JPMorgan Trust I
JPMORGAN TRUST I
JPMorgan Access Funds
JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund
JPMorgan Access Growth Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated November 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Income Funds
JPMorgan Corporate Bond Fund
JPMorgan Emerging Markets Debt Fund
JPMorgan Floating Rate Income Fund
JPMorgan Global Bond Opportunities Fund
JPMorgan Income Fund
JPMorgan Inflation Managed Bond Fund
JPMorgan Managed Income Fund
JPMorgan Short Duration Core Plus Fund
JPMorgan Strategic Income Opportunities Fund
JPMorgan Total Return Fund
JPMorgan Unconstrained Debt Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020, as supplemented
JPMorgan Emerging Markets Strategic
Debt Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated March 1, 2021
J.P. Morgan International Equity Funds
JPMorgan Emerging Markets Equity Fund
JPMorgan Europe Dynamic Fund
JPMorgan International Equity Fund
JPMorgan International Focus Fund
JPMorgan International Value Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
March 1, 2021, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Money Market Funds
JPMorgan California Municipal Money Market Fund
JPMorgan Federal Money Market Fund
JPMorgan New York Municipal Money Market Fund
JPMorgan Tax Free Money Market Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020, as supplemented
JPMorgan 100% U.S. Treasury Securities
Money Market Fund
JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020 and February 23, 2021
J.P. Morgan Funds
JPMorgan Global Allocation Fund
JPMorgan Income Builder Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
March 1, 2021
J.P. Morgan Municipal Bond Funds
JPMorgan California Tax Free Bond Fund
JPMorgan High Yield Municipal Fund
JPMorgan Intermediate Tax Free Bond Fund
JPMorgan New York Tax Free Bond Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated July 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Tax Aware Funds
JPMorgan Tax Aware Equity Fund
JPMorgan Tax Aware Real Return Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated March 1, 2021, as supplemented
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Income Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® 2020 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® 2025 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® 2030 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® 2035 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® 2040 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® 2045 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® 2050 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® 2055 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® 2060 Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as
supplemented
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® Blend Income Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2020 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® Blend 2025 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2030 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® Blend 2035 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2040 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® Blend 2045 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2050 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement® Blend 2055 Fund
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2060 Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan U.S. Equity Funds
JPMorgan Diversified Fund
JPMorgan Equity Focus Fund
SUP-SAIII-421
JPMorgan Hedged Equity Fund
JPMorgan U.S. GARP Equity Fund
(formerly JPMorgan Intrepid Growth Fund)
JPMorgan Intrepid Value Fund
JPMorgan Mid Cap Equity Fund
JPMorgan Small Cap Blend Fund
JPMorgan Small Cap Core Fund
JPMorgan Small Cap Equity Fund
JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund
JPMorgan U.S. Large Cap Core Plus Fund
JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Equity Fund
JPMorgan U.S. Small Company Fund
JPMorgan U.S. Sustainable Leaders Fund (formerly
JPMorgan Intrepid Sustainable Equity Fund)
JPMorgan U.S. Value Fund
(formerly JPMorgan Growth and Income Fund)
JPMorgan Value Advantage Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Specialty Funds
JPMorgan Opportunistic Equity Long/Short Fund
JPMorgan Research Market Neutral Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
March 1, 2021,
as supplemented
JPMORGAN TRUST II
J.P. Morgan Income Funds
JPMorgan Core Bond Fund
JPMorgan Core Plus Bond Fund
JPMorgan Government Bond Fund
JPMorgan High Yield Fund
JPMorgan Limited Duration Bond Fund
JPMorgan Mortgage-Backed Securities Fund
JPMorgan Short Duration Bond Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated July 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan International Equity Funds
JPMorgan International Research Enhanced Equity Fund
Statement of Additional
Information dated March 1, 2021, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Money Market Funds
JPMorgan Liquid Assets Money Market Fund
JPMorgan Municipal Money Market Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020, as supplemented
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020 and
February 23, 2021
J.P. Morgan Investor Funds
JPMorgan Investor Balanced Fund
JPMorgan Investor Conservative Growth Fund
JPMorgan Investor Growth Fund
JPMorgan Investor Growth & Income Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
March 1, 2021, as
supplemented
J.P. Morgan Municipal Bond Funds
JPMorgan Sustainable Municipal Income Fund
JPMorgan Short-Intermediate Municipal
Bond Fund
JPMorgan Tax Free Bond Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated July 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan U.S. Equity Funds
JPMorgan Equity Income Fund
JPMorgan Equity Index Fund
JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund
JPMorgan Large Cap Value Fund
JPMorgan Market Expansion Enhanced Index Fund
JPMorgan Mid Cap Growth Fund
JPMorgan Small Cap Growth Fund
JPMorgan Small Cap Value Fund
JPMorgan SMID Cap Equity Fund
(formerly JPMorgan Intrepid Mid Cap Fund)
Statement of Additional Information
dated
November 1, 2020, as supplemented
JPMORGAN TRUST IV
J.P. Morgan International Equity Funds
JPMorgan Emerging Markets Research
Enhanced Equity Fund
JPMorgan International Equity Plus Fund
JPMorgan International Hedged Equity Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
March 1, 2021,
as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Specialty Funds
JPMorgan Macro Opportunities Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated March 1, 2021, as supplemented
JPMorgan SmartSpending 2015SM Fund
JPMorgan SmartSpending 2020SM Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Money Market Funds
JPMorgan Institutional Tax Free Money
Market Fund
JPMorgan
Securities Lending Money Market Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan Municipal Bond Funds
JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan SMA Funds
JPMorgan Core Focus SMA Fund
JPMorgan Municipal SMA Fund
Statements of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. Morgan U.S. Equity Funds
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as supplemented
JPMorgan Hedged Equity 2 Fund
JPMorgan Hedged Equity 3 Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
February 16, 2021, as
supplemented
J.P. MORGAN FLEMING MUTUAL FUND GROUP, INC.
J.P. Morgan U.S. Equity Funds
JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as supplemented
J.P. MORGAN MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENT TRUST
J.P. Morgan U.S. Equity Funds
JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as
supplemented
UNDISCOVERED MANAGERS FUNDS
JPMorgan Realty Income Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
July 1, 2020, as supplemented
Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund
Statement of Additional Information dated
November 1, 2020, as supplemented
(All Share Classes)
Supplement dated April 1, 2021 to
the Statements of Additional Information as dated above
The Statement of Additional Information
Part II (SAI Part II) for the above J.P. Morgan Funds is replaced in its entirety with the attached SAI Part II.
INVESTORS SHOULD RETAIN THIS SUPPLEMENT
WITH THE STATEMENTS OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
J.P. Morgan Funds
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PART II
Part II of this SAI describes
policies and practices that apply to each of the J.P. Morgan Funds discussed in Part I of this SAI, which, precedes this Part II. This Part II is not a standalone document and must be read in conjunction with Part I. References in this Part II to a
“Fund” mean each J.P. Morgan Fund, unless noted otherwise. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Part II have the meanings given to them in Part I of this SAI.
As of April 1, 2021
Part II
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A-1
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B-1
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INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
As noted in the applicable
Prospectuses for each of the Funds, in addition to the investment strategies and the investment risks described in the Prospectuses, each Fund may employ other investment strategies and may be subject to other risks, which are described below. Each
Fund may engage in the practices described below to the extent consistent with its investment objectives, strategies, policies and restrictions. However, no Fund is required to engage in any particular transaction or purchase any particular type of
securities or investment even if to do so might benefit the Fund. Because the following is a combined description of investment strategies of all of the Funds, (i) certain matters described herein may not apply to particular Funds and (ii) certain
references to the Adviser may also include a Sub-Adviser, as the context requires.
An investment in a Fund or any
other fund may not provide a complete investment program. The suitability of an investment in a Fund should be considered based on the investment objective, strategies and risks described in the Fund’s prospectus and this SAI, considered in
light of all of the other investments in your portfolio, as well as your risk tolerance, financial goals and time horizons. You may want to consult with a financial advisor to determine if a Fund is suitable for you. The value of your investment in
a Fund will fluctuate in response to movements in the market. Fund performance also will depend on the effectiveness of the Adviser’s research and the management team’s investment decisions. Tax considerations may limit a Fund’s
ability to pursue an investment opportunity or influence portfolio management decisions for the Fund. Future legislative and regulatory determinations may adversely affect the overall market for an instrument in which a Fund may invest and the Fund
itself. There is no assurance that any Fund investment can be successfully employed. An investment in a Fund involves risk of a total loss.
For a list of investment strategies
and policies employed by each Fund, see “INVESTMENT PRACTICES” in Part I of this SAI.
Asset-Backed Securities
Asset-backed securities
consist of securities secured by company receivables, home equity loans, truck and auto loans, leases, or credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities also include other securities backed by other types of receivables or other assets, including
collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) and other similarly structured securities. CDOs include collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and collateral bond obligations
(“CBOs”). Such assets are generally securitized through the use of trusts or special purpose corporations. Asset-backed securities are backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations often of a number of different parties.
Certain of these securities may be illiquid.
Asset-backed securities are
generally subject to the risks of the underlying assets. In addition, asset-backed securities, in general, are subject to certain additional risks including depreciation, damage or loss of the collateral backing the security, failure of the
collateral to generate the anticipated cash flow or in certain cases more rapid prepayment because of events affecting the collateral, such as accelerated prepayment of loans backing these securities or destruction of equipment subject to equipment
trust certificates. In addition, the underlying assets (for example, underlying home equity loans) may be refinanced or paid off prior to maturity during periods of increasing or declining interest rates. During periods of declining interest rates,
prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Changes in prepayment rates can result in greater price and yield volatility. If asset-backed securities are pre-paid, a Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds
from the securities at a lower rate. Potential market gains on a security subject to prepayment risk may be more limited than potential market gains on a comparable security that is not subject to prepayment risk. Under certain prepayment rate
scenarios, a Fund may fail to recover additional amounts paid (i.e., premiums) for securities with higher interest rates, resulting in an unexpected loss.
