N-CSRS 1 d57685dncsrs.htm CORE BOND PORTFOLIO Core Bond Portfolio

 

 

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: 811-09833

 

 

Core Bond Portfolio

(formerly, Investment Grade Income Portfolio)

(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)

December 31

Date of Fiscal Year End

June 30, 2015

Date of Reporting Period

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

Corporate Bonds & Notes — 30.5%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Agriculture — 0.4%

  

CNH Industrial Capital, LLC, 3.875%, 11/1/15

  $ 350      $ 351,750   

Lorillard Tobacco Co., 7.00%, 8/4/41

    444        513,703   
   
    $ 865,453   
   

Automotive — 1.5%

  

FCA US, LLC/CG Co-Issuer, Inc., 8.25%, 6/15/21

  $ 820      $ 895,850   

Ford Motor Co., 7.45%, 7/16/31

    419        537,118   

General Motors Co., 6.25%, 10/2/43

    660        737,455   

Nexteer Automotive Group, Ltd., 5.875%, 11/15/21(1)

    600        618,000   

ZF North America Capital, Inc., 4.50%, 4/29/22(1)

    700        690,375   
   
    $ 3,478,798   
   

Automotive & Auto Parts — 0.3%

  

Harman International Industries, Inc., 4.15%, 5/15/25

  $ 706      $ 696,111   
   
    $ 696,111   
   

Banks — 6.1%

  

Bank of America Corp., 3.30%, 1/11/23

  $ 836      $ 823,654   

Bank of America Corp., 5.65%, 5/1/18

    727        798,746   

Barclays PLC, 2.75%, 11/8/19

    1,080        1,073,219   

BPCE SA, 4.625%, 7/11/24(1)

    475        464,711   

Capital One Bank (USA), NA, 3.375%, 2/15/23

    642        623,878   

Citigroup, Inc., 3.875%, 10/25/23

    59        60,237   

Citigroup, Inc., 4.30%, 11/20/26

    629        615,383   

Citigroup, Inc., 4.50%, 1/14/22

    653        701,483   

Citigroup, Inc., 6.625%, 6/15/32

    155        183,512   

Credit Suisse Group AG, 6.25% to 12/18/24, 12/29/49(1)(2)

    500        480,875   

Discover Bank, 3.20%, 8/9/21

    700        690,390   

Fifth Third Bancorp, 4.30%, 1/16/24

    540        554,427   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 5.75%, 1/24/22

    600        682,334   

KeyBank NA, 1.65%, 2/1/18

    485        485,306   

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 6.11%, 1/29/37

    175        196,181   

Morgan Stanley, 4.35%, 9/8/26

    579        569,144   

Morgan Stanley, 4.875%, 11/1/22

    1,020        1,085,389   

PNC Bank NA, 4.20%, 11/1/25

    800        839,349   

Rabobank Nederland, 4.625%, 12/1/23

    600        619,286   

Santander Holdings USA, Inc., 2.65%, 4/17/20

    715        703,092   

Societe Generale SA, 4.25%, 4/14/25(1)(3)

    700        658,496   

Standard Chartered PLC,
5.20%, 1/26/24(1)(3)

    482        504,904   

Wells Fargo & Co., 3.45%, 2/13/23

    564        560,801   

Wells Fargo & Co., 4.10%, 6/3/26

    364        365,409   
   
    $ 14,340,206   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Beverages — 0.3%

               

Constellation Brands, Inc., 4.25%, 5/1/23

  $ 625      $ 617,187   
   
    $ 617,187   
   

Biotechnology — 0.3%

  

Amgen, Inc., 2.20%, 5/22/19

  $ 418      $ 416,973   

Amgen, Inc., 5.15%, 11/15/41

    191        196,191   
   
    $ 613,164   
   

Building Materials — 0.2%

  

Owens Corning, Inc., 4.20%, 12/15/22

  $ 502      $ 509,002   
   
    $ 509,002   
   

Chemicals — 0.4%

  

LYB International Finance BV, 4.00%, 7/15/23

  $ 550      $ 563,076   

Mosaic Co., 4.25%, 11/15/23

    350        360,030   
   
    $ 923,106   
   

Commercial Services — 0.2%

  

Hillenbrand, Inc., 5.50%, 7/15/20

  $ 400      $ 433,013   
   
    $ 433,013   
   

Diversified Financial Services — 2.6%

  

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., 4.25%, 2/15/24

  $ 592      $ 610,270   

Ally Financial, Inc., 3.25%, 9/29/17

    878        880,195   

American Express Co., 3.625%, 12/5/24

    650        632,743   

General Electric Capital Corp., 5.30%, 2/11/21

    1,009        1,134,296   

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 6.75%, 6/1/18

    120        133,977   

International Lease Finance Corp., 6.25%, 5/15/19

    650        704,437   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.875%, 9/10/24

    578        567,660   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 5.625%, 8/16/43

    160        170,672   

Navient Corp., 5.00%, 10/26/20

    725        723,187   

Synchrony Financial, 3.75%, 8/15/21

    561        565,429   
   
    $ 6,122,866   
   

Diversified Manufacturing — 0.4%

  

Joy Global, Inc., 5.125%, 10/15/21

  $ 502      $ 550,369   

Tyco Electronics Group SA, 6.55%, 10/1/17

    451        500,602   
   
    $ 1,050,971   
   

Educational Services — 0.3%

  

University of Notre Dame du Lac, 3.438%, 2/15/45

  $ 660      $ 594,698   
   
    $ 594,698   
   
 

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Electric Utilities — 2.5%

  

Comision Federal de Electricidad, 4.875%, 5/26/21(1)(3)

  $ 836      $ 877,800   

E.CL SA, 4.50%, 1/29/25(1)

    500        502,209   

Enel Finance International NV, 6.00%, 10/7/39(1)

    502        557,549   

Entergy Corp., 4.00%, 7/15/22(4)

    942        949,588   

Exelon Generation Co., LLC, 5.20%, 10/1/19

    552        607,218   

Georgia Power Co., 4.30%, 3/15/42

    628        595,302   

ITC Holdings Corp., 4.05%, 7/1/23

    310        315,675   

Southaven Combined Cycle Generation (TVA), LLC, 3.846%, 8/15/33

    466        485,900   

Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co, 3.85%, 6/1/25(1)

    620        616,178   

Trimble Navigation, Ltd., 4.75%, 12/1/24

    430        430,778   
   
    $ 5,938,197   
   

Electrical and Electronic Equipment — 0.9%

  

Flextronics International, Ltd.,
4.75%, 6/15/25(1)

  $ 710      $ 705,243   

Molex Electronic Technologies, LLC, 3.90%, 4/15/25(1)

    739        716,405   

NXP BV/NXP Funding, LLC,
4.125%, 6/15/20(1)

    700        707,000   
   
    $ 2,128,648   
   

Energy — 0.4%

  

Odebrecht Offshore Drilling Finance, Ltd., 6.75%, 10/1/23(1)(3)

