N-CSRS 1 d488573dncsrs.htm EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST Eaton Vance Growth Trust

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-01241

 

 

Eaton Vance Growth Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Maureen A. Gemma

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

 

(617) 482-8260

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

November 30

Date of Fiscal Year End

May 31, 2018

Date of Reporting Period

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

 


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

Semiannual Report

May 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

LOGO


 

 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. Each Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Funds nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Funds is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, each Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial advisor. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Semiannual Report May 31, 2018

Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

Table of Contents

 

Performance and Fund Profile

  
  

Focused Global Opportunities Fund

     2  

Focused International Opportunities Fund

     3  
  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     4  

Fund Expenses

     5  

Financial Statements

     6  

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

     21  

Officers and Trustees

     24  

Important Notices

     25  


Eaton Vance

Focused Global Opportunities Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Performance1,2

 

Portfolio Manager Christopher M. Dyer, CFA, of Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd.

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     Six Months      One Year      Five Years    

Since

Inception

 

Class I at NAV

     12/17/2015        12/17/2015        3.60      11.93            9.00

MSCI World Index

                   1.84      11.57      9.40     12.28
                
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios3                                           Class I  

Gross

                   3.42

Net

 

                0.95  

Fund Profile

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)4

 

 

LOGO

 

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)4

 

 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     5.8

Diageo PLC

     4.4  

Unilever PLC

     4.2  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     4.0  

ORIX Corp.

     4.0  

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

     3.9  

Iberdrola SA

     3.7  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     3.5  

Amazon.com, Inc.

     3.4  

CDW Corp.

     3.2  

Total

     40.1
 

 

Geographic Allocation (% of net assets)

 

 

LOGO

    

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Fund’s current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. Returns are before taxes unless otherwise noted. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Focused International Opportunities Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Performance1,2

 

Portfolio Managers Christopher M. Dyer, CFA and Samantha Pandolfi, CFA, of Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd.

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     Six Months      One Year      Five Years    

Since

Inception

 

Class I at NAV

     12/16/2015        12/16/2015        1.30      8.53            7.27

MSCI EAFE Index

                   0.03      7.97      5.93     9.89
                
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios3                                           Class I  

Gross

                   3.77

Net

 

                1.00  

Fund Profile

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)4

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)4

 

 

BP PLC

     6.0

Diageo PLC

     5.0  

Unilever PLC

     4.9  

ASML Holding NV

     4.8  

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

     4.3  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

     4.2  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

     4.2  

adidas AG

     4.1  

Iberdrola SA

     4.0  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

     4.0  

Total

     45.5
 

 

Geographic Allocation (% of net assets)

 

 

LOGO

    

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Fund’s current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. Returns are before taxes unless otherwise noted. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


 

Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index of equity securities in the developed markets. MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged index of equities in the developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. MSCI indexes are net of foreign withholding taxes. Source: MSCI. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

2 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in NAV with all distributions reinvested. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares. Performance since inception for an index, if presented, is the performance since the Fund’s or oldest share class’ inception, as applicable.

 

3 

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratio reflects a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 3/31/19. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

4 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

   Fund profiles subject to change due to active management.

    

 

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (December 1, 2017 – May 31, 2018).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of each table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of each table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in each table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of each table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

Eaton Vance Focused Global Opportunities Fund

 

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(12/1/17)
     Ending
Account Value
(5/31/18)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(12/1/17 – 5/31/18)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

 

        

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,036.00      $ 4.82 **       0.95
       

Hypothetical

 

        

(5% return per year before expenses)

 

        

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.20      $ 4.78 **       0.95

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on November 30, 2017.

 

** Absent an allocation of certain expenses to affiliates, the expenses would be higher.

Eaton Vance Focused International Opportunities Fund

 

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(12/1/17)
     Ending
Account Value
(5/31/18)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(12/1/17 – 5/31/18)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

 

        

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,013.00      $ 5.07 **       1.01
       

Hypothetical

 

        

(5% return per year before expenses)

 

        

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.90      $ 5.09 **       1.01

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on November 30, 2017.

 

** Absent an allocation of certain expenses to affiliates, the expenses would be higher.

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Focused Global Opportunities Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

Common Stocks — 99.2%  
Security   Shares     Value  
Belgium — 3.9%              

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    1,880     $ 176,314  
            $ 176,314  
Denmark — 1.7%  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    1,588     $ 75,475  
            $ 75,475  
France — 1.7%  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    221     $ 76,952  
            $ 76,952  
Hong Kong — 2.3%  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    11,111     $ 101,416  
            $ 101,416  
Japan — 10.5%  

Keyence Corp.

    174     $ 106,280  

Komatsu, Ltd.

    3,200       104,408  

MISUMI Group, Inc.

    2,878       82,904  

ORIX Corp.

    10,700       178,736  
            $ 472,328  
Netherlands — 5.2%  

ASML Holding NV

    680     $ 133,485  

ING Groep NV

    6,912       100,671  
            $ 234,156  
Spain — 6.8%  

Iberdrola SA

    23,199     $ 164,745  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    4,358       137,752  
            $ 302,497  
Sweden — 5.3%  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    5,864     $ 126,066  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    3,136       113,384  
            $ 239,450  
United Kingdom — 16.1%  

Aviva PLC

    15,716     $ 106,486  

Diageo PLC

    5,400       198,414  

Melrose Industries PLC

    38,596       121,240  
Security   Shares     Value  
United Kingdom (continued)  

Prudential PLC

    3,794     $ 91,133  

Shire PLC

    333       18,181  

Unilever PLC

    3,395       187,180  
            $ 722,634  
United States — 45.7%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1)

    163     $ 179,300  

Amazon.com, Inc.(1)

    95       154,814  

Boston Scientific Corp.(1)

    3,419       103,903  

CDW Corp.

    1,807       144,650  

Ecolab, Inc.

    822       117,226  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    1,438       122,288  

Equity Residential

    898       57,463  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    3,203       260,212  

HP, Inc.

    5,022       110,635  

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)

    3,874       87,552  

OneMain Holdings, Inc.(1)

    2,161       70,297  

Sealed Air Corp.

    1,968       85,726  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    470       75,303  

Verisk Analytics, Inc.(1)

    882       93,704  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    2,895       156,301  

Xylem, Inc.

    1,920       135,168  

Zoetis, Inc.

    1,140       95,418  
            $ 2,049,960  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $4,050,205)

 

  $ 4,451,182  
Short-Term Investments — 1.1%  
Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.98%(2)

    50,458     $ 50,463  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $50,458)

 

  $ 50,463  

Total Investments — 100.3%
(identified cost $4,100,663)

 

  $ 4,501,645  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.3)%

 

  $ (11,518

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 4,490,127  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(2) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of May 31, 2018.

 

 

  6   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Global Opportunities Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

 

Sector Classification of Portfolio  
Sector   Percentage
of Net Assets
    Value  

Financials

    17.9   $ 805,040  

Industrials

    17.3       776,874  

Information Technology

    15.0       674,350  

Consumer Staples

    12.5       561,908  

Consumer Discretionary

    10.2       457,070  

Health Care

    9.3       415,265  

Energy

    5.8       260,212  

Materials

    4.5       202,952  

Utilities

    3.7       164,745  

Real Estate

    3.0       132,766  

Short-Term Investments

    1.1       50,463  

Total Investments

    100.3   $ 4,501,645  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused International Opportunities Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

Common Stocks — 98.0%  
Security   Shares     Value  
Belgium — 4.3%  

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    1,902     $ 178,377  
            $ 178,377  
Canada — 4.9%  

CAE, Inc.

    4,537     $ 95,562  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    1,230       107,385  
            $ 202,947  
Denmark — 4.2%  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    3,655     $ 173,717  
            $ 173,717  
France — 8.4%  

Legrand SA

    1,253     $ 94,489  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    503       175,144  

Societe Generale SA

    1,916       82,699  
            $ 352,332  
Germany — 7.4%              

adidas AG

    759     $ 172,170  

Bayer AG

    1,159       138,331  
            $ 310,501  
Hong Kong — 3.0%  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    13,567     $ 123,833  
            $ 123,833  
Italy — 1.4%  

UniCredit SpA

    3,609     $ 59,869  
            $ 59,869  
Japan — 16.6%  

Keyence Corp.

    203     $ 123,993  

Komatsu, Ltd.