A CBO is a trust or other
special purpose entity (“SPE”) which is typically backed by a diversified pool of fixed income securities (which may include high risk, below investment grade securities). A CLO is a trust or other SPE that is typically collateralized by
a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and non-U.S. senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. While many
CDOs may receive credit enhancement in the form of a senior-subordinate structure, over-collateralization or bond insurance, such enhancement may not always be present and may fail to protect a Fund against the risk of loss on default of the
collateral. Certain CDOs may use derivatives contracts to create “synthetic”
exposure to assets
rather than holding such assets directly, which entails the risks of derivative instruments described elsewhere in this SAI. CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses, which are in addition to those of a Fund.
The cash flows for CDOs from
the SPE usually are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche, which bears the first loss from defaults from the bonds or loans in the SPE and serves to
protect the other, more senior tranches from default (though such protection is not complete). Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CDO typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying securities,
and may be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, downgrades of the underlying collateral by rating agencies, forced liquidation of the
collateral pool due to a failure of coverage tests, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as investor aversion to CDO securities as a class.
Interest on certain tranches of a CDO may be paid in kind or deferred and capitalized (paid in the form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which involves continued exposure to default risk with respect to such payments.
The risks of an investment in a
CDO depend largely on the type of the collateral or securities and the class of the CDO in which a Fund invests. CDO tranches often have credit ratings and are typically issued in classes with various priorities. Normally, CDOs are privately offered
and sold (that is, they are not registered under the securities laws), and may be subject to additional liquidity risks. However, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs, allowing a CDO to be sold pursuant to Rule 144A. In addition to the risks
typically associated with fixed income securities and asset-backed securities generally discussed elsewhere in this SAI, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities
will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the risk that the collateral may default or decline in value or be downgraded, if rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”); (iii) a Fund may
invest in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the structure and complexity of the transaction and the legal documents could lead to disputes among investors regarding the characterization of proceeds; (v) the investment
return achieved by the Fund could be significantly different than those predicted by financial models; (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market for CDOs; (vii) risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due to technical defaults
such as coverage test failures; (viii) values may be volatile; (ix) disputes with the issuer may produce unexpected results; and (x) the CDO’s manager may perform poorly.
Certain Funds may purchase
ABCP that is issued by conduits sponsored by banks, mortgage companies, investment banking firms, finance companies, hedge funds, private equity firms and special purpose finance entities. ABCP typically refers to a debt security with an original
term to maturity of up to 270 days, the payment of which is supported from underlying assets, or one or more liquidity or credit support providers, or both. Assets backing ABCP, which may be included in revolving pools of assets with large numbers
of obligors, include credit card, car loan and other consumer receivables and home or commercial mortgages, including subprime mortgages. To protect investors from the risk of non-payment, ABCP programs are generally structured with various
protections, such as credit enhancement, liquidity support, and commercial paper stop issuance and wind-down triggers. There can be no guarantee that these protections will be sufficient to prevent losses to investors in ABCP. The repayment of ABCP
issued by a conduit depends primarily on the conduit’s ability to issue new ABCP, access to the liquidity or credit support and, to a lesser extent, cash collections received from the conduit’s underlying asset portfolio. There could be
losses to a Fund’s investing in ABCP in the event that: (i) the Fund is unable to access the liquidity or credit support for the ABCP; (ii) the conduit is unable to issue new ABCP; (iii) there is credit or market deterioration in the
conduit’s underlying portfolio; and (iv) there are mismatches in the timing of the cash flows of the underlying asset interests and the repayment obligations of maturing ABCP.
Some ABCP programs historically
have provided for an extension of the maturity date of the ABCP if, on the related maturity date, the conduit is unable to access sufficient liquidity by issuing additional ABCP. This may delay the sale of the underlying collateral and a Fund may
incur a loss if the value of the collateral deteriorates during the extension period. Alternatively, if collateral for ABCP deteriorates in value, the collateral may be required to be sold at inopportune times or at prices insufficient to repay the
principal and interest on the ABCP. ABCP programs may provide for the issuance of subordinated notes as an additional form of credit enhancement. The subordinated notes are typically of a lower credit quality and have a higher risk of default. A
Fund purchasing these subordinated notes will therefore have a higher likelihood of loss than investors in the senior notes.
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with any Fund investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for
the definition of “investment company” provided by Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
Auction Rate Securities
Auction rate securities
consist of auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities sold through an auction process issued by closed-end investment companies, municipalities and governmental agencies. For more information on risks associated with
municipal securities, see “Municipal Securities” below.
Provided that the auction
mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and
other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit
auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Failed auctions may adversely impact the liquidity of auction rate securities investments. There is no
guarantee that a liquid market will exist for a Fund’s investments in auction rate securities at a time when the Fund wishes to dispose of such securities.
Dividends on auction rate
preferred securities issued by a closed-end fund may be designated as exempt from federal income tax to the extent they are attributable to tax-exempt interest income earned by the closed-end fund on the securities in its portfolio and distributed
to holders of the preferred securities. However, such designation may be made only if the closed-end fund treats preferred securities as equity securities for federal income tax purposes and the closed-end fund complies with certain requirements
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
A Fund’s investment in
auction rate preferred securities of closed-end funds is subject to limitations on investments in other U.S. registered investment companies, which limitations are prescribed under the 1940 Act. Except as permitted by rule or exemptive order (see
“Investment Company Securities and Exchange-Traded Funds” below for more information), a Fund is generally prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the voting securities of any other such investment company, and investing more than 5%
of a Fund’s total assets in securities of any one such investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all such investment companies. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees paid by
such closed-end funds in addition to the advisory fee payable directly by the Fund.
Bank Obligations
Bank obligations include
bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, bank notes and time deposits.
Bankers’ acceptances are
negotiable drafts or bills of exchange typically drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the
instrument on maturity.
Certificates of deposit are
negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank or a savings and loan association for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Certificates of deposit may also include those issued by foreign banks
outside the United States (“U.S.”). Such certificates of deposit include Eurodollar and Yankee certificates of deposit. Eurodollar certificates of deposit are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by branches of foreign
and domestic banks located outside the U.S. Yankee certificates of deposit are certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank denominated in U.S. dollars and held in the U.S. Certain Funds may also invest in obligations (including
bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit) denominated in foreign currencies (see “Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies)”) herein. With regard to certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks and savings and loan
associations, to be eligible for purchase by a Fund, a certificate of deposit must be issued by (i) a domestic or foreign branch of a U.S. commercial bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve System or the deposits of which are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or (ii) a domestic savings and loan association, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Time deposits are
interest-bearing non-negotiable deposits at a bank or a savings and loan association that have a specific maturity date. A time deposit earns a specific rate of interest over a definite period of time. Time deposits cannot be traded on the secondary
market.
The Funds will
not invest in obligations for which the Adviser, or any of its affiliated persons, is the ultimate obligor or accepting bank, provided, however, that the Funds maintain demand deposits at their affiliated custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(“JPMorgan Chase Bank”).
Subject to a Fund’s
limitations on concentration in a particular industry, there is no limitation on the amount of a Fund’s assets which may be invested in obligations of banks which meet the conditions set forth herein.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper is a
short-term obligation, generally with a maturity from 1 to 270 days, issued by a bank or bank holding company, corporation or finance company. Although commercial paper is generally unsecured, the Funds may also purchase secured commercial paper. In
the event of a default of an issuer of secured commercial paper, a Fund may hold the securities and other investments that were pledged as collateral even if it does not invest in such securities or investments. In such a case, the Fund would take
steps to dispose of such securities or investments in a commercially reasonable manner. Commercial paper includes master demand obligations. See “Variable and Floating Rate Instruments” below.
Certain Funds may also invest
in Canadian commercial paper, which is commercial paper issued by a Canadian corporation or a Canadian counterpart of a U.S. corporation, and in Europaper, which is U.S. dollar denominated commercial paper of a foreign issuer. See “Risk
Factors of Foreign Investments” below. Certain Funds may purchase commercial paper that is issued by conduits, including ABCP. Additional information about ABCP is included under “Asset-Backed Securities.”
Convertible Securities
Certain Funds may invest in
convertible securities. Convertible securities include any debt securities or preferred stock which may be converted into common stock or which carry the right to purchase common stock. Generally, convertible securities entitle the holder to
exchange the securities for a specified number of shares of common stock, usually of the same company, at specified prices within a certain period of time.
The terms of any convertible
security determine its ranking in a company’s capital structure. In the case of subordinated convertible debentures, the holders’ claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of other creditors, and are senior to the
claims of preferred and common shareholders. In the case of convertible preferred stock, the holders’ claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of all creditors and are senior to the claims of common shareholders.
Convertible securities have
characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Due to the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to move together with the market value of the underlying common stock. As a result, selection of convertible
securities, to a great extent, is based on the potential for capital appreciation that may exist in the underlying stock. The value of convertible securities is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer, and any
call provisions. In some cases, the issuer may cause a convertible security to convert to common stock. In other situations, it may be advantageous for a Fund to cause the conversion of convertible securities to common stock. If a convertible
security converts to common stock, a Fund may hold such common stock in its portfolio even if it does not ordinarily invest in common stock.
Certain Funds invest in
contingent securities structured as contingent convertible securities also known as CoCos. Contingent convertible securities are typically issued by non-U.S. banks and are designed to behave like bonds in times of economic health yet absorb losses
when a pre-determined trigger event occurs. A contingent convertible security is a hybrid debt security either convertible into equity at a predetermined share price or written down in value based on the specific terms of the individual security if
a pre-specified trigger event occurs (the “Trigger Event”). Unlike traditional convertible securities, the conversion of a contingent convertible security from debt to equity is “contingent” and will occur only in the case of
a Trigger Event. Trigger Events vary by instrument and are defined by the documents governing the contingent convertible security. Such Trigger Events may include a decline in the issuer’s capital below a specified threshold level, increase in
the issuer’s risk weighted assets, the share price of the issuer falling to a particular level for a certain period of time and certain regulatory events.