  $ 340      $ 244,848   

Total Capital International SA, 2.70%, 1/25/23

    660        641,236   
   
    $ 886,084   
   

Financial Services — 0.3%

  

AWAS Aviation Capital, Ltd., 7.00%, 10/17/16(1)

  $ 341      $ 346,338   

Janus Capital Group, Inc., 6.70%, 6/15/17

    437        475,729   
   
    $ 822,067   
   

Foods — 0.4%

  

Gruma SAB de CV, 4.875%, 12/1/24(1)(3)

  $ 200      $ 208,750   

JBS USA, LLC/JBS USA Finance, Inc., 5.75%, 6/15/25(1)

    685        679,862   
   
    $ 888,612   
   

Health Services — 1.3%

  

Dignity Health, 3.812%, 11/1/24

  $ 761      $ 779,102   

Fresenius Medical Care US Finance II, Inc., 5.625%, 7/31/19(1)

    585        635,456   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, 2.625%, 2/1/20

    285        282,735   

Tenet Healthcare Corp., 4.75%, 6/1/20

    630        642,600   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 2.875%, 12/15/21

    652        651,753   
   
    $ 2,991,646   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Holding Company – Diversified — 0.2%

  

Hutchison Whampoa International 14, Ltd., 1.625%, 10/31/17(1)

  $ 500      $ 498,931   
   
    $ 498,931   
   

Home Construction — 0.6%

  

MDC Holdings, Inc., 5.625%, 2/1/20

  $ 380      $ 400,900   

MDC Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 1/15/43

    512        432,640   

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 4.375%, 4/15/23

    655        645,175   
   
    $ 1,478,715   
   

Insurance — 0.8%

  

Aflac, Inc., 4.00%, 2/15/22

  $ 260      $ 274,885   

Aflac, Inc., 6.45%, 8/15/40

    310        376,304   

American International Group, Inc., 5.85%, 1/16/18

    535        589,918   

Principal Financial Group, Inc., 6.05%, 10/15/36

    185        215,005   

Prudential Financial, Inc., 6.00%, 12/1/17

    310        342,192   
   
    $ 1,798,304   
   

Internet Software & Services — 0.6%

  

Netflix, Inc., 5.75%, 3/1/24

  $ 685      $ 707,262   

Seagate HDD Cayman, 3.75%, 11/15/18

    700        729,917   
   
    $ 1,437,179   
   

Machinery — 0.3%

  

Timken Co. (The), 3.875%, 9/1/24

  $ 690      $ 668,208   
   
    $ 668,208   
   

Mining — 0.9%

  

Barrick Gold Corp., 3.85%, 4/1/22

  $ 176      $ 170,646   

Barrick International Barbados Corp., 6.35%, 10/15/36(1)

    400        394,361   

Glencore Canada Corp., 6.20%, 6/15/35

    175        173,907   

Newcrest Finance Pty, Ltd.,
4.20%, 10/1/22(1)

    500        468,542   

Southern Copper Corp., 5.875%, 4/23/45

    494        471,128   

Teck Resources, Ltd., 5.20%, 3/1/42

    612        444,499   
   
    $ 2,123,083   
   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 0.2%

  

Trinity Industries, Inc., 4.55%, 10/1/24

  $ 438      $ 422,734   
   
    $ 422,734   
   
 

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Oil and Gas – Equipment and Services — 2.8%

  

AmeriGas Finance, LLC/AmeriGas Finance Corp., 7.00%, 5/20/22

  $ 675      $ 718,875   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 6.95%, 6/15/19

    555        645,242   

Concho Resources, Inc., 5.50%, 10/1/22

    615        615,000   

Ecopetrol SA, 5.875%, 5/28/45

    545        483,688   

Empresa Nacional del Petroleo, 4.375%, 10/30/24(1)

    500        500,395   

Noble Energy, Inc., 3.90%, 11/15/24

    659        650,056   

Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp., 5.625%, 1/19/25(1)(3)

    600        435,750   

Petrobras Global Finance BV, 3.50%, 2/6/17

    409        405,618   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 7.50%, 1/15/20

    452        531,931   

Rowan Cos., Inc., 4.75%, 1/15/24(3)

    496        474,184   

Rowan Cos., Inc., 5.40%, 12/1/42

    200        163,035   

Rowan Cos., Inc., 5.85%, 1/15/44

    245        207,446   

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, 5.625%, 3/1/25(1)

    730        725,437   
   
    $ 6,556,657   
   

Pharmaceuticals — 0.3%

  

Actavis Funding SCS, 3.00%, 3/12/20

  $ 380      $ 381,980   

Actavis Funding SCS, 4.55%, 3/15/35

    447        425,079   
   
    $ 807,059   
   

Pipelines — 0.5%

  

Energy Transfer Partners LP, 4.90%, 2/1/24

  $ 502      $ 510,745   

Plains All America Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp., 2.60%, 12/15/19

    650        647,388   
   
    $ 1,158,133   
   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.2%

  

CubeSmart LP, 4.80%, 7/15/22

  $ 622      $ 669,237   

DDR Corp., 4.625%, 7/15/22

    538        565,119   

Essex Portfolio LP, 3.25%, 5/1/23

    725        698,438   

Healthcare Realty Trust, 3.875%, 5/1/25

    248        239,319   

Host Hotels & Resorts L.P., 4.75%, 3/1/23

    510        538,466   
   
    $ 2,710,579   
   

Retail – Specialty and Apparel — 1.2%

  

AutoNation, Inc., 5.50%, 2/1/20

  $ 719      $ 781,913   

Family Tree Escrow, LLC, 5.25%, 3/1/20(1)

    645        678,056   

Gap, Inc. (The), 5.95%, 4/12/21

    853        963,540   

Ross Stores, Inc., 3.375%, 9/15/24

    300        296,010   
   
    $ 2,719,519   
   

Software — 0.6%

  

Autodesk, Inc., 3.125%, 6/15/20

  $ 699      $ 700,375   

Oracle Corp., 4.50%, 7/8/44

    620        613,864   
   
    $ 1,314,239   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Technology — 0.1%

  

KLA-Tencor Corp., 4.65%, 11/1/24

  $ 361      $ 360,562   
   
    $ 360,562   
   

Telecommunications — 1.4%

  

AT&T, Inc., 3.00%, 6/30/22

  $ 940      $ 908,160   

Axtel SAB de CV, 9.00%, 1/31/20(1)

    600        603,000   

CommScope, Inc., 4.375%, 6/15/20(1)

    685        693,563   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 7.25%, 4/1/19

    635        646,906   

Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.55%, 9/15/43

    310        363,712   
   
    $ 3,215,341   
   

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes
(identified cost $71,074,403)

   

  $ 71,169,072   
   
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 22.1%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:

  