    3,987       130,086  

MISUMI Group, Inc.

    2,933       84,488  

ORIX Corp.

    9,070       151,508  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    5,574       96,650  

SECOM Co., Ltd.

    1,400       104,097  
            $ 690,822  
Security   Shares     Value  
Netherlands — 7.7%  

ASML Holding NV

    1,019     $ 200,031  

ING Groep NV

    8,335       121,397  
            $ 321,428  
Singapore — 1.9%  

DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.

    3,849     $ 80,985  
            $ 80,985  
Spain — 8.0%  

Iberdrola SA

    23,473     $ 166,691  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    5,255       166,105  
            $ 332,796  
Sweden — 6.8%  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    7,136     $ 153,412  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    3,572       129,148  
            $ 282,560  
United Kingdom — 23.4%  

Aviva PLC

    14,250     $ 96,553  

BP PLC

    32,781       250,716  

Diageo PLC

    5,669       208,298  

Melrose Industries PLC

    37,202       116,861  

Prudential PLC

    3,213       77,178  

Shire PLC

    445       24,296  

Unilever PLC

    3,690       203,444  
            $ 977,346  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $3,685,045)

 

  $ 4,087,513  
Short-Term Investments — 2.2%  
Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.98%(1)

    92,976     $ 92,985  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $92,985)

 

  $ 92,985  

Total Investments — 100.2%
(identified cost $3,778,030)

 

  $ 4,180,498  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.2)%

 

  $ (7,882

Net Assets — 100.0%

          $ 4,172,616  
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused International Opportunities Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of May 31, 2018.

 

Sector Classification of Portfolio  
Sector   Percentage
of Net Assets
    Value  

Industrials

    21.8   $ 908,143  

Financials

    21.6       901,407  

Consumer Staples

    14.1       590,119  

Consumer Discretionary

    12.3       513,419  

Health Care

    10.4       432,994  

Information Technology

    7.8       324,024  

Energy

    6.0       250,716  

Utilities

    4.0       166,691  

Short-Term Investments

    2.2       92,985  

Total Investments

    100.2   $ 4,180,498  
 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)

 

 

     May 31, 2018  
Assets    Focused Global
Opportunities Fund
     Focused International
Opportunities Fund
 

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $4,050,205 and $3,685,045, respectively)

   $ 4,451,182      $ 4,087,513  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $50,458 and $92,985, respectively)

     50,463        92,985  

Dividends receivable

     12,558        15,682  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     205        154  

Tax reclaims receivable

     4,552        9,842  

Receivable from affiliates

     9,937        8,612  

Total assets

   $ 4,528,897      $ 4,214,788  
Liabilities                  

Payable to affiliates:

     

Investment adviser and administration fee

   $ 3,080      $ 2,894  

Trustees’ fees

     115        110  

Accrued expenses

     35,575        39,168  

Total liabilities

   $ 38,770      $ 42,172  

Net Assets

   $ 4,490,127      $ 4,172,616  
Sources of Net Assets                  

Paid-in capital

   $ 3,814,799      $ 3,626,531  

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

     27,655        39,011  

Accumulated net realized gain

     246,684        104,554  

Net unrealized appreciation

     400,989        402,520  

Total

   $ 4,490,127      $ 4,172,616  
Class I Shares                  

Net Assets

   $ 4,490,127      $ 4,172,616  

Shares Outstanding

     379,757        362,142  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

     

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 11.82      $ 11.52  

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

     Six Months Ended May 31, 2018  
Investment Income    Focused Global
Opportunities Fund
     Focused International
Opportunities Fund
 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $3,836 and $7,019, respectively)

   $ 54,790      $ 66,303  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     678        569  

Total investment income

   $ 55,468      $ 66,872  
Expenses  

Investment adviser and administration fee

   $ 17,560      $ 16,812  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     335        335  

Custodian fee

     15,289        16,524  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     112        88  

Legal and accounting services

     19,346        20,344  

Printing and postage

     2,784        2,454  

Registration fees

     9,381        9,596  

Interest expense and fees

            182  

Miscellaneous

     6,799        5,334  

Total expenses

   $ 71,606      $ 71,669  

Deduct —

     

Allocation of expenses to affiliates

   $ 50,753      $ 50,419  

Total expense reductions

   $ 50,753      $ 50,419  

Net expenses

   $ 20,853      $ 21,250  

Net investment income

   $ 34,615      $ 45,622  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)  

Net realized gain (loss) —

     

Investment transactions

   $ 251,122      $ 153,626  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     (14      10  

Foreign currency transactions

     (15      (185

Net realized gain

   $ 251,093      $ 153,451  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

     

Investments

   $ (130,880    $ (146,332

Investments — affiliated investment

     5         

Foreign currency

     (244      (286

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ (131,119    $ (146,618

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 119,974      $ 6,833  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 154,589      $ 52,455  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Six Months Ended May 31, 2018 (Unaudited)  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    Focused Global
Opportunities Fund
     Focused International
Opportunities Fund
 

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 34,615      $ 45,622  

Net realized gain

     251,093        153,451  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (131,119      (146,618

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 154,589      $ 52,455  

Distributions to shareholders —

     

From net investment income

     

Class I

   $ (43,162    $ (67,716

From net realized gain

     

Class I

     (110,203       

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (153,365    $ (67,716

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class I

   $ 130,435      $ 2,750  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class I

     153,365        67,716  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class I

     (37,106       

Net increase in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ 246,694      $ 70,466  

Net increase in net assets

   $ 247,918      $ 55,205  
Net Assets                  

At beginning of period

   $ 4,242,209      $ 4,117,411  

At end of period

   $ 4,490,127      $ 4,172,616  
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
included in net assets
                 

At end of period

   $ 27,655      $ 39,011  

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets — continued

 

 

     Year Ended November 30, 2017  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    Focused Global
Opportunities Fund
     Focused International
Opportunities Fund
 

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 39,139      $ 61,345  

Net realized gain

     180,019        112,519  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     556,260        656,419  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 775,418      $ 830,283  

Distributions to shareholders —

     

From net investment income

     

Class I

   $ (28,824    $ (48,325

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (28,824    $ (48,325

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class I

   $ 358,777      $ 7,000  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class I

     28,824        48,325  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class I

     (351,026      (2,201

Net increase in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ 36,575      $ 53,124  

Net increase in net assets

   $ 783,169      $ 835,082  
Net Assets                  

At beginning of year

   $ 3,459,040      $ 3,282,329  

At end of year

   $ 4,242,209      $ 4,117,411  
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
included in net assets
                 

At end of year

   $ 36,202      $ 61,105  

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Focused Global Opportunities Fund — Class I  
      Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
November 30, 2017
    

Period Ended

November 30,  2016(1)

 

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 11.830      $ 9.790      $ 10.000  
Income (Loss) From Operations                           

Net investment income(2)

   $ 0.093      $ 0.106      $ 0.082  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.324        2.016        (0.292

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 0.417      $ 2.122      $ (0.210
Less Distributions                           

From net investment income

   $ (0.120    $ (0.082    $  

From net realized gain

     (0.307              

Total distributions

   $ (0.427    $ (0.082    $  

Net asset value — End of period

   $ 11.820      $ 11.830      $ 9.790  

Total Return(3)(4)

     3.60 %(5)       21.83      (2.10 )%(5)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data                           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 4,490      $ 4,242      $ 3,459  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

        

Expenses(4)

     0.95 %(6)       0.95      0.95 %(6) 

Net investment income

     1.58 %(6)       0.98      0.89 %(6) 

Portfolio Turnover

     49 %(5)       74      78 %(5) 

 

(1) 

For the period from the start of business, December 17, 2015, to November 30, 2016.

 

(2) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(3) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(4) 

The investment adviser and administrator and sub-adviser reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 2.31%, 2.47% and 3.51% of average daily net assets for the six months ended May 31, 2018, the year ended November 30, 2017 and the period from the start of business, December 17, 2015, to November 30, 2016, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(5) 

Not annualized.