Contingent convertible
securities are subject to the credit, interest rate, high yield security, foreign security and markets risks associated with bonds and equities, and to the risks specific to convertible securities in general. Contingent convertible securities are
also subject to additional risks specific to their structure including conversion risk. Because Trigger Events are not consistently defined among contingent convertible securities, this risk is greater for contingent convertible securities that are
issued by banks with capital ratios close to the level specified in the Trigger Event.
In addition, coupon payments on
contingent convertible securities are discretionary and may be cancelled by the issuer at any point, for any reason, and for any length of time. The discretionary cancellation of payments is not an event of default and there are no remedies to
require re-instatement of coupon payments or payment of any past missed payments. Coupon payments may also be subject to approval by the issuer’s regulator and may be suspended in the event there are insufficient distributable reserves. Due to
uncertainty surrounding coupon payments, contingent convertible securities may be volatile and their price may decline rapidly in the event that coupon payments are suspended.
Contingent convertible
securities typically are structurally subordinated to traditional convertible bonds in the issuer’s capital structure. In certain scenarios, investors in contingent convertible securities may suffer a loss of capital ahead of equity holders or
when equity holders do not. Contingent convertible securities are also subject to extension risk. Contingent convertible securities are perpetual instruments and may only be callable at pre-determined dates upon approval of the applicable regulatory
authority. There is no guarantee that a Fund will receive return of principal on contingent convertible securities.
Convertible contingent
securities are a newer form of instrument and the regulatory environment for these instruments continues to evolve. Because the market for contingent convertible securities is evolving, it is uncertain how the larger market for contingent
convertible securities would react to a Trigger Event or coupon suspension applicable to a single issuer.
The value of contingent
convertible securities is unpredictable and will be influenced by many factors such as: (i) the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer’s applicable capital ratios; (ii) supply and demand for contingent convertible
securities; (iii) general market conditions and available liquidity; and (iv) economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general.
Custodial Receipts
Certain Funds may acquire
securities in the form of custodial receipts that evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain U.S. Treasury notes or bonds in connection with programs sponsored by banks and brokerage firms. These are not
considered U.S. government securities and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. These notes and bonds are held in custody by a bank on behalf of the owners of the receipts.
Debt Instruments
Below Investment Grade
Securities. Securities that were rated investment grade at the time of purchase may subsequently be rated below investment grade (BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) and
Bal or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)). Certain Funds that do not invest in below investment grade securities as a main investment strategy may nonetheless continue to hold such securities if the Adviser
believes it is advantageous for the Fund to do so. The high degree of risk involved in these investments can result in substantial or total losses. These securities are subject to greater risk of loss, greater sensitivity to interest rate and
economic changes, valuation difficulties, and a potential lack of a secondary or public market for securities. The market price of these securities also can change suddenly and unexpectedly.
Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities may include bonds and other debt securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, including obligations of industrial, utility, banking and other corporate issuers. All debt securities are subject to
the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and
general market liquidity.
High Yield/High Risk
Securities/Junk Bonds. Certain Funds may invest in high yield securities, to varying degrees. High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies
(BB+ or lower by S&P and Bal or lower by Moody’s) or unrated but
determined by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality. Other terms used to describe such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade bonds,” “below investment grade bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These
securities are considered to be high-risk investments.
High yield securities are
regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted,
financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of
senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, a Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments. A Fund may also incur additional expenses in seeking recovery from the
issuer.
The income and
market value of lower rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change,
the market price of the investments in lower rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
It is often more difficult to
value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. The lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there
may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on the judgment of the Adviser than is the case
with higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, a Fund that invests in lower rated securities may be required to sell
investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit quality of non-investment
grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
Future legislation may have a
possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New
legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on a Fund’s investments in lower rated securities.
Inflation-Linked Debt
Securities. Inflation-linked securities include fixed and floating rate debt securities of varying maturities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, such as Treasury Inflation Protected
Securities (“TIPS”), as well as securities issued by other entities such as corporations, municipalities, foreign governments and foreign issuers, including foreign issuers from emerging markets. See also “Foreign Investments
(including Foreign Currencies).” Typically, such securities are structured as fixed income investments whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. The U.S. Treasury, among some other issuers, issues
inflation-linked securities that accrue inflation into the principal value of the security and other issuers may pay out the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) accruals as part of a semi-annual coupon. Other types of inflation-linked
securities exist which use an inflation index other than the CPI.
Inflation-linked securities
issued by the U.S. Treasury, such as TIPS, have maturities of approximately five, ten or thirty years, although it is possible that securities with other maturities will be issued in the future. Typically, TIPS pay interest on a semi-annual basis
equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. For example, if a Fund purchased an inflation-indexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and the rate of inflation
over the first six months was 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15 ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year resulted in the whole year’s
inflation of 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be $1,030 and the second semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 times 1.5%).
If the periodic adjustment rate
measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the
original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of TIPS, even during a period of deflation, although the inflation-adjusted principal received could be less than the inflation-adjusted principal that had
accrued to the bond at the time of purchase. However, the current market value of the bonds is not
guaranteed and
will fluctuate. Other inflation-related bonds may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
The value of inflation-linked
securities is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if the rate of inflation rises at a faster
rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-linked securities.
While inflation-linked
securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency
exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.
The periodic adjustment of U.S.
inflation-linked securities is tied to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is not seasonally adjusted and which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of
changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. Inflation-linked securities issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index calculated by that
government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or a foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign
country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the U.S.
Any increase in the principal
amount of an inflation-linked security will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.
Variable and Floating Rate
Instruments. Certain obligations purchased by the Funds may carry variable or floating rates of interest, may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature and may include variable amount master demand
notes. Variable and floating rate instruments are issued by a wide variety of issuers and may be issued for a wide variety of purposes, including as a method of reconstructing cash flows.
Subject to their investment
objective policies and restrictions, certain Funds may acquire variable and floating rate instruments. A variable rate instrument has terms that provide for the adjustment of its interest rate on set dates and which, upon such adjustment, can
reasonably be expected to have a market value that approximates its par value. Certain Funds may purchase extendable commercial notes. Extendable commercial notes are variable rate notes which typically mature within a short period of time (e.g., 1
month) but which may be extended by the issuer for a maximum maturity of thirteen months.
A floating rate instrument has
terms that provide for the adjustment of its interest rate whenever a specified interest rate changes and which, at any time, can reasonably be expected to have a market value that approximates its par value. Floating rate instruments are frequently
not rated by credit rating agencies; however, unrated variable and floating rate instruments purchased by a Fund will be determined by the Fund’s Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase to rated instruments eligible for
purchase under the Fund’s investment policies. In making such determinations, a Fund’s Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments (such issuers include financial,
merchandising, bank holding and other companies) and will continuously monitor their financial condition. There may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable or floating rate instrument purchased by a Fund. The absence of
such an active secondary market could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of the variable or floating rate instrument involved in the event the issuer of the instrument defaulted on its payment obligations, and the Fund could, for this or
other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the default. Variable or floating rate instruments may be secured by bank letters of credit or other assets. A Fund may purchase a variable or floating rate instrument to facilitate portfolio liquidity
or to permit investment of the Fund’s assets at a favorable rate of return.
As a result of the floating and
variable rate nature of these investments, the Funds’ yields may decline, and they may forego the opportunity for capital appreciation during periods when interest rates decline; however, during periods when interest rates increase, the
Funds’ yields may increase, and they may have reduced risk of capital depreciation.
Past periods of high inflation,
together with the fiscal measures adopted to attempt to deal with it, have seen wide fluctuations in interest rates, particularly “prime rates” charged by banks. While the value of the underlying floating or variable rate securities may
change with changes in interest rates generally, the nature of the underlying floating or variable rate should minimize changes in value of the instruments.
Accordingly, as
interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation and the risk of potential capital depreciation is less than would be the case with a portfolio of fixed rate securities. A Fund’s portfolio may contain floating or
variable rate securities on which stated minimum or maximum rates, or maximum rates set by state law limit the degree to which interest on such floating or variable rate securities may fluctuate; to the extent it does, increases or decreases in
value may be somewhat greater than would be the case without such limits. Because the adjustment of interest rates on the floating or variable rate securities is made in relation to movements of the applicable banks’ “prime rates”
or other short-term rate securities adjustment indices, the floating or variable rate securities are not comparable to long-term fixed rate securities. Accordingly, interest rates on the floating or variable rate securities may be higher or lower
than current market rates for fixed rate obligations of comparable quality with similar maturities.
Variable Amount Master Notes. Variable amount master notes are notes, which may possess a demand feature, that permit the indebtedness to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate according to the terms of the instrument.
Variable amount master notes may not be secured by collateral. To the extent that variable amount master notes are secured by collateral, they are subject to the risks described under the section “Loans—Collateral and Subordination
Risk.”
Because master notes are
direct lending arrangements between a Fund and the issuer of the notes, they are not typically traded. Although there is no secondary market in the notes, a Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest. If the Fund is not repaid such
principal and accrued interest, the Fund may not be able to dispose of the notes due to the lack of a secondary market.
While master notes are not
typically rated by credit rating agencies, issuers of variable amount master notes (which are typically manufacturing, retail, financial, brokerage, investment banking and other business concerns) must satisfy the same criteria as those set forth
with respect to commercial paper, if any, in Part I of this SAI under the heading “Credit Quality.” A Fund’s Adviser will consider the credit risk of the issuers of such notes, including its earning power, cash flow, and other
liquidity ratios of such issuers and will continuously monitor their financial status and ability to meet payment on demand. In determining average weighted portfolio maturity, a variable amount master note will be deemed to have a maturity equal to
the period of time remaining until the principal amount can be recovered from the issuer.
Variable Rate Instruments and
Money Market Funds. Variable or floating rate instruments with stated maturities of more than 397 days may, under the SEC’s rule applicable to money market funds, Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, be deemed to have
shorter maturities (other than in connection with the calculation of dollar-weighted average life to maturity of a portfolio) as follows:
(1) Adjustable Rate Government Securities. A Government Security which is a variable rate security where the variable rate of interest is readjusted no less frequently than every 397 days shall be deemed to have a
maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate. A Government Security which is a floating rate security shall be deemed to have a remaining maturity of one day.