Gold Pool #C03815, 3.50%, 3/1/42

  $ 862      $ 888,642   

Gold Pool #C09031, 2.50%, 2/1/43

    688        658,185   

Gold Pool #C09032, 3.50%, 2/1/43

    972        1,001,584   

Gold Pool #G08596, 4.50%, 7/1/44

    1,512        1,633,972   

Gold Pool #G18176, 5.00%, 4/1/22

    120        129,326   

Gold Pool #G18472, 2.50%, 7/1/28

    225        228,929   

Gold Pool #G18514, 3.00%, 6/1/29

    85        88,426   

Pool #A97620, 4.50%, 3/1/41

    766        830,546   

Pool #C03490, 4.50%, 8/1/40

    1,362        1,474,974   

Pool #C03517, 4.50%, 9/1/40

    678        734,501   

Pool #C09013, 3.00%, 9/1/42

    959        956,472   

Pool #E03124, 3.00%, 4/1/27

    1,424        1,481,475   

Pool #G04913, 5.00%, 3/1/38

    1,609        1,776,533   

Pool #G05958, 5.00%, 8/1/40

    375        413,740   

Pool #G06091, 5.50%, 5/1/40

    324        362,165   

Pool #G07527, 3.00%, 10/1/43

    521        518,887   

Pool #G07589, 5.50%, 6/1/41

    1,608        1,798,599   

Pool #G08348, 5.00%, 6/1/39

    303        334,144   

Pool #G18309, 4.50%, 5/1/24

    252        268,536   

Pool #G18441, 2.50%, 8/1/27

    331        336,868   

Pool #G18544, 2.50%, 3/1/30

    892        902,429   

Pool #Q00285, 4.50%, 4/1/41

    994        1,077,791   
   
    $ 17,896,724   
   
 

 

  15   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Federal National Mortgage Association:

  

30-Year, 3.50%, TBA(5)

  $ 7,500      $ 7,717,383   

30-Year, 4.00%, TBA(5)

    6,500        6,878,828   

Pool #735415, 6.50%, 12/1/32

    433        502,548   

Pool #889982, 5.50%, 11/1/38

    131        147,375   

Pool #890397, 3.50%, 12/1/26

    100        105,892   

Pool #890427, 3.50%, 4/1/42

    1,785        1,842,594   

Pool #929009, 6.00%, 1/1/38

    406        462,204   

Pool #995203, 5.00%, 7/1/35

    44        49,216   

Pool #AB1776, 3.50%, 11/1/25

    814        859,235   

Pool #AB4827, 3.50%, 4/1/42

    523        539,390   

Pool #AC8540, 4.50%, 12/1/24

    196        208,938   

Pool #AE0481, 5.00%, 9/1/40

    670        742,412   

Pool #AE0949, 4.00%, 2/1/41

    549        583,907   

Pool #AE0971, 4.00%, 5/1/25

    121        129,066   

Pool #AE7535, 4.00%, 10/1/40

    482        513,147   

Pool #AE7758, 3.50%, 11/1/25

    311        327,993   

Pool #AE9757, 4.00%, 12/1/40

    107        113,877   

Pool #AH0944, 4.00%, 12/1/40

    1,240        1,320,314   

Pool #AH1559, 4.00%, 12/1/40

    209        222,789   

Pool #AH3804, 4.00%, 2/1/41

    983        1,046,555   

Pool #AH6827, 4.00%, 3/1/26

    528        564,047   

Pool #AH9055, 4.50%, 4/1/41

    775        840,888   

Pool #AK3264, 3.00%, 2/1/27

    368        382,180   

Pool #AK6759, 3.50%, 3/1/42

    1,675        1,728,644   

Pool #AL2551, 3.50%, 10/1/42

    403        416,957   

Pool #AL3865, 3.50%, 7/1/43

    102        105,576   

Pool #MA1003, 3.50%, 3/1/42

    991        1,022,579   

Pool #MA1060, 2.50%, 5/1/27

    1,170        1,191,402   

Pool #MA1438, 2.50%, 5/1/28

    1,179        1,199,342   
   
    $ 31,765,278   
   

Government National Mortgage Association:

  

Pool #781412, 6.50%, 2/15/17

  $ 35      $ 35,707   

Pool #MA2524, 5.00%, 1/20/45

    1,913        2,101,202   
   
    $ 2,136,909   
   

Total Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
(identified cost $51,375,877)

   

  $ 51,798,911   
   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.4%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Federal National Mortgage Association,
Series 2005-58, Class MA, 5.50%, 7/25/35

  $ 770      $ 863,235   
   

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(identified cost $856,223)

   

  $ 863,235   
   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 7.0%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

A10 Securitization, LLC, Series 2013-1, Class A, 2.40%, 11/15/25(1)

  $ 56      $ 56,026   

A10 Securitization, LLC, Series 2015-1, Class A2, 3.13%, 4/15/34(1)

    880        877,851   

BACM, Series 2006-3, Class A4, 5.889%, 7/10/44(6)

    767        790,882   

BACM, Series 2006-5, Class AM, 5.448%, 9/10/47

    130        135,250   

BSCMS, Series 2006-PW14, Class A4, 5.201%, 12/11/38

    400        417,476   

CDCMT, Series 2006-CD3, Class A5, 5.617%, 10/15/48

    434        450,169   

CGCMT, Series 2012-GC8, Class A2, 1.813%, 9/10/45

    400        403,464   

COMM, Series 2006-C8, Class A4, 5.306%, 12/10/46

    480        499,239   

COMM, Series 2012-CR2, Class AM, 3.791%, 8/15/45

    165        172,819   

COMM, Series 2013-CR11, Class C, 5.339%, 10/10/46(1)(6)

    500        534,400   

COMM, Series 2014-CR20, Class D, 3.222%, 11/10/47(1)

    700        557,241   

COMM, Series 2014-LC17, Class D, 3.687%, 10/10/47(1)

    325        271,805   

COMM, Series 2014-UBS2, Class A2, 2.82%, 3/10/47

    670        689,818   

COMM, Series 2015-LC19, Class C, 4.406%, 2/10/48(6)

    700        687,603   

CSMC, Series 2006-C4, Class A3, 5.467%, 9/15/39

    366        378,247   

DBUBS, Series 2011-LC1A, Class A1, 3.742%, 11/10/46(1)

    497        502,197   

ESA, Series 2013-ESH7, Class D7, 5.521%, 12/5/31(1)(6)

    750        767,124   

HILT, Series 2013-HLT, Class DFX, 4.407%, 11/5/30(1)

    300        303,263   

JPMBB, Series 2014-C22, Class D, 4.713%, 9/15/47(1)(6)

    500        451,535   

JPMBB, Series 2014-C23, Class D, 4.109%, 9/15/47(1)(6)

    250        218,043   

JPMCC, Series 2006-CB16, Class A4, 5.552%, 5/12/45

    407        418,414   

JPMCC, Series 2006-LDP7, Class A4, 6.10%, 4/15/45(6)