 

(6) 

Annualized.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Focused International Opportunities Fund — Class I  
      Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
   

Year Ended

November 30, 2017

     Period Ended
November 30, 2016
(1)
 

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 11.560     $ 9.370      $ 10.000  
Income (Loss) From Operations                          

Net investment income(2)

   $ 0.126     $ 0.173      $ 0.146  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.024       2.155        (0.776

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 0.150     $ 2.328      $ (0.630
Less Distributions                          

From net investment income

   $ (0.190   $ (0.138    $  

Total distributions

   $ (0.190   $ (0.138    $  

Net asset value — End of period

   $ 11.520     $ 11.560      $ 9.370  

Total Return(3)(4)

     1.30 %(5)      25.19      (6.30 )%(5)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data                          

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 4,173     $ 4,117      $ 3,282  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

       

Expenses(4)

     1.01 %(6)(7)      1.00      1.00 %(6) 

Net investment income

     2.17 %(6)      1.64      1.59 %(6) 

Portfolio Turnover

     65 %(5)      56      55 %(5) 

 

(1) 

For the period from the start of business, December 16, 2015, to November 30, 2016.

 

(2) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(3) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(4) 

The investment adviser and administrator and sub-adviser reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 2.40%, 2.77% and 3.64% of average daily net assets for the six months ended May 31, 2018, the year ended November 30, 2017 and the period from the start of business, December 16, 2015, to November 30, 2016, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(5) 

Not annualized.

 

(6) 

Annualized.

 

(7) 

Includes interest expense of 0.01%.

 

  15   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Focused Global Opportunities Fund (Focused Global Opportunities Fund) and Eaton Vance Focused International Opportunities Fund (Focused International Opportunities Fund), (each individually referred to as the Fund, and collectively, the Funds), are diversified series of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Funds’ investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. Each Fund offers Class I shares, which are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Funds. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Each Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices therefore on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and asked prices.

Foreign Securities and Currencies. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Funds’ Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities.

Affiliated Fund. The Funds may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of a Fund in a manner that fairly reflects the security’s value, or the amount that a Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial condition, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as a Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Distributions from investment companies are recorded as dividend income, capital gains or return of capital based on the nature of the distribution. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount.

D  Federal Taxes — Each Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of May 31, 2018, the Funds had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. Each Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

F  Foreign Currency Translation — Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

G  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

H  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, each Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against each Fund that have not yet occurred.

I  Interim Financial Statements — The interim financial statements relating to May 31, 2018 and for the six months then ended have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of the Funds’ management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of each Fund to make at least one distribution annually (normally in December) of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of a Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

At November 30, 2017, Focused International Opportunities Fund, for federal income tax purposes, had deferred capital losses of $40,315 which would reduce its taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investment transactions, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, and thus would reduce the amount of distributions to shareholders, which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income or excise tax. The deferred capital losses are treated as arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, retaining the same short-term or long-term character as when originally deferred. Of the deferred capital losses at November 30, 2017, $40,315 are short-term.

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of each Fund at May 31, 2018, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

     

Focused

Global
Opportunities

Fund

    

Focused

International
Opportunities

Fund

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 4,109,303      $ 3,793,150  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 513,680      $ 538,419  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (121,338      (151,071

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 392,342      $ 387,348  

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

3  Investment Adviser and Administration Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser and administration fee is earned by EVM as compensation for investment advisory and administrative services rendered to each Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.80% of each Fund’s average daily net assets up to $500 million and is payable monthly. On net assets of $500 million and over, the annual fee is reduced. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, investment adviser and administration fees incurred by the Funds and the effective annual rates, as a percentage of average daily net assets, were as follows:

 

     

Focused

Global
Opportunities

Fund

    

Focused

International
Opportunities

Fund

 

Investment Adviser and Administration Fee

   $ 17,560      $ 16,812  

Effective Annual Rate

     0.80      0.80

Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, EVM pays Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (EVAIL), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., a portion of its investment adviser and administration fee for sub-advisory services provided to each Fund. The Funds invest their cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

EVM and EVAIL have agreed to reimburse each Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only and excluding such expenses as interest, taxes or litigation expenses) exceed 0.95% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets for Class I of Focused Global Opportunities Fund and Focused International Opportunities Fund, respectively. These agreements may be changed or terminated after March 31, 2019. Pursuant to these agreements, EVM and EVAIL were allocated $50,753 and $50,419 in total of operating expenses of Focused Global Opportunities Fund and Focused International Opportunities Fund, respectively, for the six months ended May 31, 2018.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Funds pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. Sub-transfer agent fees earned by EVM, which are included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statements of Operations, for the six months ended May 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

      Focused
Global
Opportunities
Fund
     Focused
International
Opportunities
Fund
 

EVM’s Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

   $ 51      $ 43  

Trustees and officers of the Funds who are members of EVM’s organization receive remuneration for their services to the Funds out of the investment adviser and administration fee. Trustees of the Funds who are not affiliated with EVM may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Funds are officers of EVM.

4  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the six months ended May 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

      Focused
Global
Opportunities
Fund
     Focused
International
Opportunities
Fund
 

Purchases

   $ 2,216,319      $ 2,695,131  

Sales

   $ 2,150,073      $ 2,708,486  

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

5  Shares of Beneficial Interest

Each Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

Focused Global Opportunities Fund

             
Class I    Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
November 30, 2017
 

Sales

     10,944        33,226  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     13,255        2,912  

Redemptions

     (3,150      (30,599

Net increase

     21,049        5,539  

 

Focused International Opportunities Fund

             
Class I    Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
November 30, 2017
 

Sales

     240        634  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     5,878        5,157  

Redemptions

            (205

Net increase

     6,118        5,586  

At May 31, 2018, EVM owned 96.3% of the outstanding shares of Focused Global Opportunities Fund and 99.7% of the outstanding shares of Focused International Opportunities Fund.

6  Line of Credit

The Funds participate with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in a $625 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 30, 2018. Borrowings are made by the Funds solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to each Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Funds, a Fund may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Focused Global Opportunities Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the six months ended May 31, 2018. Average borrowings and the average interest rate (excluding fees) for the six months May 31, 2018 were $14,835 and 2.46%, respectively, for Focused International Opportunities Fund.

7  Risks Associated with Foreign Investments

Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Certain foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on the removal of funds or other assets of a Fund, political or financial instability or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets, broker/dealers and issuers than in the United States.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

8  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At May 31, 2018, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Funds’ investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Focused Global Opportunities Fund

                           
Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

           

Asia/Pacific

   $      $ 573,744      $         —      $ 573,744  

Developed Europe

            1,827,478               1,827,478  

North America

     2,049,960                      2,049,960  

Total Common Stocks

   $ 2,049,960      $ 2,401,222    $      $ 4,451,182  

Short-Term Investments

   $      $ 50,463      $      $ 50,463  

Total Investments

   $ 2,049,960      $ 2,451,685      $      $ 4,501,645  

 

* Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets.

 

Focused International Opportunities Fund

                           
Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

           

Asia/Pacific

   $      $ 895,640      $         —      $ 895,640  

Developed Europe

            2,988,926               2,988,926  

North America

     202,947                      202,947  

Total Common Stocks

   $ 202,947      $ 3,884,566    $      $ 4,087,513  

Short-Term Investments

   $      $ 92,985      $      $ 92,985  

Total Investments

   $ 202,947      $ 3,977,551      $      $ 4,180,498  

 

* Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets.

At May 31, 2018, there were no investments transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the six months then ended.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

 

 

Overview of the Contract Review Process

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), provides, in substance, that each investment advisory agreement between a fund and its investment adviser will continue in effect from year to year only if its continuation is approved at least annually by the fund’s board of trustees, including by a vote of a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the fund (“Independent Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval.

At a meeting of the Boards of Trustees (each a “Board”) of the registered investment companies advised by either Eaton Vance Management or its affiliate, Boston Management and Research, (the “Eaton Vance Funds”) held on April 24, 2018, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of existing investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements for the Eaton Vance Funds for an additional one-year period. In voting its approval, the Board relied upon the affirmative recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished by each adviser to the Eaton Vance Funds (including information specifically requested by the Board) for a series of meetings of the Contract Review Committee held between February and April 2018. The Contract Review Committee also considered information received at prior meetings of the Board and its committees, as relevant to its annual evaluation of the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.