(2) Short-Term Variable Rate Securities. A variable rate security, the principal amount of which, in accordance with the terms of the security, must unconditionally be paid in 397 calendar days or less shall be deemed
to have maturity equal to the earlier of the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate or the period remaining until the principal amount can be recovered through demand.
(3) Long-Term Variable Rate Securities. A variable rate security, the principal amount of which is scheduled to be paid in more than 397 days, that is subject to a demand feature shall be deemed to have a maturity
equal to the longer of the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate or the period remaining until the principal amount can be recovered through demand.
(4) Short-Term Floating Rate Securities. A floating rate security, the principal amount of which, in accordance with the terms of the security, must unconditionally be paid in 397 calendar days or less shall be deemed
to have a maturity of one day.
(5) Long-Term Floating Rate Securities. A floating rate security, the principal amount of which is scheduled to be paid in more than 397 days, that is subject to a demand feature, shall be deemed to have a maturity
equal to the period remaining until the principal amount can be recovered through demand.
Limitations on the Use of
Variable and Floating Rate Notes. Variable and floating rate instruments for which no readily available market exists will be purchased in an amount which, together with securities with legal or contractual
restrictions on resale or for which no readily available market exists (including repurchase agreements providing for settlement more than seven days after notice), exceeds 5% of total assets for the J.P. Morgan Funds which are money market funds
(the “Money Market Funds”) only if such instruments are subject to a demand feature that will permit the Fund to demand payment of the principal within seven days after demand by the Fund. Funds other than Money Market Funds may not
invest in Illiquid Investments (defined herein) (including variable and floating rate notes that are determined to be Illiquid Investments) in excess of the 15% Illiquid Limit (defined herein). Please see the “Liquidity Risk Management
Program” section for more details. There is no limit on the extent to which a Fund may purchase demand instruments that are not illiquid or deemed to be liquid in accordance with the Adviser’s liquidity determination procedures (except,
with regard to the Money Market Funds, as provided under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act). If not rated, such instruments must be found by the Adviser to be of comparable quality to instruments in which a Fund may invest. A rating may be relied upon
only if it is provided by an NRSRO that is not affiliated with the issuer or guarantor of the instruments.
Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and
Deferred Payment Securities. Zero-coupon securities are securities that are sold at a discount to par value and on which interest payments are not made during the life of the security. Upon maturity, the holder is
entitled to receive the par value of the security. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities. A
Fund accrues income with respect to zero-coupon and pay-in-kind securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. Deferred payment securities are securities that remain zero-coupon securities until a predetermined date, at which time the stated
coupon rate becomes effective and interest becomes payable at regular intervals. While interest payments are not made on such securities, holders of such securities are deemed to have received “phantom income.” Because a Fund will
distribute “phantom income” to shareholders, to the extent that shareholders elect to receive dividends in cash rather than reinvesting such dividends in additional shares, the applicable Fund will have fewer assets with which to
purchase income-producing securities. Zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and deferred payment securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and lesser liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities paying cash
interest at regular interest payment periods.
Negative Interest Rates. In a low or negative interest rate environment, debt instruments may trade at negative yields, which means the purchaser of the instrument may receive at maturity less than the total amount invested. In addition, in a
negative interest rate environment, if a bank charges negative interest, instead of receiving interest on deposits, a depositor must pay the bank fees to keep money with the bank. To the extent a Fund holds a negatively-yielding debt instrument or
has a bank deposit with a negative interest rate, the Fund would generate a negative return on that investment.
In response to recent market
volatility and economic uncertainty, the U.S. government and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to stabilize markets by, among other things, reducing interest rates. As a result, interest rates in the United States are at historically
low levels, and certain European countries and Japan have pursued negative interest rate policies. If negative interest rates become more prevalent in the market and/or if low or negative interest rates persist for a sustained period of time, some
investors may seek to reallocate assets to other income-producing assets, such as investment-grade and higher-yield debt instruments, or equity investments that pay a dividend, absent other market risks that may make such alternative investments
unattractive. This increased demand for higher yielding assets may cause the price of such instruments to rise while triggering a corresponding decrease in yield over time, thus reducing the value of such alternative investments. In addition, a move
to higher yielding investments may cause investors, including a Fund (to the extent permitted by its investment objective and strategies), to seek fixed-income investments with longer maturities and/or potentially reduced credit quality in order to
seek the desired level of yield. These considerations may limit a Fund’s ability to locate fixed-income instruments containing the desired risk/return profile. Changing interest rates, including, but not limited to, rates that fall below zero,
could have unpredictable effects on the markets and may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and potential illiquidity.
For a Fund that operates as a
money market fund and seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, a low or negative interest rate environment could impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. During a low or negative interest rate environment,
such a Fund may reduce the number of shares outstanding on a pro rata basis through reverse stock splits, negative dividends or other mechanisms to seek to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, to the extent permissible by applicable law and
its
organizational
documents. Alternatively, the Fund may discontinue using the amortized cost method of valuation to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share and establish a fluctuating NAV per share rounded to four decimal places by using available market quotations
or equivalents.
Impact of Market Conditions on
the Risks associated with Debt Securities
Investments in certain debt
securities will be especially subject to the risk that, during certain periods, the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within a particular investment category, may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a
result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate.
Current market conditions pose
heightened risks for Funds that invest in debt securities given the current interest rate environment. Any future interest rate increases or other adverse conditions (e.g., inflation/deflation, increased selling of certain fixed-income investments
across other pooled investment vehicles or accounts, changes in investor perception, or changes in government intervention in the markets) could cause the value of any Fund that invests in debt securities to decrease. As such, debt securities
markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate and liquidity risk, as well as increased volatility. If rising interest rates cause a Fund to lose value, the Fund could also face increased shareholder redemptions, which would further
impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives.
The capacity for traditional
dealers to engage in fixed-income trading for certain fixed income instruments has not kept pace with the growth of the fixed income market, and in some cases has decreased. As a result, because dealers acting as market makers provide stability to a
market, the significant reduction in certain dealer inventories could potentially lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets. Such issues may be exacerbated during periods of economic uncertainty or market
volatility.
Debt market
conditions are highly unpredictable and some parts of the market are subject to dislocations. In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, as with other serious economic disruptions, governmental authorities and regulators are enacting significant
fiscal and monetary policy changes, including providing direct capital infusions into companies, creating new monetary programs and lowering interest rates considerably. These actions present heightened risks to debt instruments, and such risks
could be even further heightened if these actions are unexpectedly or suddenly reversed or are ineffective in achieving their desired outcomes. In light of these actions and current conditions, interest rates and bond yields in the U.S. and many
other countries are at or near historic lows, and in some cases, such rates and yields are negative. The current very low or negative interest rates are magnifying the Funds' susceptibility to interest rate risk and diminishing yield and
performance. In addition, the current environment is exposing debt markets to significant volatility and reduced liquidity for Fund investments.
Demand Features
Certain Funds may acquire
securities that are subject to puts and standby commitments (“Demand Features”) to purchase the securities at their principal amount (usually with accrued interest) within a fixed period (usually seven days) following a demand by the
Fund. Demand Features may be issued by the issuer of the underlying securities, a dealer in the securities or by another third party and may not be transferred separately from the underlying security. The underlying securities subject to a put may
be sold at any time at market rates. To the extent that a Fund invests in such securities, the Fund expects that it will acquire puts only where the puts are available without the payment of any direct or indirect consideration. However, if
determined by the Adviser to be advisable or necessary, a premium may be paid for put features. A premium paid will have the effect of reducing the yield otherwise payable on the underlying security. Demand Features provided by foreign banks involve
certain risks associated with foreign investments. See “Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies)” for more information on these risks.
Under a “stand-by
commitment,” a dealer would agree to purchase, at a Fund’s option, specified securities at a specified price. A Fund will acquire these commitments solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity and does not intend to exercise its rights
thereunder for trading purposes. Stand-by commitments may also be referred to as put options.
The purpose of engaging in
transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity to permit a Fund to meet redemption requests and remain as fully invested as possible.
Equity
Securities, Warrants and Rights
Common Stock. Common stock represents a share of ownership in a company and usually carries voting rights and may earn dividends. Unlike preferred stock, common stock dividends are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the
issuer’s board of directors. Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. As with all equity securities, the price of common stock fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition,
including those that result from management’s performance or changes to the business of the company, and overall market and economic conditions.
Common Stock Warrants and Rights. Common stock warrants entitle the holder to buy common stock from the issuer of the warrant at a specific price (the “strike price”) for a specific period of time. The market price of warrants may be
substantially lower than the current market price of the underlying common stock, yet warrants are subject to similar price fluctuations. As a result, warrants may be more volatile investments than the underlying common stock. If a warrant is
exercised, a Fund may hold common stock in its portfolio even if it does not ordinarily invest in common stock.
Rights are similar to warrants
but normally have a shorter duration and are typically distributed directly by the issuers to existing shareholders, while warrants are typically attached to new debt or preferred stock issuances.
Warrants and rights generally
do not entitle the holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying common stock and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants and rights will expire if not exercised on or prior to the expiration
date.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock is a class of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and during a liquidation. Preferred stock generally does not carry
voting rights. As with all equity securities, the price of preferred stock fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions. Because preferred stocks generally pay dividends only
after the issuing company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt, the value of preferred stocks is more sensitive than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or
prospects. Similar to common stock rights described above, rights may also be issued to holders of preferred stock.
Initial Public Offerings
(“IPOs”). Certain Funds may purchase securities in IPOs. These securities are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. Securities issued in IPOs
have no trading history, and there may be limited information about the companies. The prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile. At any particular time or from time to time, a Fund may not be able to invest in securities issued in
IPOs, or invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an IPO may be made available to the Fund. In addition, under certain market conditions, a relatively small number of
companies may issue securities in IPOs. Similarly, as the number of Funds to which IPO securities are allocated increases, the number of securities issued to any one Fund may decrease. The investment performance of a Fund during periods when it is
unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as a Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease.