    208        212,354   

JPMCC, Series 2006-LDP8, Class A4, 5.399%, 5/15/45

    362        373,448   

JPMCC, Series 2011-C5, Class A3, 4.171%, 8/15/46

    850        919,667   

JPMCC, Series 2013-LC11, Class AS, 3.216%, 4/15/46

    220        220,251   

MLCFC, Series 2006-4, Class A3, 5.172%, 12/12/49

    262        272,931   

Motel 6, Series 2015-MTL6, Class D, 4.532%, 2/5/30(1)

    1,000        1,000,995   

MSC, Series 2006-IQ12, Class A4, 5.332%, 12/15/43

    452        470,198   

MSC, Series 2007-IQ15, Class A4, 6.104%, 6/11/49(6)

    876        936,447   

NCUA Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-C1, Class A1, 1.60%, 10/29/20

    103        103,995   

NCUA Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-R1, Class 2A, 1.84%, 10/7/20

    34        33,985   
 

 

  16   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

NCUA Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-R3, Class 3A, 2.40%, 12/8/20

  $ 179      $ 180,688   

UBSCM, Series 2012-C1, Class D, 5.727%, 5/10/45(1)(6)

    850        869,055   

WBCMT, Series 2006-C29, Class A4, 5.308%, 11/15/48

    477        496,398   

WFCM, Series 2010-C1, Class C, 5.768%, 11/15/43(1)(6)

    500        553,384   

WF-RBS, Series 2013-C13, Class AS, 3.345%, 5/15/45

    80        80,956   
   

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(identified cost $16,328,605)

   

  $ 16,307,618   
   
Asset-Backed Securities — 13.1%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Agriculture — 0.9%

  

CNH, Series 2014-C, Class A2, 0.63%, 12/15/17

  $ 2,000      $ 1,999,548   
   
    $ 1,999,548   
   

Automotive — 6.1%

  

AESOP, Series 2013-2A, Class B, 3.66%, 2/20/20(1)

  $ 450      $ 462,396   

AESOP, Series 2014-1A, Class A, 2.46%, 7/20/20(1)

    920        926,323   

AESOP, Series 2014-1A, Class B, 2.96%, 7/20/20(1)

    265        265,244   

AMCAR, Series 2013-5, Class B, 1.52%, 1/8/19

    353        354,126   

BMWOT, Series 2014-A, Class A2, 0.53%, 4/25/17

    821        821,461   

CARMX, Series 2013-1, Class A3, 0.60%, 10/16/17

    121        121,080   

CRART, Series 2013-2, Class A2, 1.23%, 3/15/19

    360        360,523   

EFF, Series 2014-1, Class A3, 1.38%, 9/20/19(1)

    500        500,058   

FITAT, Series 2014-1, Class A4, 1.14%, 10/15/20

    365        365,528   

FORDF, Series 2014-1, Class B, 1.40%, 2/15/19

    740        742,600   

FORDR, Series 2014-1, Class B, 2.41%, 11/15/25(1)

    475        476,816   

GFORT, Series 2015-1, Class B, 1.97%, 5/15/20(1)

    775        774,609   

GMALT, Series 2014-2A, Class A2, 0.73%, 2/20/17(1)

    1,524        1,523,250   

HAROT, Series 2014-2, Class A4, 1.18%, 5/18/20

    570        570,931   

MBALT, Series 2013-B, Class A3, 0.62%, 7/15/16

    532        531,581   

NALT, Series 2014-B, Class A2A, 0.73%, 4/17/17

    973        972,892   

SDART, Series 2013-5, Class B, 1.55%, 10/15/18

    885        889,610   

SDART, Series 2014-4, Class A2A, 0.67%, 1/16/18

    1,302        1,300,991   

SDART, Series 2015-1, Class B, 1.97%, 11/15/19

    1,000        1,003,747   

TAOT, Series 2014-C, Class A2, 0.51%, 2/15/17

    922        922,024   

VWMT, Series 2014-1A, Class A2, 1.40%, 7/22/19(1)

    455        456,784   
   
    $ 14,342,574   
   

Computers — 0.5%

  

DEFT, Series 2015-1, Class C, 2.42%, 3/23/20(1)

  $ 1,225      $ 1,223,380   
   
    $ 1,223,380   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Lodging and Gaming — 0.2%

  

HGVT, Series 2014-AA, Class A, 1.77%, 11/25/26(1)

  $ 270      $ 268,356   

MVW Owner Trust, Series 2013-1A, Class A, 2.15%, 4/22/30(1)

    120        120,676   
   
    $ 389,032   
   

Other — 3.9%

               

CHAIT, Series 2012-A8, Class A8, 0.54%, 10/16/17

  $ 2,000      $ 2,000,365   

DNKN, Series 2015-1A, Class A2I, 3.262%, 2/20/45(1)

    828        831,327   

FKL, Series 2015-SFR1, Class A, 2.553%, 3/9/47(1)

    697        698,774   

GALC, Series 2014-1, Class A4, 1.47%, 8/15/20(1)

    455        455,734   

GEEMT, Series 2014-1, Class A2, 0.64%, 4/24/17

    1,357        1,356,506   

GEET, Series 2014-1, Class A4, 1.48%, 8/23/22

    375        376,250   

LRF, Series 2015-1, Class A4, 2.03%, 8/17/20(1)

    555        553,972   

SCFT, Series 2014-AA, Class A, 2.70%, 5/25/23(1)

    746        750,368   

SRFC, Series 2014-1A, Class B, 2.42%, 3/20/30(1)

    219        219,708   

SRFC, Series 2015-1A, Class B, 3.05%, 3/22/32(1)

    744        744,466   

WEN, Series 2015-1A, Class A2I, 3.371%, 6/15/45(1)

    1,050        1,048,930   
   
    $ 9,036,400   
   

Single Family Home Rental — 1.5%

  

AH4R, Series 2014-SFR1, Class C, 2.00%, 6/17/31(1)(7)

  $ 1,000      $ 992,762   

ARP, Series 2014-SFR1, Class C, 2.524%, 9/17/31(1)(7)

    850        856,506   

CAH, Series 2014-1A, Class C, 2.10%, 5/17/31(1)(7)

    915        909,141   

Invitation Homes Trust, Series 2013-SFR1, Class D, 2.40%, 12/17/30(1)(7)

    350        342,983   

Invitation Homes Trust, Series 2014-SFR1, Class D, 2.785%, 6/17/31(1)(7)

    500        497,015   
   
    $ 3,598,407   
   

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(identified cost $30,559,614)

   

  $ 30,589,341   
   
Foreign Government Bonds — 0.8%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Bermuda — 0.2%

  

Government of Bermuda,
4.854%, 2/6/24(1)

  $ 510      $ 540,600   
   
    $ 540,600   
   
 

 

  17   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Mexico — 0.6%

  

Government of Mexico, 3.60%, 1/30/25(3)

  $ 500      $ 494,250   

Government of Mexico, 4.00%, 10/2/23

    790        812,910   
   
    $ 1,307,160   
   

Total Foreign Government Bonds
(identified cost $1,821,908)

   