The information that the Board considered included, among other things, the following (for funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolio(s), references to “each fund” in this section may include information that was considered at the portfolio-level):

Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing the advisory and related fees paid by each fund with fees paid by comparable funds as identified by the independent data provider (“comparable funds”);

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing each fund’s total expense ratio and its components to comparable funds;

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each fund (including, where relevant, yield data, Sharpe ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds over various time periods;

 

 

Data regarding investment performance in comparison to benchmark indices, as well as customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by the adviser in consultation with the Board;

 

 

For each fund, comparative information concerning the fees charged and the services provided by each adviser in managing other accounts (including mutual funds, other collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such fund;

 

 

Profitability analyses for each adviser with respect to each fund;

Information about Portfolio Management and Trading

 

 

Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, including the fund’s investment strategies and policies;

 

 

The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of fund assets and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes;

 

 

Information about each adviser’s policies and practices with respect to trading, including each adviser’s processes for monitoring best execution of portfolio transactions;

 

 

Information about the allocation of brokerage transactions and the benefits received by each adviser as a result of brokerage allocation, including information concerning the acquisition of research through client commission arrangements and policies with respect to “soft dollars”;

 

 

Data relating to portfolio turnover rates of each fund;

Information about each Adviser

 

 

Reports detailing the financial results and condition of each adviser;

 

 

Descriptions of the qualifications, education and experience of the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the funds, and information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts;

 

 

The Code of Ethics of each adviser and its affiliates, together with information relating to compliance with and the administration of such codes;

 

 

Policies and procedures relating to proxy voting and the handling of corporate actions and class actions;

 

 

Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by each adviser and its affiliates (including descriptions of various compliance programs) and their record of compliance;

 

 

Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of each adviser and its affiliates;

 

 

A description of Eaton Vance Management’s procedures for overseeing third party advisers and sub-advisers, including with respect to regulatory and compliance issues, investment management and other matters;

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

Other Relevant Information

 

 

Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates;

 

 

Information concerning management of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by each adviser or the funds’ administrator; and

 

 

The terms of each investment advisory agreement.

Over the course of the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2018, with respect to one or more funds, the Board met seven times and the Contract Review Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee and the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee, each of which is a Committee comprised solely of Independent Trustees, met seven, thirteen, six, eight and nine times, respectively. At such meetings, the Trustees participated in investment and performance reviews with the portfolio managers and other investment professionals of each investment adviser relating to each fund, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing each fund’s investment objective, such as the use of derivative instruments, as well as risk management techniques. The Board and its Committees also evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the funds, and received and participated in reports and presentations provided by Eaton Vance Management and other fund advisers with respect to such matters. In addition to the formal meetings of the Board and its Committees, the Independent Trustees hold regular teleconferences in between meetings to discuss, among other topics, matters relating to the continuation of investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.

For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, the Board considered similar information about the portfolio(s) when considering the approval of investment advisory agreements. In addition, in cases where the fund’s investment adviser has engaged a sub-adviser, the Board considered similar information about the sub-adviser when considering the approval of any sub-advisory agreement.

The Contract Review Committee was assisted throughout the contract review process by Goodwin Procter LLP, independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee relied upon the advice of such counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each member of the Contract Review Committee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement. In evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement, including the specific fee structures and other terms of the agreements, the Contract Review Committee was informed by multiple years of analysis and discussion among the Independent Trustees and the Eaton Vance Funds’ advisers and sub-advisers.

Results of the Process

Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information as it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described below, the Contract Review Committee concluded that the continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreements of Eaton Vance Focused Global Opportunities Fund and Eaton Vance Focused International Opportunities Fund (together, the “Funds”) with Eaton Vance Management (the “Adviser”) and the sub-advisory agreements with Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (the “Sub-adviser”), an affiliate of the Adviser, including their fee structures, is in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of each agreement. The Board accepted the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee based on the material factors considered and conclusions reached by the Contract Review Committee with respect to each agreement. Accordingly, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreement and the sub-advisory agreement for each Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In considering whether to approve the investment advisory and administrative agreements and the sub-advisory agreements of the Funds, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser.

The Board considered the Adviser’s and the Sub-adviser’s management capabilities and investment process with respect to the types of investments held by each Fund, including the education, experience and number of its investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Funds. With respect to the Adviser, the Board considered the Adviser’s responsibilities overseeing the Sub-adviser, as well as the coordination between the Adviser and the Sub-adviser on research and other investment matters. With respect to the Sub-adviser, the Board considered the resources available to the Sub-adviser in fulfilling its duties under the sub-advisory agreement and the Sub-adviser’s abilities and experience in implementing each Fund’s investment strategy. In particular, the Board considered the abilities and experience of the Sub-adviser’s investment professionals in investing in equity securities, including investing in both U.S. and foreign common stocks. The Board considered the international investment capabilities of the Sub-adviser, which is based in London, and the benefits to the Funds of having portfolio management services involving investments in international equities provided by investment professionals located abroad. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, as well as the compensation methods of the Adviser and other factors, such as the reputation and resources of the Adviser to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals. In addition, the Board considered the time and attention devoted to the Eaton Vance Funds, including each Fund, by senior management, as well as the infrastructure, operational

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the portfolio management and operations of the Funds, including the provision of administrative services. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to which the Adviser or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Funds.

The Board considered the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser. Among other matters, the Board considered compliance and reporting matters relating to personal trading by investment professionals, selective disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also considered the responses of the Adviser and its affiliates to requests in recent years from regulatory authorities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The Board considered shareholder and other administrative services provided or managed by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and investment disciplines, including the ability, in many cases, to exchange an investment among different funds without incurring additional sales charges.

After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory and administrative agreements and the sub-advisory agreements.

Fund Performance

The Board compared each Fund’s investment performance to that of comparable funds and appropriate benchmark indices, as well as a customized peer group of similarly managed funds. In light of each Fund’s relatively brief operating history, the Board concluded that additional time is required to evaluate Fund performance.

Management Fees and Expenses

The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by each Fund for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as “management fees”). As part of its review, the Board considered each Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio for the one year period ended September 30, 2017, as compared to those of comparable funds, before and after giving effect to any undertaking to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Board also considered factors that had an impact on Fund expense ratios relative to comparable funds.

After considering the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable.

Profitability and Other “Fall-Out” Benefits

The Board considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser, in providing investment advisory and administrative services to each Fund and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to marketing support or other payments by the Adviser and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution services. The Board also considered other direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, in connection with their relationships with the Funds, including the benefits of research services that may be available to the Adviser or the Sub-adviser as a result of securities transactions effected for the Funds and other investment advisory clients.

The Board concluded that, in light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, are deemed not to be excessive.

Economies of Scale

In reviewing management fees and profitability, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and each Fund, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of each Fund increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from economies of scale, if any, with respect to the management of any specific fund or group of funds. The Board reviewed data summarizing the increases and decreases in the assets of each Fund and of all Eaton Vance Funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of each Fund and the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates may have been affected by such increases or decreases. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that each Fund currently shares in any benefits from economies of scale. The Board also concluded that, assuming reasonably foreseeable increases in the assets of each Fund, the structure of the advisory fee, which includes breakpoints at several asset levels, will allow each Fund to continue to benefit from any economies of scale in the future.

 

  23  


Eaton Vance

Focused Opportunities Funds

May 31, 2018

 

Officers and Trustees

 

 

Officers of Eaton Vance Focused Opportunities Funds

 

 

Payson F. Swaffield

President

Maureen A. Gemma

Vice President, Secretary and

Chief Legal Officer

James F. Kirchner

Treasurer

Richard F. Froio

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

Trustees of Eaton Vance Focused Opportunities Funds

 

 

William H. Park

Chairperson

Thomas E. Faust Jr.*

Mark R. Fetting

Cynthia E. Frost

George J. Gorman

Valerie A. Mosley

Helen Frame Peters

Susan J. Sutherland

Harriett Tee Taggart

Scott E. Wennerholm

 

 

* Interested Trustee

 

  24  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each of the financial institutions identified below has in effect the following policy (“Privacy Policy”) with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:

 

 

Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Eaton Vance fund transactions will be collected. This may include information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account balances and transactions.

 

 

None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). In the normal course of servicing a customer’s account, Eaton Vance may share information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various required services such as transfer agents, custodians and broker-dealers.