Foreign Investments (including Foreign
Currencies)
Some of the
Funds may invest in certain obligations or securities of foreign issuers. For purposes of a non-Money Market Fund’s investment policies and unless described otherwise in a Fund’s prospectus, an issuer of a security will be deemed to be
located in a particular country if: (i) the principal trading market for the security is in such country, (ii) the issuer is organized under the laws of such country or (iii) the issuer derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from such
country or has at least 50% of its total assets situated in such country. Possible investments include equity securities and debt securities (e.g., bonds and commercial paper) of foreign entities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of
foreign banks, including, without limitation, eurodollar certificates of deposit, eurodollar time deposits, eurodollar bankers’ acceptances, Canadian time deposits and yankee certificates of deposit, and investments in Canadian commercial
paper, and europaper. Securities of foreign issuers may include sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”).
Sponsored ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange; unsponsored ADRs are not. Therefore, there may be less information available about the issuers of
unsponsored ADRs
than the issuers of sponsored ADRs. Unsponsored ADRs are restricted securities. EDRs and GDRs are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, it may be difficult to obtain information about EDRs and GDRs.
The Money Market Funds may only
invest in U.S. dollar-denominated securities.
Risk Factors of Foreign Investments.
The following is a summary of certain risks associated with foreign investments:
Political and Exchange Risks. Foreign investments may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include potential future adverse political and
economic developments, sanctions or other measures by the United States or other governments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible
establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and
interest on such obligations.
Higher Transaction Costs. Foreign investments may entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments.
Accounting and Regulatory
Differences. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. In
addition, foreign issuers are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as domestic issuers, and their securities may trade on relatively small markets, causing their securities to experience potentially higher volatility and more limited
liquidity than securities of domestic issuers. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks are not regulated by U.S. banking authorities and may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of
U.S. banks. In addition, foreign banks generally are not bound by accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. banks. Dividends and interest paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and
other foreign taxes which may decrease the net return on foreign investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to a Fund by domestic companies.
Currency Risk. Foreign securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, although foreign issuers may also issue securities denominated in U.S. dollars. The value of a Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currencies and
any funds held in foreign currencies will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates, the relative strength of those currencies and the U.S. dollar, and exchange-control regulations. Changes in the foreign currency exchange rates also may
affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by a Fund. The exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other
currencies are determined by the forces of supply and demand in foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an
international perspective. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Currency exchange rates also can be affected by intervention (or lack of intervention) by the United States or foreign governments or central
banks or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or elsewhere.
Accordingly, the ability of a
Fund that invests in foreign securities as part of its principal investment strategy to achieve its investment objective may depend, to a certain extent, on exchange rate movements. In addition, while the volume of transactions effected on foreign
stock exchanges has increased in recent years, in most cases it remains appreciably below that of domestic securities exchanges. Accordingly, a Fund’s foreign investments may be less liquid and their prices may be more volatile than comparable
investments in securities of U.S. companies. In buying and selling securities on foreign exchanges, purchasers normally pay fixed commissions that are generally higher than the negotiated commissions charged in the U.S. In addition, there is
generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and issuers located in foreign countries than in the U.S.
Settlement Risk. The settlement periods for foreign securities and instruments are often longer than those for securities or obligations of U.S. issuers or instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. Delayed settlement may affect the
liquidity of a Fund’s holdings. Certain types of securities and other instruments are not traded “delivery versus payment” in certain markets (e.g., government bonds in Russia) meaning that a Fund may deliver securities or
instruments before payment is received from the counterparty. In such markets, the Fund may not receive timely payment for securities or other instruments it has delivered and may be subject to increased risk that the counterparty will fail to make
payments when due or default
completely.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such
transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund remains uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to
settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities, in the Fund deeming those securities to be illiquid, or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities,
in possible liability to the purchaser.
A Fund’s income and, in
some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities, will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests and treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the
otherwise applicable tax rates.
Brady Bonds. Brady bonds are securities created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to public and private entities in certain emerging markets for new bonds in connection with debt restructurings. In light of the
history of defaults of countries issuing Brady bonds on their commercial bank loans, investments in Brady bonds may be viewed as speculative and subject to the same risks as emerging market securities. Brady bonds may be fully or partially
collateralized or uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies (but primarily the U.S. dollar) and are actively traded in over-the-counter (“OTC”) secondary markets. Incomplete collateralization of interest or principal payment
obligations results in increased credit risk. Dollar-denominated collateralized Brady bonds, which may be either fixed-rate or floating rate bonds, are generally collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.
Global Depositary Notes. Foreign securities and emerging markets securities include Global Depositary Notes (“GDNs”). A GDN is a debt instrument created by a bank that evidences ownership of local currency-denominated debt
securities. GDNs reflect the terms of particular local currency-denominated bonds. GDNs trade, settle, and pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars but typically are restricted securities that do not trade on an exchange. Any distributions paid to
the holders of GDNs are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary bank. In addition to the risks associated with foreign investments, a Fund’s investments in GDNs is subject to the risks associated with the underlying local
currency-denominated bond and derivative instruments including credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, and management risk. Holders of GDNs may have limited rights, and
investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of GDNs because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert the bonds into GDNs and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause bonds of the underlying issuer to trade at
a discount or premium to the market price of the GDN.
Obligations of Supranational
Entities. Obligations of supranational entities include securities designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development of international banking institutions and related
government agencies, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Each supranational entity’s lending activities are limited to a percentage of its total capital (including “callable capital” contributed by
its governmental members at the entity’s call), reserves and net income. There is no assurance that participating governments will be able or willing to honor their commitments to make capital contributions to a supranational
entity.
Sukuk. Foreign securities and emerging market securities include sukuk. Sukuk are certificates, similar to bonds, issued by the issuer to obtain an upfront payment in exchange for an income stream. Sukuks are also known as
Islamic financial certificates that are designed to comply with Islamic religious law commonly known as Sharia. Such income stream may or may not be linked to a tangible asset. For sukuk that are not linked to a tangible asset, the sukuk represents
a contractual payment obligation of the issuer or issuing vehicle to pay income or periodic payments to the investor, and such contractual payment obligation is linked to the issuer or issuing vehicle and not from interest on the investor’s
money for the sukuk. For sukuk linked to a tangible asset, the Fund will not have a direct interest in the underlying asset or pool of assets. The issuer also makes a contractual promise to buy back the certificate at a future date at par value.
Even when the certificate is linked to the returns generated by certain assets of the issuer, the underlying assets are not pledged as security for the certificates, and the Fund (as the investor) is relying on the creditworthiness of the issuer for
all payments required by the sukuk. The issuer may be a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) with no other assets. Investors do not have direct legal ownership of any underlying assets. In the event of default, the process may take longer to
resolve than conventional bonds. Changing interpretations of Islamic law by courts or prominent scholars may affect the free transferability of sukuk in ways that cannot now be foreseen. In such an event, the Fund may be required to hold its sukuk
for longer than intended, even if their condition is deteriorating.
Issuers of sukuk may include
international financial institutions, foreign governments and agencies of foreign governments. Underlying assets may include, without limitation, real estate (developed and undeveloped), lease contracts and machinery and equipment. Although the
sukuk market has grown significantly in recent years, there may be times when the market is illiquid and where it is difficult for a Fund to make an investment in or dispose of sukuk at the Fund’s desired time. Furthermore, the global sukuk
market is significantly smaller than conventional bond markets, and restrictions imposed by the Shariah board of the issuing entity may limit the number of investors who are interested in investing in particular sukuk. The unique characteristics of
sukuk may lead to uncertainties regarding their tax treatment within a Fund.
A Fund’s ability to
pursue and enforce actions with respect to these payment obligations or to otherwise enforce the terms of the sukuk, restructure the sukuk, obtain a judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction, and/or attach assets of the obligor may be limited.
Sukuk are also subject to the risks associated with developing and emerging market economies, which include, among others, the risk of sanctions and inconsistent accounting and legal principles.
Emerging Market Securities. Investing in companies domiciled in emerging market countries (i.e., emerging market securities) may be subject to potentially higher risks than investments in companies in developed countries. These risks include the
risk that there is, or there may likely be: (i) less social, political, and economic stability; (ii) greater illiquidity and price volatility due to smaller or limited local capital markets for such securities, or low non-existent trading volumes;
(iii) less scrutiny and regulation by local authorities of the foreign exchanges and broker-dealers; (iv) the seizure or confiscation by local governments of securities held by foreign investors, and the possible suspension or limiting by local
governments of an issuer’s ability to make dividend or interest payments; (v) limiting or entirely restricting repatriation of invested capital, profits, and dividends by local governments; (vi) local taxation of capital gains, including on a
retroactive basis; (vii) the attempt by issuers facing restrictions on dollar or euro payments imposed by local governments to make dividend or interest payments to foreign investors in the local currency; (viii) difficulty in enforcing legal claims
related to the securities and/or local judges favoring the interests of the issuer over those of foreign investors; (ix) bankruptcy judgments being paid in the local currency; and (x) greater difficulty in determining market valuations of the
securities due to limited public information regarding the issuer. Additionally, certain emerging market countries may be subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping and therefore,
all material information may not be available or reliable. In addition, a Fund is limited in its ability to exercise its legal rights or enforce a counterparty's legal obligations in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States, in particular,
in emerging market countries. In addition, due to jurisdictional limitations, U.S. regulators may be limited in their ability to enforce regulatory or legal obligations in emerging market countries.
Emerging market securities
markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited
number of investors. Although some emerging markets have become more established and issuers in such markets tend to issue securities of higher credit quality, the markets for securities in other emerging countries are in the earliest stages of
their development, and these countries issue securities across the credit spectrum. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in
trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for various reasons. For
example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and
reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect a Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do
so or in order to meet redemption requests.