  $ 1,847,760   
   
Foreign Government Agency Bonds — 0.3%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Sweden — 0.3%

  

Svensk Exportkredit AB, 2.875% to 11/14/18, 11/14/23(1)(2)

  $ 600      $ 600,216   
   

Total Foreign Government Agency Bonds
(identified cost $597,206)

   

  $ 600,216   
   
U.S. Treasury Obligations — 28.7%   
   
Security  

Principal
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.625%, 2/15/44

  $ 9,390      $ 10,279,120   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.875%, 8/15/40

    419        476,645   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 4.50%, 2/15/36

    3,081        3,861,118   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 5.375%, 2/15/31

    2,634        3,534,499   

U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Note, 1.375%, 1/15/20(8)

    6,378        6,816,323   

U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Note, 2.375%, 1/15/25(8)

    5,303        6,230,373   

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.00%, 4/30/16

    16,515        16,745,946   

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.625%, 8/15/20

    113        118,120   

U.S. Treasury Note, 3.50%, 2/15/18

    16,897        18,032,276   

U.S. Treasury Note, 4.625%, 2/15/17

    995        1,060,375   
   

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations
(identified cost $67,622,462)

   

  $ 67,154,795   
   
Preferred Securities — 0.4%   
   
Security   Shares     Value  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

               

PPTT, 2006-A GS, Class A, 5.925%(1)(7)

    1.30      $ 227,957   
   
    $ 227,957   
   
Security   Shares     Value  

Insurance — 0.3%

               

American Overseas Group, Ltd., Series A,
7.50% to 12/15/16(2)(9)

    2,000      $ 800,125   
   
    $ 800,125   
   

Total Preferred Securities
(identified cost $2,278,613)

   

  $ 1,028,082   
   
Interest Rate Swaptions Purchased — 0.5%   
       
Description   Counterparty   Expiration
Date
   

Notional
Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Option to receive 3-month USD-LIBOR-BBA Rate and pay 2.30%

  Bank of
America, N.A.
    2/8/16      $ 5,000      $ 217,988   

Option to receive 3-month USD-LIBOR-BBA Rate and pay 2.33%

  Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A.
    1/11/16        8,900        348,213   

Option to receive 3-month USD-LIBOR-BBA Rate and pay 2.60%

  Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A.
    5/12/16        10,200        357,262   

Option to receive 3-month USD-LIBOR-BBA Rate and pay 2.85%

  Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A.
    5/12/16        3,000        257,769   
   

Total Interest Rate Swaptions Purchased
(identified cost $956,542)

   

  $ 1,181,232   
   
Short-Term Investments — 3.6%   
   
Description  

Interest

(000’s omitted)

    Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Collateral Fund, LLC, 0.10%(10)(11)

  $   3,334      $ 3,334,483   

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 0.18%(11)

    5,097        5,096,585   
   

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $8,431,068)

   

  $ 8,431,068   
   

Total Investments — 107.4%
(identified cost $251,902,521)

   

  $ 250,971,330   
   

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (7.4)%

  

  $ (17,262,302
   

Net Assets — 100.0%

  

  $ 233,709,028   
   

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

 

 

  18   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

 

AESOP     Avis Budget Rental Car Funding LLC
AH4R     American Homes 4 Rent
AMCAR     AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust
ARP     American Residential Properties Trust
BACM     Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust
BMWOT     BMW Vehicle Owner Trust
BSCMS     Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
CAH     Colony American Homes
CARMX     CarMax Auto Owner Trust
CDCMT     CD Commercial Mortgage Trust
CGCMT     Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust
CHAIT     Chase Issuance Trust
CNH     CNH Equipment Trust
COMM     Commercial Mortgage Trust
CRART     California Republic Auto Receivables Trust
CSMC     Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust
DBUBS     DBUBS Mortgage Trust
DEFT     Dell Equipment Finance Trust
DNKN     DB Master Finance LLC
EFF     Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC
ESA     Extended Stay America Trust
FITAT     Fifth Third Auto Trust
FKL     FirstKey Lending Trust
FORDF     Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust
FORDR     Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust
GALC     Great America Leasing Receivables
GEEMT     GE Equipment Midticket LLC
GEET     GE Equipment Transportation LLC
GFORT     GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust
GMALT     GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust
HAROT     Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust
HGVT     Hilton Grand Vacations Trust
HILT     Hilton USA Trust
JPMBB     JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
JPMCC     JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
LRF     Leaf II Receivables Funding LLC
MBALT     Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust
MLCFC     ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust
MSC     Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust
NALT     Nissan Auto Lease Trust
NCUA     National Credit Union Administration
PPTT     Preferred Pass-Through Trust
SCFT     SpringCastle Funding Trust
SDART     Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
SRFC     Sierra Receivables Funding Co., LLC
TAOT     Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust
UBSCM     UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
VWMT     Volkswagen Credit Auto Master Trust
WBCMT     Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust
WEN     Wendys Funding LLC
WFCM     Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust
WF-RBS     WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
  (1) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in certain transactions (normally to qualified institutional buyers) and remain exempt from registration. At June 30, 2015, the aggregate value of these securities is $39,444,304 or 16.9% of the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

  (2) 

Security converts to floating rate after the indicated fixed-rate coupon period.

 

  (3) 

All or a portion of this security was on loan at June 30, 2015.

 

  (4) 

When-issued security.

 

  (5) 

TBA (To Be Announced) securities are purchased on a forward commitment basis with an approximate principal amount and no definite maturity date. The actual principal amount and maturity date are determined upon settlement when the specific mortgage pools are assigned.

 

  (6) 

Weighted average fixed-rate coupon that changes/updates monthly. Rate shown is the rate at June 30, 2015.

 

  (7) 

Variable rate security. The stated interest rate represents the rate in effect at June 30, 2015.

 

  (8) 

Inflation-linked security whose principal is adjusted for inflation based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index. Interest is calculated based on the inflation-adjusted principal.

 

  (9) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(10) 

The amount invested in Eaton Vance Cash Collateral Fund, LLC represents cash collateral received for securities on loan at June 30, 2015. Other Assets, Less Liabilities includes an equal and offsetting liability of the Portfolio to repay collateral amounts upon the return of loaned securities.

 

(11) 

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 June 30, 2015.

 

 

  19   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets   June 30, 2015  

Unaffiliated investments, at value including $3,265,984 of securities on loan (identified cost, $243,471,453)

  $ 242,540,262   

Affiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $8,431,068)

    8,431,068   

Cash

    25,260   

Restricted cash*

    970,000   

Interest receivable

    1,690,823   

Interest receivable from affiliated investment

    599   

Securities lending income receivable

    1,169   

Receivable from affiliate

    8,185   

Total assets

  $ 253,667,366   
Liabilities        

Cash collateral due to broker

  $ 970,000   

Collateral for securities loaned

    3,334,483   

Payable for investments purchased

    24,101   

Payable for when-issued securities

    940,672   

Payable for forward purchase commitment

    14,557,813   

Payable to affiliates:

 

Investment adviser fee

    87,043   

Trustees’ fees

    2,715   

Accrued expenses

    41,511   

Total liabilities

  $ 19,958,338   

Net Assets applicable to investors’ interest in Portfolio

  $ 233,709,028   
Sources of Net Assets        

Investors’ capital

  $ 234,640,219   

Net unrealized depreciation

    (931,191

Total

  $ 233,709,028   

 

* Represents restricted cash on deposit at the custodian for open derivative contracts.