 

 

Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy at any time upon proper notification to you. Customers may want to review our Privacy Policy periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of privacy applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group and Boston Management and Research. In addition, our Privacy Policy applies only to those Eaton Vance customers who are individuals and who have a direct relationship with us. If a customer’s account (i.e., fund shares) is held in the name of a third-party financial advisor/broker-dealer, it is likely that only such advisor’s privacy policies apply to the customer. This notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about Eaton Vance’s Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial advisor, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial advisor, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial advisor. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial advisor.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) will file a schedule of portfolio holdings on Form N-Q with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-Q will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the public reference room).

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  25  


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Investment Adviser and Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Investment Sub-Adviser

Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd.

125 Old Broad Street

London, EC2N 1AR

United Kingdom

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
* FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


LOGO

22293    5.31.18


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

Semiannual Report

May 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial advisor. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Semiannual Report May 31, 2018

Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

Table of Contents

 

Performance

     2  

Fund Profile

     2  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     3  

Fund Expenses

     4  

Financial Statements

     5  

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

     18  

Officers and Trustees

     21  

Important Notices

     22  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Performance1,2

 

Portfolio Manager Aidan M. Farrell, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd.

 

% Average Annual Total Returns    Class
Inception Date
     Performance
Inception Date
     Six Months      One Year      Five Years     Since
Inception
 

Class A at NAV

     12/16/2015        12/16/2015        3.17      16.62            15.28

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   –2.76        9.87              12.53  

Class I at NAV

     12/16/2015        12/16/2015        3.26        16.89              15.55  

MSCI World ex USA Small Cap Index

                   3.20      14.20      9.77     14.62
                
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios3                                    Class A     Class I  

Gross

                 2.37     2.12

Net

                 1.40       1.15  

Fund Profile

 

Common Stock Sector Allocation (% of net assets)

 

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)4

 

 

DS Smith PLC

     1.5

Nohmi Bosai, Ltd.

     1.4  

Sakata Seed Corp.

     1.4  

Melrose Industries PLC

     1.4  

Amer Sports Oyj

     1.4  

Indutrade AB

     1.3  

Trelleborg AB, Class B

     1.2  

IMCD NV

     1.2  

Okamura Corp.

     1.2  

Hiscox, Ltd.

     1.1  

Total

     13.1
 

 

Geographic Allocation (% of net assets)5

 

 

 

LOGO

    

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Fund’s current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. Returns are before taxes unless otherwise noted. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

MSCI World ex USA Small Cap Index is an unmanaged index of small-cap equity securities in the developed markets, excluding the United States. MSCI indexes are net of foreign withholding taxes. Source: MSCI. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

2 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares. Performance since inception for an index, if presented, is the performance since the Fund’s or oldest share class’ inception, as applicable.

 

3 

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratio reflects a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 3/31/19. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

4 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

5 

The Fund may obtain exposure to certain market segments through investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). For purposes of the chart, the Fund’s investments in ETFs are included based on the portfolio composition of each ETF.

 

   Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

    

 

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (December 1, 2017 – May 31, 2018).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(12/1/17)
     Ending
Account Value
(5/31/18)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(12/1/17 – 5/31/18)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,031.70      $ 7.09 **       1.40

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,032.60      $ 5.83 **       1.15
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.00      $ 7.04 **       1.40

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.20      $ 5.79 **       1.15

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on November 30, 2017.

 

** Absent an allocation of certain expenses to affiliates, expenses would be higher.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

Common Stocks — 97.3%  
Security   Shares     Value  
Australia — 4.5%  

Challenger, Ltd.

    45,837     $ 444,790  

Evolution Mining, Ltd.

    46,892       115,476  

GDI Property Group

    265,893       264,134  

IOOF Holdings, Ltd.

    30,003       197,954  

National Storage REIT(1)

    141,754       169,508  

Northern Star Resources, Ltd.

    20,728       98,202  

OZ Minerals, Ltd.

    14,934       110,752  

Regis Resources, Ltd.

    30,904       110,565  

Saracen Mineral Holdings, Ltd.(1)

    60,170       98,094  

Super Retail Group, Ltd.

    22,242       142,502  
            $ 1,751,977  
Austria — 1.5%  

ams AG

    2,085     $ 180,022  

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG

    11,683       409,346  
            $ 589,368  
Belgium — 2.1%  

Kinepolis Group NV

    3,446     $ 225,879  

Melexis NV

    2,835       283,018  

Montea SCA

    3,067       160,835  

X-Fab Silicon Foundries SE(1)(2)

    15,382       161,967  
            $ 831,699  
Canada — 8.6%  

Allied Properties REIT

    5,555     $ 182,125  

CAE, Inc.

    18,346       386,418  

CES Energy Solutions Corp.

    74,744       308,983  

Detour Gold Corp.(1)

    11,245       88,895  

Encana Corp.

    14,061       178,935  

Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust

    15,892       186,547  

Kinaxis, Inc.(1)

    5,030       330,756  

Kirkland Lake Gold, Ltd.

    6,637       122,032  

Laurentian Bank of Canada

    8,378       292,060  

Linamar Corp.

    3,608       180,650  

Lundin Mining Corp.

    10,684       66,991  

North West Co., Inc. (The)

    9,712       210,179  

Pan American Silver Corp.

    6,996       123,668  

Quebecor, Inc., Class B

    18,331       353,585  

Seven Generations Energy, Ltd., Class A(1)

    19,451       251,726  

Source Energy Services, Ltd.(1)

    28,976       108,833  
            $ 3,372,383  
Security   Shares     Value  
China — 1.0%  

CITIC Telecom International Holdings, Ltd.

    676,744     $ 192,871  

Yanlord Land Group, Ltd.

    172,005       216,462  
            $ 409,333  
Denmark — 1.7%  

SimCorp A/S

    4,786     $ 387,585  

Topdanmark A/S

    6,056       271,567  
            $ 659,152  
Finland — 2.3%  

Amer Sports Oyj

    16,489     $ 533,661  

Technopolis Oyj

    76,006       354,649  
            $ 888,310  
France — 3.2%  

Ipsen SA

    1,232     $ 195,505  

Kaufman & Broad SA

    3,603       169,402  

Mediawan SA(1)

    10,297       163,496  

Metropole Television SA

    14,924       315,451  

Rubis SCA

    5,657       398,740  
            $ 1,242,594  
Germany — 6.6%  

Axel Springer SE

    3,697     $ 268,653  

Basler AG

    737       156,381  

Brenntag AG

    7,731       445,238  

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

    5,594       387,223  

Freenet AG

    5,028       144,337  

Fuchs Petrolub SE

    6,103       306,429  

LEG Immobilien AG

    1,937       212,316  

Norma Group SE

    3,914       299,081  

Rational AG

    447       279,563  

Salzgitter AG

    1,964       100,511  
            $ 2,599,732  
Hong Kong — 1.8%  

Hysan Development Co., Ltd.

    75,031     $ 432,864  

Johnson Electric Holdings, Ltd.

    94,252       287,571  
            $ 720,435  
Ireland — 0.9%  

UDG Healthcare PLC

    29,694     $ 354,523  
            $ 354,523  
 

 

  5   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Israel — 0.4%  

Frutarom Industries, Ltd.

    1,608     $ 157,169  
            $ 157,169  
Italy — 4.9%  

Amplifon SpA

    17,936     $ 325,164  

Banca Generali SpA

    13,032       317,111  

DiaSorin SpA

    2,952       285,057  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

    27,715       276,410  

MARR SpA

    15,838       423,633  

Moncler SpA

    6,642       304,666  
            $ 1,932,041  
Japan — 28.2%  

77 Bank, Ltd. (The)

    15,575     $ 345,447  

Ariake Japan Co., Ltd.

    3,740       323,241  

Asahi Co., Ltd.

    35,460       430,500  

Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd.

    7,990       285,787  

Asics Corp.

    17,830       295,950  

Daiichikosho Co., Ltd.

    8,971       417,855  

Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.

    3,995       125,603  

Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.

    15,985       360,243  

FP Corp.

    7,490       433,722  

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    7,800       305,989  

GLP J-REIT

    257       287,062  

GMO Internet, Inc.

    5,858       156,097  

H.I.S. Co., Ltd.

    9,741       335,670  

Invesco Office J REIT, Inc.

    2,678       363,162  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

    386       287,571  

Like Co., Ltd.

    10,575       205,051  

Morinaga & Co., Ltd.

    4,990       247,004  

Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co., Ltd.

    37,525       87,015  

Nishi-Nippon Financial Holdings, Inc.