Many emerging market countries
suffer from uncertainty and corruption in their legal frameworks. Legislation may be difficult to interpret and laws may be too new to provide any precedential value. Laws regarding foreign investment and private property may be weak or
non-existent. Sudden changes in governments may result in policies which are less favorable to investors, such as policies designed to expropriate or nationalize “sovereign” assets. In the past, some emerging market countries have
expropriated large amounts of private property, in many cases with little or no compensation, and there can be no assurance that such expropriation will not occur in the future.
Foreign investment in certain
emerging market securities is restricted or controlled to varying degrees, which may limit a Fund’s investment in such securities and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain countries require governmental approval prior to investments
by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or to a specific class of securities, which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of
the company available for purchase by nationals.
Many emerging market countries
lack the same social, political, and economic stability characteristics of the U.S. Political instability among emerging market countries can be common and may be caused by an uneven distribution of wealth, social unrest, labor strikes, civil wars,
and religious oppression. Economic instability in emerging market countries may take the form of: (i) high interest rates; (ii) high levels of inflation, including hyperinflation; (iii) high levels of unemployment or underemployment; (iv) changes in
government economic and tax policies, including confiscatory taxation; and (v) imposition of trade barriers.
Currencies of emerging market
countries are subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries. Many emerging market countries have experienced steady declines or even sudden devaluations of their currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Some emerging
market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies.
Some emerging market countries
have experienced balance of payment deficits and shortages in foreign exchange reserves. Governments have responded by restricting currency conversions. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company’s ability to make
dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some emerging market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be artificial
to their actual market values.
In the past, governments within
the emerging markets have become overly reliant on the international capital markets and other forms of foreign credit to finance large public spending programs which cause huge budget deficits. Often, interest payments have become too overwhelming
for a government to meet, representing a large percentage of total gross domestic product (“GDP”). Some foreign governments were forced to seek a restructuring of their loan and/or bond obligations, have declared a temporary suspension
of interest payments or have defaulted. These events have adversely affected the values of securities issued by foreign governments and corporations domiciled in emerging market countries and have negatively affected not only their cost of
borrowing, but their ability to borrow in the future as well.
Sovereign Obligations. Sovereign debt includes investments in securities issued or guaranteed by a foreign sovereign government or its agencies, authorities or political subdivisions. An investment in sovereign debt obligations involves
special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and a Fund may have
limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the past, certain emerging markets have encountered difficulties in
servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts.
A sovereign debtor’s
willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the
relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments,
multilateral agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when
due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts.
Foreign Currency Transactions. Certain Funds may engage in foreign currency transactions which include the following, some of which also have been described elsewhere in this SAI: options on currencies, currency futures, options on such futures,
forward foreign currency transactions, forward rate agreements and currency swaps, caps and floors. Certain Funds may engage in such transactions in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets. To the extent a Fund enters into such transactions in markets other
than in the U.S., the Fund may be subject to certain currency, settlement, liquidity, trading and other risks similar to those described in this SAI with respect to the Fund’s investments in foreign securities, including emerging
markets
securities. Certain Funds may engage in such transactions to hedge against currency risks as a substitute for securities in which the Fund invests, to increase or decrease exposure to a foreign currency, to shift exposure from one foreign currency
to another, for risk management purposes or to increase income or gain to the Fund. To the extent that a Fund uses foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes (as described herein), the Fund may hedge either specific transactions or portfolio
positions.
While a
Fund’s use of hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of Fund shares, the net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective.
Furthermore, a Fund may only engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in currency exchange rates occur.
Certain Funds are authorized
to deal in forward foreign exchange between currencies of the different countries in which the Fund will invest and multi-national currency units as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rate between these currencies. This is
accomplished through contractual agreements entered into in the interbank market to purchase or sell one specified currency for another currency at a specified future date (up to one year) and price at the time of the contract.
Transaction Hedging. Generally, when a Fund engages in foreign currency transaction hedging, it enters into transactions with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund generally arising in connection with the purchase or sale
of its portfolio securities. A Fund may engage in transaction hedging when it desires to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price (or a non-U.S. dollar currency (“reference currency”)) of a security it has agreed to purchase or sell,
or the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a foreign currency. By transaction hedging, a Fund attempts to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or
other reference currency and the applicable foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or
received.
A Fund
may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (or cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate in connection with the settlement of transactions in portfolio securities denominated in that foreign currency. Certain Funds reserve the right to purchase
and sell foreign currency futures contracts traded in the U.S. and subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).
For transaction hedging
purposes, a Fund may also purchase U.S. exchange-listed call and put options on foreign currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies. A put option on a futures contract gives a Fund the right to assume a short position in the foreign
currency futures contract until expiration of the option. A put option on currency gives a Fund the right to sell a currency at an exercise price until the expiration of the option. A call option on a futures contract gives a Fund the right to
assume a long position in the futures contract until the expiration of the option. A call option on currency gives a Fund the right to purchase a currency at the exercise price until the expiration of the option.
Position Hedging. When engaging in position hedging, a Fund will enter into foreign currency exchange transactions to protect against a decline in the values of the foreign currencies in which their portfolio securities are denominated or
an increase in the value of currency for securities which the Adviser expects to purchase. In connection with the position hedging, the Fund may purchase or sell foreign currency forward contracts or foreign currency on a spot basis. A Fund may
purchase U.S. exchange-listed put or call options on foreign currency and foreign currency futures contracts and buy or sell foreign currency futures contracts traded in the U.S. and subject to regulation by the CFTC.
The precise matching of the
amounts of foreign currency exchange transactions and the value of the portfolio securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in
the value of those securities between the dates the currency exchange transactions are entered into and the dates they mature.
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts. Certain Funds may purchase forward foreign currency exchange contracts, sometimes referred to as “currency forwards” (“Forward Contracts”), which involve an obligation to
purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed by the parties in an amount and at a price set at the time of the contract. In the case of a cancelable Forward
Contract, the holder has the unilateral right to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee. The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their
customers, so no intermediary is required. A Forward Contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades.
At the maturity of a Forward
Contract, a Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect
to forward contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract. For forward foreign currency contracts (other than Non-Deliverable Forwards) that require physical settlement, the Funds will
segregate or earmark liquid assets equal to the current notional value of each contract. In calculating the notional value, the Funds may net long and short contracts with the same currency and the same settlement date. With respect to trades that
do not settle through CLS Bank International, the Funds may only net long and short contracts if the contracts are with the same counterparty. Certain Funds may also engage in non-deliverable forwards which are cash settled and which do not involve
delivery of the currency specified in the contract. For more information on Non-Deliverable Forwards, see “Non-Deliverable Forwards” below.
Foreign Currency Futures
Contracts. Certain Funds may purchase foreign currency futures contracts. Foreign currency futures contracts traded in the U.S. are designed by and traded on exchanges regulated by the CFTC, such as the New York
Mercantile Exchange. A Fund may enter into foreign currency futures contracts for hedging purposes and other risk management purposes as defined in CFTC regulations. Certain Funds may also enter into foreign currency futures transactions to increase
exposure to a foreign currency, to shift exposure from one foreign currency to another or to increase income or gain to the Fund.
At the maturity of a futures
contract, the Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract, or at or prior to maturity enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect
to futures contracts are effected on a commodities exchange; a clearing corporation associated with the exchange assumes responsibility for closing out such contracts.
Positions in the foreign
currency futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary market in such contracts. There is no assurance that a secondary market on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular
contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures position; in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.
For more information on futures
contracts, see “Futures Contracts” under the heading “Options and Futures Transactions” below.
Foreign Currency Options. Certain Funds may purchase and sell U.S. exchange-listed and OTC call and put options on foreign currencies. Such options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities. When a Fund purchases a put
option, the Fund has the right but not the obligation to exchange money denominated in one currency into another currency at a pre-agreed exchange rate on a specified date. When a Fund sells or writes a call option, the Fund has the obligation to
exchange money denominated in one currency into another currency at a pre-agreed exchange rate if the buyer exercises option. Some of the Funds may also purchase and sell non-deliverable currency options (“Non-Deliverable Options”).
Non-Deliverable Options are cash-settled, options on foreign currencies (each a “Option Reference Currency”) that are non-convertible and that may be thinly traded or illiquid. Non-Deliverable Options involve an obligation to pay an
amount in a deliverable currency (such as U.S. Dollars, Euros, Japanese Yen, or British Pounds Sterling) equal to the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate for the Option Reference Currency and the agreed upon exchange rate (the
“Non-Deliverable Option Rate”), with respect to an agreed notional amount. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally.
A Fund is authorized to
purchase or sell listed foreign currency options and currency swap contracts as a short or long hedge against possible variations in foreign exchange rates, as a substitute for securities in which a Fund may invest, and for risk management purposes.
Such transactions may be effected with respect to hedges on non-U.S. dollar denominated securities (including securities denominated in the Euro) owned by the Fund, sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, committed or anticipated to be purchased by
the Fund, or in transaction or cross-hedging strategies. As an illustration, a Fund may use such techniques to hedge the stated value in U.S. dollars of an investment in a Japanese yen-dominated security. In such circumstances, the Fund may purchase
a foreign currency put option enabling it to sell a specified amount of yen for dollars at a specified price by a future date. To the extent the hedge is successful, a loss in the value of the dollar relative to the yen will tend to be offset by an
increase in the value of the put option. To offset, in whole or in part, the cost of acquiring such a put option, the Fund also may sell a call option which, if exercised, requires it to sell a specified amount of yen for dollars at a specified
price by a future date (a technique called a “collar”). By selling the call option in this illustration, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit without limit from increases in the relative value of the yen to the dollar.
Certain
Funds may also
enter into foreign currency futures transactions for non-hedging purposes including to increase or decrease exposure to a foreign currency, to shift exposure from one foreign currency to another or to increase income or gain to the Fund.