 

  20   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment Income  

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2015

 

Interest (net of foreign taxes, $783)

  $ 2,814,044   

Dividends

    19,884   

Securities lending income, net

    6,961   

Interest allocated from affiliated investment

    3,680   

Expenses allocated from affiliated investment

    (334

Total investment income

  $ 2,844,235   
Expenses        

Investment adviser fee

  $ 511,817   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    6,082   

Custodian fee

    40,870   

Legal and accounting services

    35,728   

Miscellaneous

    6,350   

Total expenses

  $ 600,847   

Deduct —

 

Allocation of expenses to affiliate

  $ 36,948   

Reduction of custodian fee

    6   

Total expense reductions

  $ 36,954   

Net expenses

  $ 563,893   

Net investment income

  $ 2,280,342   
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)        

Net realized gain (loss) —

 

Investment transactions

  $ 143,371   

Investment transactions allocated from affiliated investment

    7   

Financial futures contracts

    (78,446

Net realized gain

  $ 64,932   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

 

Investments

  $ (1,575,890

Financial futures contracts

    60,551   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  $ (1,515,339

Net realized and unrealized loss

  $ (1,450,407

Net increase in net assets from operations

  $ 829,935   

 

  21   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2015

(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended

December 31, 2014

 

From operations —

   

Net investment income

  $ 2,280,342      $ 4,704,681   

Net realized gain from investment transactions and financial futures contracts

    64,932        1,929,310   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments and financial futures contracts

    (1,515,339     2,952,583   

Net increase in net assets from operations

  $ 829,935      $ 9,586,574   

Capital transactions —

   

Contributions

  $ 30,019,170      $ 75,604,548   

Withdrawals

    (11,678,097     (48,352,922

Net increase in net assets from capital transactions

  $ 18,341,073      $ 27,251,626   

Net increase in net assets

  $ 19,171,008      $ 36,838,200   
Net Assets                

At beginning of period

  $ 214,538,020      $ 177,699,820   

At end of period

  $ 233,709,028      $ 214,538,020   

 

  22   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Supplementary Data

 

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015
(Unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
Ratios/Supplemental Data     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

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

                                               

Expenses(1)

    0.50 %(2)(3)      0.50 %(3)      0.50 %(3)      0.50 %(3)      0.57     0.57

Net investment income

    2.02 %(2)      2.47     2.48     2.93     3.39     3.87

Portfolio Turnover

    80 %(4)(5)      134 %(5)      107     113     100     91

Total Return

    0.41 %(4)      5.27     (1.04 )%      5.12     7.34     7.53

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

  $ 233,709      $ 214,538      $ 177,700      $ 114,900      $ 129,707      $ 144,019   

 

(1) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%.

 

(2) 

Annualized.

 

(3) 

The investment adviser subsidized certain operating expenses (equal to 0.03%, 0.03%, 0.07% and 0.07% of average daily net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively). Absent this subsidy, total return would have been lower.

 

(4) 

Not annualized.

 

(5) 

Includes the effect of To-Be-Announced (TBA) transactions.

 

  23   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Core Bond Portfolio (formerly, Investment Grade Income Portfolio) (the Portfolio) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Portfolio’s investment objectives are to seek current income and total return. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue interests in the Portfolio. At June 30, 2015, Eaton Vance Balanced Fund, Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund (formerly, Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund) and donor advised funds (established and maintained by a public charity) managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM) held an interest of 56.7%, 29.2% and 14.1%, respectively, in the Portfolio.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Portfolio. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Portfolio 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.

Debt Obligations. Debt obligations (including short-term obligations with a remaining maturity of more than sixty days) are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third party pricing services, as derived from such services’ pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and asked prices, broker/dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, interest rates, anticipated prepayments, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less are generally valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

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 or, in the case of preferred equity securities that are not listed or traded in the over-the-counter market, by a third party pricing service that uses various techniques that consider factors including, but not limited to, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, quotes of underlying common stock, issuer spreads, as well as industry and economic events. The value of preferred equity securities that are valued by a pricing service on a bond basis is adjusted by an income factor, as determined by the investment adviser, to reflect the next anticipated regular dividend.

Derivatives. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Options on interest rate swaps (“swaptions”) are normally valued using valuations provided by a third party pricing service. Such pricing service valuations are based on the present value of fixed and projected floating rate cash flows over the term of the swap contract. Future cash flows are discounted to their present value using swap rates provided by electronic data services or by broker/dealers. Alternatively, swaptions may be valued at the valuation provided by a broker/dealer (usually the counterparty to the option), so determined using similar techniques as those employed by the pricing service.

Affiliated Funds. The Portfolio may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund) and Eaton Vance Cash Collateral Fund, LLC (Cash Collateral Fund), affiliated investment companies managed by EVM. The value of the Portfolio’s investment in Cash Reserves Fund and Cash Collateral Fund reflects the Portfolio’s proportionate interest in each of their net assets. Cash Reserves Fund and Cash Collateral Fund generally value their investment securities utilizing the amortized cost valuation technique in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. This technique involves initially valuing a portfolio security at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. If amortized cost is determined not to approximate fair value, Cash Reserves Fund and Cash Collateral Fund may value their investment securities in the same manner as debt obligations described above.

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 Portfolio in a manner that fairly reflects the security’s value, or the amount that the Portfolio 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 — Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Withholding taxes on foreign interest have been provided for in accordance with the Portfolio’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates.

D  Federal Taxes — The Portfolio has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. No provision is made by the Portfolio for federal or state taxes on any taxable income of the Portfolio because each investor in the Portfolio is ultimately responsible for the payment of any taxes on its share

 

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Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

of taxable income. Since at least one of the Portfolio’s investors is a regulated investment company that invests all or substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio, the Portfolio normally must satisfy the applicable source of income and diversification requirements (under the Internal Revenue Code) in order for its investors to satisfy them. The Portfolio will allocate, at least annually among its investors, each investor’s distributive share of the Portfolio’s net investment income, net realized capital gains and losses and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit.

As of June 30, 2015, the Portfolio had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Portfolio 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  Expense Reduction — State Street Bank and Trust Company (SSBT) serves as custodian of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, SSBT receives a fee reduced by credits, which are determined based on the average daily cash balance the Portfolio maintains with SSBT. All credit balances, if any, used to reduce the Portfolio’s custodian fees are reported as a reduction of expenses in the Statement of Operations.

F  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.