    26,045       301,861  

Nohmi Bosai, Ltd.

    23,260       563,878  

Nomura Co., Ltd.

    14,900       320,373  

Okamura Corp.

    30,480       457,397  

OYO Corp.

    22,955       307,443  

Penta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd.

    49,327       319,914  

Press Kogyo Co., Ltd.

    54,350       297,957  

Relia, Inc.

    14,055       199,325  

Sac’s Bar Holdings, Inc.

    20,720       197,746  

Sakata INX Corp.

    10,864       152,537  

Sakata Seed Corp.

    14,975       560,701  

Sanden Holdings Corp.(1)

    23,430       311,759  

Sumco Corp.

    11,019       266,035  

Toho Co., Ltd.

    8,221       284,437  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

Tokyo Century Corp.

    5,855     $ 350,779  

Tosei Corp.

    16,944       212,615  

UACJ Corp.

    2,095       47,511  

Yamaha Corp.

    5,980       310,997  

Yokohama Reito Co., Ltd.

    34,955       342,192  
            $ 11,098,426  
Luxembourg — 0.2%  

APERAM SA

    2,008     $ 93,154  
            $ 93,154  
Netherlands — 2.3%  

Aalberts Industries NV

    8,238     $ 402,936  

IMCD NV

    7,788       482,923  
            $ 885,859  
Norway — 1.1%  

Europris ASA(2)

    70,144     $ 223,412  

SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA

    21,006       201,413  
            $ 424,825  
Singapore — 0.6%  

Keppel REIT

    278,580     $ 243,496  
            $ 243,496  
Spain — 0.4%  

Acciona SA

    2,318     $ 175,570  
            $ 175,570  
Sweden — 5.3%  

Avanza Bank Holding AB

    3,835     $ 193,155  

Boliden AB

    3,312       116,795  

Bufab AB

    22,229       298,356  

Husqvarna AB, Class B

    36,853       362,459  

Indutrade AB

    20,734       513,030  

SSAB AB, Class B

    24,046       102,817  

Trelleborg AB, Class B

    22,171       485,621  
            $ 2,072,233  
Switzerland — 3.9%  

Belimo Holding AG

    51     $ 214,494  

Bossard Holding AG, Class A

    1,424       287,530  

Galenica AG(2)

    5,720       312,129  
 

 

  6   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Switzerland (continued)  

Logitech International SA

    7,286     $ 297,583  

Vontobel Holding AG

    3,690       247,715  

VZ Holding AG

    525       157,726  
            $ 1,517,177  
United Kingdom — 15.2%  

Abcam PLC

    14,277     $ 230,292  

Bellway PLC

    5,718       249,383  

Bodycote PLC

    21,183       278,977  

Cairn Energy PLC(1)

    133,019       406,715  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

    9,404       348,300  

DS Smith PLC

    77,753       570,707  

Grainger PLC

    75,307       305,662  

Halma PLC

    24,740       443,479  

Hansteen Holdings PLC

    123,667       174,542  

Hastings Group Holdings PLC(2)

    51,481       175,468  

Hiscox, Ltd.

    22,458       447,704  

Inchcape PLC

    26,794       260,413  

Melrose Industries PLC

    176,231       553,587  

Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC

    39,197       165,028  

Sirius Real Estate, Ltd.

    254,028       224,845  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    4,338       356,034  

St. James’s Place PLC

    21,570       341,124  

Weir Group PLC (The)

    6,049       175,635  

WH Smith PLC

    10,345       266,339  
            $ 5,974,234  
United States — 0.6%  

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    9,478     $ 225,861  
            $ 225,861  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $35,464,307)

 

  $ 38,219,551  
Exchange-Traded Funds — 1.2%  
Security   Shares     Value  
Equity Funds — 1.2%  

iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF

    14,686     $ 381,689  

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF

    2,825       74,665  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(identified cost $436,208)

 

  $ 456,354  
Short-Term Investments — 0.7%  
Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.98%(3)

    289,800     $ 289,829  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $289,807)

 

  $ 289,829  

Total Investments — 99.2%
(identified cost $36,190,322)

 

  $ 38,965,734  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.8%

 

  $ 333,469  

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 39,299,203  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(2) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be sold in certain transactions in reliance on an exemption from registration (normally to qualified institutional buyers). At May 31, 2018, the aggregate value of these securities is $872,976 or 2.2% of the Fund’s net assets.

 

(3) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of May 31, 2018.

 

Sector Classification of Portfolio  
Sector   Percentage
of Net Assets
    Value  

Industrials

    19.2   $ 7,556,497  

Consumer Discretionary

    17.6       6,902,822  

Real Estate

    11.9       4,687,741  

Financials

    11.6       4,562,284  

Materials

    9.0       3,534,634  

Information Technology

    8.6       3,391,829  

Health Care

    7.8       3,084,223  

Consumer Staples

    5.4       2,106,950  

Energy

    3.8       1,481,053  

Utilities

    1.5       574,310  

Exchange-Traded Funds

    1.2       456,354  

Telecommunication Services

    0.9       337,208  

Short-Term Investments

    0.7       289,829  

Total Investments

    99.2   $ 38,965,734  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets    May 31, 2018  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $35,900,515)

   $ 38,675,905  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $289,807)

     289,829  

Foreign currency, at value (identified cost, $10,019)

     10,026  

Dividends receivable

     125,841  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     1,091  

Receivable for investments sold

     534,652  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     17,788  

Tax reclaims receivable

     39,136  

Receivable from affiliates

     16,985  

Total assets

   $ 39,711,253  
Liabilities  

Payable for investments purchased

   $ 297,420  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     30,368  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser and administration fee

     30,468  

Distribution and service fees

     653  

Trustees’ fees

     326  

Accrued expenses

     52,815  

Total liabilities

   $ 412,050  

Net Assets

   $ 39,299,203  
Sources of Net Assets  

Paid-in capital

   $ 35,559,604  

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

     20,312  

Accumulated net realized gain

     946,962  

Net unrealized appreciation

     2,772,325  

Total

   $ 39,299,203  
Class A Shares  

Net Assets

   $ 3,014,551  

Shares Outstanding

     225,028  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 13.40  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 14.22  
Class I Shares  

Net Assets

   $ 36,284,652  

Shares Outstanding

     2,699,885  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 13.44  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment Income   

Six Months Ended

May 31, 2018

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $60,542)

   $ 565,370  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     6,117  

Total investment income

   $ 571,487  
Expenses         

Investment adviser and administration fee

   $ 162,955  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     2,298  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     1,120  

Custodian fee

     37,719  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     3,292  

Legal and accounting services

     20,194  

Printing and postage

     4,216  

Registration fees

     15,566  

Miscellaneous

     8,150  

Total expenses

   $ 255,510  

Deduct —

 

Allocation of expenses to affiliates

   $ 43,291  

Total expense reductions

   $ 43,291  

Net expenses

   $ 212,219  

Net investment income

   $ 359,268  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)  

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 970,426  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     221  

Foreign currency transactions

     (13,320

Net realized gain

   $ 957,327  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ (56,049

Investments — affiliated investment

     22  

Foreign currency

     (5,568

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ (61,595

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 895,732  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 1,255,000  

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   

Six Months Ended

May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)

    

Year Ended

November 30, 2017

 

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 359,268      $ 91,296  

Net realized gain

     957,327        924,603  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (61,595      2,898,188  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 1,255,000      $ 3,914,087  

Distributions to shareholders —

     

From net investment income

     

Class A

   $ (25,349    $ (224

Class I

     (503,782      (248,742

From net realized gain

     

Class A

     (32,324       

Class I

     (632,988       

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (1,194,443    $ (248,966

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class A

   $ 2,940,163      $ 310,079  

Class I

     20,593,355        1,594,480  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class A

     57,673        224  

Class I

     988,661        248,742  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class A

     (303,292       

Class I

     (869,389       

Net increase in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ 23,407,171      $ 2,153,525  

Net increase in net assets

   $ 23,467,728      $ 5,818,646  
Net Assets  

At beginning of period

   $ 15,831,475      $ 10,012,829  

At end of period

   $ 39,299,203      $ 15,831,475  
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
included in net assets
 

At end of period

   $ 20,312      $ 190,175  

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
      Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
November 30, 2017
     Period Ended
November 30, 2016
(1)
 

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 13.440      $ 9.990      $ 10.000  
Income (Loss) From Operations           

Net investment income(2)

   $ 0.161      $ 0.004      $ 0.169  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.258        3.670        (0.176

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 0.419      $ 3.674      $ (0.007
Less Distributions           

From net investment income

   $ (0.202    $ (0.224    $ (0.003

From net realized gain

     (0.257              

Total distributions

   $ (0.459    $ (0.224    $ (0.003

Net asset value — End of Period

   $ 13.400      $ 13.440      $ 9.990  

Total Return(3)(4)

     3.17 %(5)       37.57      (0.07 )%(5)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 3,015      $ 349      $ 10  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

        

Expenses(4)

     1.40 %(6)       1.40      1.40 %(6) 

Net investment income

     2.40 %(6)       0.03      1.76 %(6) 

Portfolio Turnover

     31 %(5)       65      78 %(5) 

 

(1) 

For the period from the start of business, December 16, 2015, to November 30, 2016.