Certain differences exist
among these foreign currency instruments. Foreign currency options provide the holder thereof the right to buy or to sell a currency at a fixed price on a future date. Listed options are third-party contracts which are issued by a clearing
corporation, traded on an exchange and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. Performance of the parties’ obligations is guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation. OTC options are two-party contracts and have negotiated
strike prices and expiration dates. Options on futures contracts are traded on boards of trade or futures exchanges. Currency swap contracts are negotiated two-party agreements entered into in the interbank market whereby the parties exchange two
foreign currencies at the inception of the contract and agree to reverse the exchange at a specified future time and at a specified exchange rate.
The JPMorgan Emerging Markets
Debt Fund may also purchase and sell barrier/“touch” options (“Barrier Options”), including knock-in options (“Knock-In Options”) and knock-out options (“Knock-Out Options”). A Barrier Option is a type
of exotic option that gives an investor a payout once the price of the underlying currency reaches or surpasses (or falls below) a predetermined barrier. This type of option allows the buyer of the option to set the position of the barrier, the
length of time until expiration and the payout to be received once the barrier is broken. It is possible for an investor to lose the premium paid for the option. There are two kinds of Knock-In Options, (i) “up and in” and (ii)
“down and in”. With Knock-In Options, if the buyer has selected an upper price barrier, and the currency hits that level, the Knock-In Option turns into a more traditional option (“Vanilla Option”) whereby the owner has the
right but not the obligation to exchange money denominated in one currency into another currency at a pre-agreed exchange rate on a specified date. This type of Knock-In Option is called “up and in”. The “down and in”
Knock-In Option is the same as the “up and in”, except the currency has to reach a lower barrier. Upon hitting the chosen lower price level, the “down and in” Knock-In Option turns into a Vanilla Option. As in the Knock-In
Option, there are two kinds of Knock-Out Options, ( i) “up and out” and (ii) “down and out”. However, in a Knock-Out Option, the buyer begins with a Vanilla Option, and if the predetermined price barrier is hit, the Vanilla
Option is cancelled and the seller has no further obligation. If the option hits the upper barrier, the option is cancelled and the investor loses the premium paid, thus, “up and out”. If the option hits the lower price barrier, the
option is cancelled, thus, “down and out”. Barrier Options usually call for delivery of the underlying currency.
The value of a foreign currency
option is dependent upon the value of the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar and may have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially
larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than those for round
lots.
There is no
systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealer or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation information is
generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global,
around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S. options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in
the options market.
The
Funds may write call options on currencies as long as the Fund segregates cash or liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or a broker as margin, equal the obligation under the call option (but not
less than the strike price of the call option). The Funds may also cover a written call option by owning a separate call option permitting the Fund to purchase the reference currency at a price no higher than the strike price of the call option sold
by the Fund. In addition, a Fund may write a non-deliverable call option if the Fund segregates an amount equal to the current amount it is obligated to pay. Netting of long and short positions of a specific country (assuming long and short
contracts are similar) is generally permitted. If there are securities or currency held in that specific country at least equal to the current notional value of the net currency positions, no segregation is required.
Non-Deliverable Forwards. Some of the Funds may also invest in non-deliverable forwards (“NDFs”). NDFs are cash-settled, short-term forward contracts on foreign currencies (each a “Reference Currency”) that are
non-convertible and that may be thinly traded or illiquid. NDFs involve an obligation to pay an
amount (the
settlement amount) equal to the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate for the Reference Currency and the agreed upon exchange rate (the “NDF Rate”), with respect to an agreed notional amount. NDFs have a fixing date and
a settlement (delivery) date. The fixing date is the date and time at which the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate and the agreed upon exchange rate is calculated. The settlement (delivery) date is the date by which the payment
of the settlement amount is due to the party receiving payment.
Although NDFs are similar to
forward foreign currency exchange contracts, NDFs do not require physical delivery of the Reference Currency on the settlement date. Rather, on the settlement date, the only transfer between the counterparties is the monetary settlement amount
representing the difference between the NDF Rate and the prevailing market exchange rate. NDFs typically may have terms from one month up to two years and are settled in U.S. dollars.
NDFs are subject to many of the
risks associated with derivatives in general and forward currency transactions including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency and the risk that the counterparty will fail to fulfill its obligations. The Funds will segregate or
earmark liquid assets in an amount equal to the marked to market value of each NDF contract on a daily basis of the NDF. In calculating the mark-to-market value, the Funds may net opposing NDF contracts with the same currency and the same settlement
date. With respect to trades that do not settle through CLS Bank International, the Funds may only net opposing NDF contracts if the contracts are with the same counterparty.
The Funds will typically use
NDFs for hedging purposes, but may also, use such instruments to increase income or gain. The use of NDFs for hedging or to increase income or gain may not be successful, resulting in losses to the Fund, and the cost of such strategies may reduce
the Funds’ respective returns.
NDFs are regulated as swaps and
are subject to rules requiring central clearing and mandatory trading on an exchange or facility that is regulated by the CFTC for certain swaps. NDFs traded in the OTC market are subject to initial and variation margin requirements. Implementation
of and on-going compliance with the regulations regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of NDFs may increase the cost to the Fund of hedging currency risk and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
Foreign Currency Conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for currency conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the “spread”) between prices at which they are buying and selling various
currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
Other Foreign Currency Hedging
Strategies. New options and futures contracts and other financial products, and various combinations thereof, continue to be developed, and certain Funds may invest in any such options, contracts and products as may
be developed to the extent consistent with the Funds’ respective investment objectives and the regulatory requirements applicable to investment companies, and subject to the supervision of each Trust’s Board of Trustees.
Risk Factors in Foreign Currency
Transactions. The following is a summary of certain risks associated with foreign currency transactions:
Imperfect Correlation. Foreign currency transactions present certain risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in hedging strategies and price movements in a security being hedged
creates the possibility that losses on the hedging transaction may be greater than gains in the value of a Fund’s securities.
Liquidity. Hedging instruments may not be liquid in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, the Funds may not be able to dispose of or offset a transaction without incurring losses. Although foreign currency
transactions used for hedging purposes may reduce the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged security, at the same time the use of these instruments could tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in the
value of such security.
Leverage and Volatility Risk. Derivative instruments, including foreign currency derivatives, may sometimes increase or leverage a Fund’s exposure to a particular market risk. Leverage enhances the price volatility of derivative instruments
held by a Fund.
Strategy Risk. Certain Funds may use foreign currency derivatives for hedging as well as non-hedging purposes including to gain or adjust exposure to currencies and securities markets or to increase income or gain to a Fund. There is
no guarantee that these strategies will succeed and their use may subject a Fund to
greater volatility
and loss. Foreign currency transactions involve complex securities transactions that involve risks in addition to direct investments in securities including leverage risk and the risks associated with derivatives in general, currencies, and
investments in foreign and emerging markets.
Judgment of the Adviser. Successful use of foreign currency transactions by a Fund depends upon the ability of the Adviser to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest and currency rates and other factors affecting markets for
securities. If the expectations of the Adviser are not met, a Fund would be in a worse position than if a foreign currency transaction had not been pursued. For example, if a Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates
which would adversely affect the price of securities in its portfolio and the price of such securities increases instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities because it will have offsetting losses
in its hedging positions. In addition, when utilizing instruments that require variation margin payments, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it may have to sell securities to meet such
requirements.
Other Risks. A Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward contract
or futures contract. Accordingly, a Fund may have to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the security or securities being hedged is less than the amount of foreign
currency a Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security or securities and make delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received upon the
sale of the portfolio security or securities if the market value of such security or securities exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.
Transaction and position
hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities which a Fund owns or expects to purchase or sell. Rather, the Adviser may employ these techniques in an effort to maintain an investment portfolio that is relatively
neutral to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to major foreign currencies and establish a rate of exchange which one can achieve at some future point in time. Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain which might result from the increase in the value of such currency. Moreover, it may not be possible for a Fund to hedge against a devaluation that
is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the anticipated devaluation level.
Insurance-Linked Securities
The JPMorgan Strategic Income
Opportunities Fund and JPMorgan Total Return Fund may invest in debt instruments or equity securities structured as event-driven, event-linked or insurance-linked notes or catastrophe bonds (collectively, “catastrophe bonds”) and related
instruments such as (re)insurance sidecars (collectively with catastrophe bonds, “Insurance-Linked Securities”). Insurance-Linked Securities are generally debt obligations or equity securities for which the return of principal and the
payment of interest or dividends typically are contingent on the non-occurrence of a specific “trigger” event(s) that lead to economic and/or human loss, such as a hurricane of a specific category, earthquake of a particular magnitude,
or other physical or weather-related phenomena. For some Insurance-Linked Securities, the magnitude of the effect of the trigger event on the security may be based on losses to a company or industry, modeled losses to a notional portfolio, industry
indexes, readings of scientific instruments, or certain other parameters associated with a catastrophe rather than actual losses. If a trigger event, as defined within the terms of each Insurance-Linked Security, occurs, a Fund may lose a portion or
all of its accrued interest, dividends and/or principal invested in such Insurance-Linked Security. In addition, if there is a dispute regarding a trigger event, there may be delays in the payment of principal, interest and dividends. A Fund is
entitled to receive principal, interest and dividends payments so long as no trigger event occurs of the description and magnitude specified by the Insurance-Linked Security.
Insurance-Linked Securities
may be sponsored by government agencies, insurance companies or reinsurers and issued by special purpose corporations or other off-shore or on-shore entities (such special purpose entities are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined
objective, such as the issuance of a note in connection with a specific reinsurance transaction). Typically, Insurance-Linked Securities are issued by off-shore entities including entities in emerging markets and may be non-dollar denominated. As a
result, the Funds will be subject to currency and foreign and emerging markets risk including the risks
described in
Foreign Investments. Often, catastrophe bonds provide for extensions of maturity that are mandatory, or optional at the discretion of the issuer or sponsor, in order to process and audit loss claims in those cases where a trigger event has, or
possibly has, occurred. An extension of maturity may increase volatility.