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

H  Financial Futures Contracts — Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Portfolio is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin). Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Portfolio each business day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Portfolio. Gains (losses) are realized upon the expiration or closing of the financial futures contracts. Should market conditions change unexpectedly, the Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. Futures contracts have minimal counterparty risk as they are exchange traded and the clearinghouse for the exchange is substituted as the counterparty, guaranteeing counterparty performance.

I  Swaptions — A purchased swaption contract grants the Portfolio, in return for payment of the purchase price, the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. When the Portfolio purchases a swaption, the premium paid to the writer is recorded as an investment and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the swaption. A written swaption gives the Portfolio the obligation, if exercised by the purchaser, to enter into a swap contract according to the terms of the underlying agreement. When the Portfolio writes a swaption, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the swaption. When a swaption is exercised, the cost of the swap is adjusted by the amount of the premium paid or received. When a swaption expires or an unexercised swaption is closed, a gain or loss is recognized in the amount of the premium paid or received, plus the cost to close. The Portfolio’s risk for purchased swaptions is limited to the premium paid. The writer of a swaption bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the preset terms of the underlying swap contract.

J  When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions — The Portfolio may purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery, when-issued or forward commitment basis, including TBA (To-Be-Announced) securities. Payment and delivery may take place after the customary settlement period for that security. At the time the transaction is negotiated, the price of the security that will be delivered is fixed. The Portfolio maintains security positions for these commitments such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payments upon settlement. Securities purchased on a delayed delivery, when-issued or forward commitment basis are marked-to-market daily and begin earning interest on settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract. A forward purchase or sale commitment may be closed by entering into an offsetting commitment or delivery of securities. The Portfolio will realize a gain or loss on investments based on the price established when the Portfolio entered into the commitment.

K  Interim Financial Statements — The interim financial statements relating to June 30, 2015 and for the six months then ended have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of the Portfolio’s management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.

 

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Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

2  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Portfolio. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement and subsequent fee reduction agreement between the Portfolio and BMR, the fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.45% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets up to $1 billion and at a reduced rate on average daily net assets of $1 billion or more, and is payable monthly. The fee reduction cannot be terminated or reduced without the approval of a majority vote of the Trustees of the Portfolio who are not interested persons of BMR or the Portfolio and by the vote of a majority of the holders of interest in the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Portfolio’s investment adviser fee amounted to $511,817 or 0.45% (annualized) of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to a voluntary expense reimbursement, BMR was allocated $36,948 of the Portfolio’s operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The Portfolio invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

Trustees and officers of the Portfolio who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Portfolio out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Portfolio who are not affiliated with the investment adviser 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 June 30, 2015, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Portfolio are officers of the above organizations.

3  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, and including maturities, paydowns and TBA transactions, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Investments (non-U.S. Government)

  $ 37,377,668       $ 37,902,539   

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

    160,901,180         151,608,414   
    $ 198,278,848       $ 189,510,953   

4  Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Portfolio at June 30, 2015, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

  $ 253,140,379   

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 1,933,057   

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (4,102,106

Net unrealized depreciation

  $ (2,169,049

5  Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include financial futures contracts and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Portfolio has in particular classes of financial instruments and do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered.

At June 30, 2015, there were no obligations outstanding under these financial instruments.

The Portfolio is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Portfolio holds fixed-rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To hedge against this risk, the Portfolio enters into financial futures contracts and interest rate swaptions.

The over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives in which the Portfolio invests are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract fails to perform its obligations under the contract. To mitigate this risk, the Portfolio has entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master

 

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Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with substantially all its derivative counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Portfolio and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, set-off provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event as defined under the relevant ISDA Master Agreement. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Portfolio may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy or insolvency. Certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to OTC derivatives to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event the Portfolio’s net assets decline by a stated percentage or the Portfolio fails to meet the terms of its ISDA Master Agreements, which would cause the counterparty to accelerate payment by the Portfolio of any net liability owed to it.

The collateral requirements for derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement are governed by a Credit Support Annex to the ISDA Master Agreement. Collateral requirements are determined at the close of business each day and are typically based on changes in market values for each transaction under an ISDA Master Agreement and netted into one amount for such agreement. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a minimum transfer threshold amount before a transfer is required, which may vary by counterparty. Collateral pledged for the benefit of the Portfolio and/or counterparty is held in segregated accounts by the Portfolio’s custodian and cannot be sold, re-pledged, assigned or otherwise used while pledged. The portion of such collateral representing cash, if any, is reflected as restricted cash and, in the case of cash pledged by a counterparty for the benefit of the Portfolio, a corresponding liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged by the Portfolio as collateral, if any, are identified as such in the Portfolio of Investments. The carrying amount of the liability for cash collateral due to broker at June 30, 2015 approximated its fair value. If measured at fair value, such liability would have been considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 8) at June 30, 2015.

The fair value of open derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) and whose primary underlying risk exposure is interest rate risk at June 30, 2015 was as follows:

 

    Fair Value  
Derivative   Asset Derivative      Liability Derivative  

Interest rate swaptions purchased

  $ 1,181,232 (1)     $         —   

 

(1) 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unaffiliated investments, at value.

The Portfolio’s derivative assets and liabilities at fair value by type, which are reported gross in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, are presented in the table above. The following table presents the Portfolio’s derivative assets by counterparty, net of amounts available for offset under a master netting agreement and net of the related collateral received by the Portfolio for such assets as of June 30, 2015.

 

Counterparty   Derivative
Assets Subject to
Master Netting
Agreement
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Received
(a)
     Cash
Collateral
Received
(a)
     Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
(b)
 

Bank of America, N.A.

  $ 217,988       $         —       $         —       $       $ 217,988   

Wells Fargo bank, N.A.

    963,244                         (963,244        
    $ 1,181,232       $       $       $ (963,244    $ 217,988   

 

(a) 

In some instances, the actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown due to overcollateralization.

 

(b) 

Net amount represents the net amount due from the counterparty in the event of default.

Information with respect to securities on loan at June 30, 2015 is included at Note 7.

 

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Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

The effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) on the Statement of Operations and whose primary underlying risk exposure is interest rate risk for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows:

 

Derivative   Realized Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives Recognized
in Income
     Change in Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) on
Derivatives Recognized in  Income
 

Financial futures contracts

  $ (78,446 )(1)     $ 60,551 (2) 

Interest rate swaptions purchased

    (508,768 )(3)       762,876 (4) 

Total

  $ (587,214    $ 823,427   

 

(1) 

Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) – Financial futures contracts.

 

(2) 

Statement of Operations location: Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) – Financial futures contracts.

 

(3) 

Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) – Investment transactions.

 

(4) 

Statement of Operations location: Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) – Investments.