 

(2) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(3) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(4) 

The investment adviser and administrator and sub-adviser reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.24%, 0.97% and 1.59% of average daily net assets for the six months ended May 31, 2018, the year ended November 30, 2017 and the period from the start of business, December 16, 2015, to November 30, 2016, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(5) 

Not annualized.

 

(6) 

Annualized.

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
      Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
November 30, 2017
     Period Ended
November 30, 2016
(1)
 

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 13.470      $ 10.010      $ 10.000  
Income (Loss) From Operations           

Net investment income(2)

   $ 0.131      $ 0.087      $ 0.194  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.301        3.622        (0.180

Total income from operations

   $ 0.432      $ 3.709      $ 0.014  
Less Distributions           

From net investment income

   $ (0.205    $ (0.249    $ (0.004

From net realized gain

     (0.257              

Total distributions

   $ (0.462    $ (0.249    $ (0.004

Net asset value — End of period

   $ 13.440      $ 13.470      $ 10.010  

Total Return(3)(4)

     3.26 %(5)       37.94      0.14 %(5) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 36,285      $ 15,483      $ 10,003  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

        

Expenses(4)

     1.15 %(6)       1.15      1.15 %(6) 

Net investment income

     1.95 %(6)       0.75      2.01 %(6) 

Portfolio Turnover

     31 %(5)       65      78 %(5) 

 

(1) 

For the period from the start of business, December 16, 2015, to November 30, 2016.

 

(2) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(3) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(4) 

The investment adviser and administrator and sub-adviser reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.24%, 0.97% and 1.59% of average daily net assets for the six months ended May 31, 2018, the year ended November 30, 2017 and the period from the start of business, December 16, 2015, to November 30, 2016, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(5) 

Not annualized.

 

(6) 

Annualized.

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance International Small-Cap Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund commenced operations on December 16, 2015. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund offers two classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class I shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices therefore on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and asked prices.

Foreign Securities and Currencies. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Fund’s Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities.

Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that fairly reflects the security’s value, or the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial condition, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount. Distributions from investment companies are recorded as dividend income, capital gains or return of capital based on the nature of the distribution.

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of May 31, 2018, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

 

  13  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Foreign Currency Translation — Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

G  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

H  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

I  Interim Financial Statements — The interim financial statements relating to May 31, 2018 and for the six months then ended have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of the Fund’s management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make at least one distribution annually (normally in December) of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at May 31, 2018, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 36,339,849  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,734,030  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,108,145

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 2,625,885  

3  Investment Adviser and Administration Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser and administration fee is earned by EVM as compensation for investment advisory and administrative services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $500 million and is payable monthly. On net assets of $500 million and over, the annual fee is reduced. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, the investment adviser and administration fee amounted to $162,955 or 0.90% (annualized) of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, EVM pays Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (EVAIL), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., a portion of its investment adviser and administration fee for sub-advisory services provided to the Fund. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

 

  14  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

EVM and EVAIL have agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only) exceed 1.40% and 1.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A and Class I, respectively, through March 31, 2019. Thereafter, the reimbursement may be changed or terminated at any time. Pursuant to this agreement, EVM and EVAIL were allocated $43,291 in total of the Fund’s operating expenses for the six months ended May 31, 2018.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, EVM earned $134 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received no sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the six months ended May 31, 2018. EVD received distribution and service fees from Class A shares (see Note 4).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s organization receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser and administration fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with EVM may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of EVM.

4  Distribution Plan

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the six months ended May 31, 2018 amounted to $2,298 for Class A shares.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

Class A shares may be subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, the Fund was informed that EVD received no CDSCs paid by Class A shareholders.

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $32,896,420 and $10,645,231, respectively, for the six months ended May 31, 2018.

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

Class A    Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
November 30, 2017
 

Sales

     217,164        24,932  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     4,373        23  

Redemptions

     (22,464       

Net increase

     199,073        24,955  

 

  15  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Class I    Six Months Ended
May 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
November 30, 2017
 

Sales

     1,540,815        124,939  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     74,785        25,024  

Redemptions

     (65,043       

Net increase

     1,550,557        149,963  

At May 31, 2018, EVM, an Eaton Vance collective investment trust, Eaton Vance Multi-Strategy All Market Fund and donor advised and pooled income funds (established and maintained by a public charity) managed by EVM owned in the aggregate 88.9% of the value of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

8  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in a $625 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 30, 2018. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the six months ended May 31, 2018.

9  Risks Associated with Foreign Investments

Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Certain foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or financial instability or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets, broker/dealers and issuers than in the United States.

10  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

At May 31, 2018, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

           

Asia/Pacific

   $      $ 14,223,667      $         —      $ 14,223,667  

Developed Europe

            20,240,471               20,240,471  

Developed Middle East

            157,169               157,169  

North America

     3,598,244                      3,598,244  

Total Common Stocks

   $ 3,598,244      $ 34,621,307    $      $ 38,219,551  

Exchange-Traded Funds

   $ 456,354      $      $      $ 456,354  

Short-Term Investments

            289,829               289,829  

Total Investments

   $ 4,054,598      $ 34,911,136      $      $ 38,965,734  

 

* Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets.

At May 31, 2018, the value of investments transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the six months then ended was not significant.

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

 

 

Overview of the Contract Review Process

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), provides, in substance, that each investment advisory agreement between a fund and its investment adviser will continue in effect from year to year only if its continuation is approved at least annually by the fund’s board of trustees, including by a vote of a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the fund (“Independent Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval.

At a meeting of the Boards of Trustees (each a “Board”) of the registered investment companies advised by either Eaton Vance Management or its affiliate, Boston Management and Research, (the “Eaton Vance Funds”) held on April 24, 2018, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of existing investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements for the Eaton Vance Funds for an additional one-year period. In voting its approval, the Board relied upon the affirmative recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished by each adviser to the Eaton Vance Funds (including information specifically requested by the Board) for a series of meetings of the Contract Review Committee held between February and April 2018. The Contract Review Committee also considered information received at prior meetings of the Board and its committees, as relevant to its annual evaluation of the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.

The information that the Board considered included, among other things, the following (for funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolio(s), references to “each fund” in this section may include information that was considered at the portfolio-level):

Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing the advisory and related fees paid by each fund with fees paid by comparable funds as identified by the independent data provider (“comparable funds”);

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing each fund’s total expense ratio and its components to comparable funds;

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each fund (including, where relevant, yield data, Sharpe ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds over various time periods;

 

 

Data regarding investment performance in comparison to benchmark indices, as well as customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by the adviser in consultation with the Board;

 

 

For each fund, comparative information concerning the fees charged and the services provided by each adviser in managing other accounts (including mutual funds, other collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such fund;

 

 

Profitability analyses for each adviser with respect to each fund;

Information about Portfolio Management and Trading

 

 

Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, including the fund’s investment strategies and policies;

 

 

The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of fund assets and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes;

 

 

Information about each adviser’s policies and practices with respect to trading, including each adviser’s processes for monitoring best execution of portfolio transactions;

 

 

Information about the allocation of brokerage transactions and the benefits received by each adviser as a result of brokerage allocation, including information concerning the acquisition of research through client commission arrangements and policies with respect to “soft dollars”;

 

 

Data relating to portfolio turnover rates of each fund;

Information about each Adviser

 

 

Reports detailing the financial results and condition of each adviser;

 

 

Descriptions of the qualifications, education and experience of the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the funds, and information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts;

 

 

The Code of Ethics of each adviser and its affiliates, together with information relating to compliance with and the administration of such codes;

 

 

Policies and procedures relating to proxy voting and the handling of corporate actions and class actions;

 

 

Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by each adviser and its affiliates (including descriptions of various compliance programs) and their record of compliance;

 

 

Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of each adviser and its affiliates;

 

 

A description of Eaton Vance Management’s procedures for overseeing third party advisers and sub-advisers, including with respect to regulatory and compliance issues, investment management and other matters;

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

Other Relevant Information

 

 

Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates;

 

 

Information concerning management of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by each adviser or the funds’ administrator; and

 

 

The terms of each investment advisory agreement.