The average notional amounts of derivative contracts outstanding during the six months ended June 30, 2015, which are indicative of the volume of these derivative types, were as follows:

 

Futures
Contracts — Long
    Futures
Contracts — Short
    Interest Rate
Swaptions
Purchased
 
  $1,020,000      $ 603,000      $ 23,600,000   

6  Line of Credit

The Portfolio participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in a $750 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through September 7, 2015. Borrowings are made by the Portfolio solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Portfolio 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 0.08% 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 Portfolio, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Portfolio did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

7  Securities Lending Agreement

The Portfolio has established a securities lending agreement with SSBT as securities lending agent in which the Portfolio lends portfolio securities to qualified borrowers in exchange for collateral consisting of either cash or U.S. Government securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Portfolio on the next business day. Cash collateral is invested in Cash Collateral Fund. The Portfolio earns interest on the amount invested in Cash Collateral Fund but it must pay (and at times receive from) the broker a loan rebate fee computed as a varying percentage of the collateral received. Income earned by the Portfolio from its investment in Cash Collateral Fund, prior to rebates and fees, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 amounted to $1,160.

The Portfolio is subject to possible delay in the recovery of loaned securities. Pursuant to the securities lending agreement, SSBT has provided indemnification to the Portfolio in the event of default by a borrower with respect to a loan. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash collateral in Cash Collateral Fund.

At June 30, 2015, the value of the securities loaned and the value of the collateral received, which exceeded the value of the securities loaned, amounted to $3,265,984 and $3,334,483, respectively. The carrying amount of the liability for collateral for securities loaned at June 30, 2015 approximated its fair value. If measured at fair value, such liability would have been considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 8) at June 30, 2015.

 

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Core Bond Portfolio

June 30, 2015

 

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 June 30, 2015, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s investments and open derivative instruments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

  $         —       $ 71,169,072       $         —       $ 71,169,072   

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

            51,798,911                 51,798,911   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

            863,235                 863,235   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

            16,307,618                 16,307,618   

Asset-Backed Securities

            30,589,341                 30,589,341   

Foreign Government Bonds

            1,847,760                 1,847,760   

Foreign Government Agency Bonds

            600,216                 600,216   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

            67,154,795                 67,154,795   

Preferred Securities

            1,028,082                 1,028,082   

Interest Rate Swaptions Purchased

            1,181,232                 1,181,232   

Short-Term Investments

            8,431,068                 8,431,068   

Total Investments

  $       $ 250,971,330       $       $ 250,971,330   

The Portfolio held no investments or other financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 whose fair value was determined using Level 3 inputs. At June 30, 2015, there were no investments transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the six months then ended.

9  Name Change

Effective May 1, 2015, the name of Core Bond Portfolio was changed from Investment Grade Income Portfolio.

 

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Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

June 30, 2015

 

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, administered and/or distributed by Eaton Vance Management or its affiliates (the “Eaton Vance Funds”) held on April 27, 2015, 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 2015. 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:

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 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 and customized peer groups 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 investment strategies and processes it employs;

 

 

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 compensation and 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;

 

 

Descriptions of 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;

 

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Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

June 30, 2015

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

Other Relevant Information

 

 

Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment management 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, 2015, with respect to one or more funds, the Board met nine 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 eight, seventeen, seven, eleven and thirteen times, respectively. At such meetings, the Trustees participated in investment and performance reviews with the portfolio managers and other investment professionals of each adviser relating to each fund, and considered the investment and trading strategies used in pursuing each fund’s investment objective, including, where relevant, the use of derivative instruments, as well as processes for monitoring best execution of portfolio transactions and 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, 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 agreement of Core Bond Portfolio (formerly, Investment Grade Income Portfolio) (the “Portfolio”), the portfolio in which Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund (formerly, Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund) (the “Fund”) invests, with Boston Management and Research (the “Adviser”), an affiliate of Eaton Vance Management, including its fee structure, is in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of the agreement. The Board accepted the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee as well as the factors considered and conclusions reached by the Contract Review Committee with respect to the agreement. Accordingly, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the Portfolio.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In considering whether to approve the investment advisory agreement of the Portfolio, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser.

The Board considered the Adviser’s management capabilities and investment process with respect to the types of investments held by the Portfolio, including the education, experience and number of its investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Portfolio. The Board noted the abilities and experience of such investment personnel in analyzing factors relevant to investing in investment grade fixed income securities. 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 investment personnel. In addition, the Board considered the time and attention devoted to the Portfolio by senior management, as well as the infrastructure, operational capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the management of the Portfolio, including the provision of administrative services.

The Board considered the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof. Among other matters, the Board considered compliance and reporting matters relating to personal trading by investment personnel, selective disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio

 

  31  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

June 30, 2015

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

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 family of funds, 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, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement.

Fund Performance

The Board compared the Fund’s investment performance to that of comparable funds and appropriate benchmark indices. The Board’s review included comparative performance data for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended September 30, 2014 for the Fund. The Board concluded that the performance of the Fund was satisfactory.

Management Fees and Expenses

The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by the Portfolio and 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 year ended September 30, 2014, 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, as identified by management in response to inquiries from the Contract Review Committee, as well as actions taken by management in recent years to reduce expenses at the fund complex level.

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

Profitability

The Board considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund, to the Portfolio and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to revenue sharing 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 benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with their relationships with the Fund and the Portfolio, including the benefits of research services that may be available to the Adviser as a result of securities transactions effected for the Portfolio 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 are reasonable.

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 and the Portfolio, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Fund and the Portfolio increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from the economies of scale 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 the benefits from economies of scale. The Board also concluded that, assuming reasonably foreseeable increases in the assets of the Fund and the Portfolio, the structure of the advisory fee, which includes breakpoints at several asset levels, will allow the Fund and the Portfolio to continue to benefit from economies of scale in the future.

 

  32  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

June 30, 2015

 

Officers and Trustees

 

 

Officers of Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund

 

 

Payson F. Swaffield

President

Maureen A. Gemma

Vice President, Secretary and

Chief Legal Officer

James F. Kirchner

Treasurer

Paul M. O’Neil

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

Officers of Core Bond Portfolio

 

 

Thomas H. Luster

President

Payson F. Swaffield

Vice President

Maureen A. Gemma

Vice President, Secretary and

Chief Legal Officer

James F. Kirchner

Treasurer

Paul M. O’Neil

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

Trustees of Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund and Core Bond Portfolio

 

 

Ralph F. Verni

Chairman

Scott E. Eston

Thomas E. Faust Jr.*

Cynthia E. Frost

George J. Gorman

Valerie A. Mosley

William H. Park

Helen Frame Peters

Susan J. Sutherland**

Harriett Tee Taggart

 

 

* Interested Trustee
** Ms. Sutherland began serving as a Trustee effective May 1, 2015.

 

  33  


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’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 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.

 

  34  


 

 

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Investment Adviser of Core Bond Portfolio

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Administrator of Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

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

7754    6.30.15


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. 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.

 

Core Bond Portfolio
By:  

/s/ Thomas H. Luster

  Thomas H. Luster
  President
Date:   August 17, 2015

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:   August 17, 2015
By:  

/s/ Thomas H. Luster

  Thomas H. Luster
  President
Date:   August 17, 2015