Over the course of the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2018, with respect to one or more funds, the Board met seven times and the Contract Review Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee and the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee, each of which is a Committee comprised solely of Independent Trustees, met seven, thirteen, six, eight and nine times, respectively. At such meetings, the Trustees participated in investment and performance reviews with the portfolio managers and other investment professionals of each investment adviser relating to each fund, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing each fund’s investment objective, such as the use of derivative instruments, as well as risk management techniques. The Board and its Committees also evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the funds, and received and participated in reports and presentations provided by Eaton Vance Management and other fund advisers with respect to such matters. In addition to the formal meetings of the Board and its Committees, the Independent Trustees hold regular teleconferences in between meetings to discuss, among other topics, matters relating to the continuation of investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.

For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, the Board considered similar information about the portfolio(s) when considering the approval of investment advisory agreements. In addition, in cases where the fund’s investment adviser has engaged a sub-adviser, the Board considered similar information about the sub-adviser when considering the approval of any sub-advisory agreement.

The Contract Review Committee was assisted throughout the contract review process by Goodwin Procter LLP, independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee relied upon the advice of such counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each member of the Contract Review Committee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement. In evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement, including the specific fee structures and other terms of the agreements, the Contract Review Committee was informed by multiple years of analysis and discussion among the Independent Trustees and the Eaton Vance Funds’ advisers and sub-advisers.

Results of the Process

Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information as it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described below, the Contract Review Committee concluded that the continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreement of Eaton Vance International Small-Cap Fund (the “Fund”) with Eaton Vance Management (the “Adviser”) and the sub-advisory agreement with Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (the “Sub-adviser”), an affiliate of the Adviser, including their fee structures, is in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of each agreement. The Board accepted the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee based on the material factors considered and conclusions reached by the Contract Review Committee with respect to the agreements. Accordingly, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreement and the sub-advisory agreement for the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In considering whether to approve the investment advisory and administrative agreement and the sub-advisory agreement of the Fund, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser.

The Board considered the Adviser’s and the Sub-adviser’s management capabilities and investment process with respect to the types of investments held by the Fund, including the education, experience and number of its investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Fund. With respect to the Adviser, the Board considered the Adviser’s responsibilities overseeing the Sub-adviser, as well as the coordination between the Adviser and the Sub-adviser on research and other investment matters. With respect to the Sub-adviser, the Board considered the resources available to the Sub-adviser in fulfilling its duties under the sub-advisory agreement and the Sub-adviser’s abilities and experience in implementing the Fund’s investment strategy. In particular, the Board considered the abilities and experience of the Sub-adviser’s investment professionals in investing in equity securities, including investing in both U.S. and foreign common stocks. The Board considered the international investment capabilities of the Sub-adviser, which is based in London, and the benefits to the Fund of having portfolio management services involving investments in international equities provided by investment professionals located abroad. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, as well as the compensation methods of the Adviser and other factors, such as the reputation and resources of the Adviser to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals. In addition, the Board considered the time and attention devoted to the Eaton Vance Funds, including the Fund, by senior management, as well as the infrastructure,

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

operational capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the portfolio management and operations of the Fund, including the provision of administrative services. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to which the Adviser or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Fund.

The Board considered the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser. Among other matters, the Board considered compliance and reporting matters relating to personal trading by investment professionals, selective disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also considered the responses of the Adviser and its affiliates to requests in recent years from regulatory authorities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The Board considered shareholder and other administrative services provided or managed by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and investment disciplines, including the ability, in many cases, to exchange an investment among different funds without incurring additional sales charges.

After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser and Sub-adviser, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement.

Fund Performance

The Board compared the Fund’s investment performance to that of comparable funds and appropriate benchmark indices. In light of the Fund’s relatively brief operating history, the Board concluded that additional time is required to evaluate Fund performance.

Management Fees and Expenses

The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by the Fund for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as “management fees”). As part of its review, the Board considered the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio for the one year period ended September 30, 2017, as compared to those of comparable funds, before and after giving effect to any undertaking to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Board also considered factors that had an impact on Fund expense ratios relative to comparable funds.

After considering the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable.

Profitability and Other “Fall-Out” Benefits

The Board considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser, in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to marketing support or other payments by the Adviser and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution services. The Board also considered other direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, in connection with their relationships with the Fund, including the benefits of research services that may be available to the Adviser or the Sub-adviser as a result of securities transactions effected for the Fund and other investment advisory clients.

The Board concluded that, in light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, are deemed not to be excessive.

Economies of Scale

In reviewing management fees and profitability, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Fund, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from economies of scale, if any, with respect to the management of any specific fund or group of funds. The Board reviewed data summarizing the increases and decreases in the assets of the Fund and of all Eaton Vance Funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of the Fund and the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates may have been affected by such increases or decreases. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Fund currently shares in any benefits from economies of scale. The Board also concluded that, assuming reasonably foreseeable increases in the assets of the Fund, the structure of the advisory fee, which includes breakpoints at several asset levels, will allow the Fund to continue to benefit from any economies of scale in the future.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

International Small-Cap Fund

May 31, 2018

 

Officers and Trustees

 

 

Officers of Eaton Vance International Small-Cap Fund

 

 

Payson F. Swaffield

President

Maureen A. Gemma

Vice President, Secretary and

Chief Legal Officer

James F. Kirchner

Treasurer

Richard F. Froio

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

Trustees of Eaton Vance International Small-Cap Fund

 

 

William H. Park

Chairperson

Thomas E. Faust Jr.*

Mark R. Fetting

Cynthia E. Frost

George J. Gorman

Valerie A. Mosley

Helen Frame Peters

Susan J. Sutherland

Harriett Tee Taggart

Scott E. Wennerholm

 

 

* Interested Trustee

 

  21  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each of the financial institutions identified below has in effect the following policy (“Privacy Policy”) with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:

 

 

Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Eaton Vance fund transactions will be collected. This may include information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account balances and transactions.

 

 

None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). In the normal course of servicing a customer’s account, Eaton Vance may share information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various required services such as transfer agents, custodians and broker-dealers.

 

 

Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy at any time upon proper notification to you. Customers may want to review our Privacy Policy periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of privacy applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group and Boston Management and Research. In addition, our Privacy Policy applies only to those Eaton Vance customers who are individuals and who have a direct relationship with us. If a customer’s account (i.e., fund shares) is held in the name of a third-party financial advisor/broker-dealer, it is likely that only such advisor’s privacy policies apply to the customer. This notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about Eaton Vance’s Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial advisor, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial advisor, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial advisor. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial advisor.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) will file a schedule of portfolio holdings on Form N-Q with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-Q will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the public reference room).

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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Investment Adviser and Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Investment Sub-Adviser

Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd.

125 Old Broad Street

London, EC2N 1AR

United Kingdom

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
* FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


LOGO

22294    5.31.18


Item 2. Code of Ethics

Not required in this filing.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Not required in this filing.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Not required in this filing.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable.    

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No material changes.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

(a) It is the conclusion of the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrant’s current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a)(1) Registrant’s Code of Ethics – Not applicable (please see Item 2).

 

(a)(2)(i) Treasurer’s Section 302 certification.

 

(a)(2)(ii) President’s Section 302 certification.

 

(b) Combined Section 906 certification.


Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Eaton Vance Growth Trust

 

By:  

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

  Payson F. Swaffield
  President
Date:   July 23, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ James F. Kirchner

  James F. Kirchner
  Treasurer
Date:   July 23, 2018
By:  

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

  Payson F. Swaffield
  President
Date:   July 23, 2018