Industry loss warranties are a
type of Insurance-Linked Securities that are designed to protect insurers or reinsurers from severe losses due to significant catastrophic events. The buyer pays the seller a premium at the inception of the contract, and in return the buyer can make
a claim if losses due to a certain class of catastrophic event (for example, Florida hurricanes), as estimated by a third-party, exceed an agreed trigger level. Industry loss warranties have standard terms and conditions and are collateralized.
These contracts are evaluated using detailed underwriting information on the applicable exposures provided by the reinsurers or their intermediaries.
Insurance-Linked Securities
also may expose a Fund to certain unanticipated risks, including but not limited to issuer risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, and adverse tax consequences. Additionally, Insurance-Linked
Securities are subject to the risk that modeling used to calculate the probability of a trigger event may not be accurate and/or underestimate the likelihood of a trigger event. This may result in more frequent and greater than expected losses
including loss of principal and/or interest with respect to catastrophic bonds and dividends with respect to (re)insurance sidecars.
Insurance-Linked Securities
are relatively new types of financial instruments and have relatively a limited trading history. There can be no assurance that markets for these instruments will be liquid at all times, and lack of a liquid market may impose the risk of higher
transaction costs and the possibility that a Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when it would not be advantageous to do so. Insurance-Linked Securities are generally rated below investment grade or the unrated equivalent and have the same or
similar risks as high yield debt securities (also known as junk bonds).
Insurance-Linked Securities
typically are restricted to qualified institutional buyers and, therefore, are not subject to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any state securities commission, and generally are not listed on any
national securities exchange. The amount of public information available with respect to Insurance-Linked Securities is generally less extensive than that which is available for exchange listed securities. There can be no assurance that future
regulatory determinations will not adversely affect the overall market for Insurance-Linked Securities.
Inverse Floaters and Interest Rate Caps
Inverse floaters are
instruments whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. The market value of an inverse floater will vary inversely with changes in market interest rates and will be more
volatile in response to interest rate changes than that of a fixed rate obligation. Interest rate caps are financial instruments under which payments occur if an interest rate index exceeds a certain predetermined interest rate level, known as the
cap rate, which is tied to a specific index. These financial products will be more volatile in price than securities which do not include such a structure.
Investments in inverse
floaters and similar instruments expose a Fund to the same risks as investments in debt securities and derivatives, as well as other risks, including those associated with leverage and increased volatility. An investment in these securities
typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed rate security. Inverse floaters may be considered to be leveraged, including if their interest rates vary by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of a change in a reference rate of
interest (typically a short-term interest rate), and the market prices of inverse floaters may as a result be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and in prepayment rates on the underlying securities, and may decrease significantly when
interest rates increase or prepayment rates change. Investments in inverse floaters and similar instruments that have asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage-related securities underlying them will expose a Fund to the risks associated with those
asset-backed, mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities and the values of those investments may be especially sensitive to changes in prepayment rates on the underlying asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage-related securities.
Investment Company Securities and Exchange Traded
Funds
In October 2020,
the SEC adopted certain regulatory changes and took other actions related to the ability of an investment company to invest in another investment company. These changes include, among other things, amendments to Rule 12d1-1, the rescission of Rule
12d1-2, the adoption of Rule 12d1-4, and
the rescission of
certain exemptive relief issued by the SEC permitting such investments in excess of statutory limits. Compliance with these new requirements will be required by January 19, 2022. Following the compliance date, regulatory changes may adversely impact
each Fund’s investment strategies and operations.
Investment Company Securities. A Fund may acquire the securities of other investment companies (“acquired funds”) to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and consistent with its investment objective and strategies. As a shareholder of
another investment company, a Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that
a Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. Except as described below, the 1940 Act currently requires that, as determined immediately after a purchase is made, (i) not more than 5% of the value of a fund’s total assets will
be invested in the securities of any one investment company, (ii) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of investment companies as a group and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding
voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by a fund.
In addition, Section 17 of the
1940 Act prohibits a Fund from investing in another J.P. Morgan Fund except as permitted by Section 12 of the 1940 Act, by rule, or by exemptive order.
The limitations described above
do not apply to investments in money market funds subject to certain conditions. All of the J.P. Morgan Funds may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated money market funds without limit under Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act subject to the acquiring
fund’s investment policies and restrictions and the conditions of the Rule.
In addition, the 1940
Act’s limits and restrictions summarized above do not apply to J.P. Morgan Funds that invest in other J.P. Morgan Funds in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, SEC rule, or an exemptive order issued by the SEC (each, a “Fund
of Funds”; collectively, “Funds of Funds”). Such Funds of Funds include JPMorgan Investor Funds (the “Investor Funds”), the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds and the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds (collectively, the
“JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds”), JPMorgan Access Funds, JPMorgan Diversified Fund, and such other J.P. Morgan Funds that invest in other J.P. Morgan Funds in reliance on Section 12(d)(G) of the 1940 Act or the rules issued Section
12.
Section 12(d)(1)(G)
of the 1940 Act permits a fund to invest in acquired funds in the “same group of investment companies” (“affiliated funds”), government securities and short-term paper. In addition to the investments permitted by Section
12(d)(1)(G), Rule 12d1-2 permits funds of funds to make investments in addition to affiliated funds under certain circumstances including: (1) unaffiliated investment companies (subject to certain limits), (2) other types of securities (such as
stocks, bonds and other securities) not issued by an investment company that are consistent with the fund of fund’s investment policies and (3) affiliated and unaffiliated money market funds. In order to be an eligible investment under Section
12(d)(1)(G), an affiliated fund must have a policy prohibiting it from investing in other funds under Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act.
In addition to investments
permitted by Section 12(d)(1)(G) and Rule 12d1-2, the J.P. Morgan Funds may invest in derivatives pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC. Under the exemptive order, the Funds of Funds are permitted to invest in financial instruments that
may not be considered “securities” for purposes of Rule 12d-1 subject to certain conditions, including a finding of the Board of Trustees that the advisory fees charged by the Adviser to the Funds of Funds are for services that are in
addition to, and not duplicative of, the advisory services provided to an underlying fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds
(“ETFs”). ETFs are pooled investment vehicles whose ownership interests are purchased and sold on a securities exchange. ETFs may be structured investment companies, depositary receipts or other pooled
investment vehicles. As shareholders of an ETF, the Funds will bear their pro rata portion of any fees and expenses of the ETFs. Although shares of ETFs are traded on an exchange, shares of certain ETFs may not be redeemable by the ETF. In addition,
ETFs may trade at a price below their net asset value (also known as a discount).
Certain Funds may use ETFs to
gain exposure to various asset classes and markets or types of strategies and investments. By way of example, ETFs may be structured as broad based ETFs that invest in a broad group of stocks from different industries and market sectors; select
sector; or market ETFs that invest in debt securities from a select sector of the economy, a single industry or related industries; or ETFs that invest in foreign and emerging markets securities. Other types of ETFs continue to be developed and the
Fund may invest in them to the extent consistent with such Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The ETFs in which the Funds invest are subject to the risks applicable to the types of securities
and investments
used by the ETFs (e.g., debt securities are subject to risks like credit and interest rate risks; emerging markets securities are subject risks like currency risks and foreign and emerging markets risk; derivatives are subject to leverage and
counterparty risk).
ETFs
may be actively managed or index-based. Actively managed ETFs are subject to management risk and may not achieve their objective if the ETF’s manager’s expectations regarding particular securities or markets are not met. Generally, an
index based ETF’s objective is to track the performance of a specified index. Index based ETFs may invest in a securities portfolio that includes substantially all of the securities in substantially the same amount as the securities included
in the designated index or a representative sample. Because passively managed ETFs are designed to track an index, securities may be purchased, retained and sold at times when an actively managed ETF would not do so. As a result, shareholders of a
Fund that invest in such an ETF can expect greater risk of loss (and a correspondingly greater prospect of gain) from changes in the value of securities that are heavily weighted in the index than would be the case if ETF were not fully invested in
such securities. This risk is increased if a few component securities represent a highly concentrated weighting in the designated index.
Unless permitted by the 1940
Act or an order or rule issued by the SEC (see “Investment Company Securities” above for more information), the Fund’s investments in unaffiliated ETFs that are structured as investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act are
subject to certain percentage limitations of the 1940 Act regarding investments in other investment companies. As a general matter, these percentage limitations currently require a Fund to limit its investments in any one issue of ETFs to 5% of the
Fund’s total assets and 3% of the outstanding voting securities of the ETF issue. Moreover, a Fund’s investments in all ETFs may not currently exceed 10% of the Fund’s total assets under the 1940 Act, when aggregated with all other
investments in investment companies. ETFs that are not structured as investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act are not subject to these percentage limitations.
SEC exemptive orders granted to
various ETFs and their investment advisers permit the Funds to invest beyond the 1940 Act limits, subject to certain terms and conditions, including a finding of the Board of Trustees that the advisory fees charged by the Adviser to the Fund are for
services that are in addition to, and not duplicative of, the advisory services provided to those ETFs.
Loans
Some of the Funds may invest in
fixed and floating rate loans (“Loans”). Loans may include senior floating rate loans (“Senior Loans”) and secured and unsecured loans, second lien or more junior loans (“Junior Loans”) and bridge loans or bridge
facilities (“Bridge Loans”). Loans are typically arranged through private negotiations between borrowers in the U.S. or in foreign or emerging markets which may be corporate issuers or issuers of sovereign debt obligations
(“Obligors”) and one or more financial institutions and other lenders (“Lenders”). Generally, the Funds invest in Loans by purchasing assignments of all or a portion of Loans (“Assignments”) or Loan participations
(“Participations”) from third parties although certain Funds may originate Loans.
A Fund has direct rights
against the Obligor on the Loan when it purchases an Assignment. Because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the
purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender. With respect to Participations, typically, a Fund will have a contractual relationship only with the Lender and not with the Obligor. The
agreement governing Participations may limit the rights of a Fund to vote on certain changes which may be made to the Loan agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant. However, the holder of a Participation will generally have the right to
vote on certain fundamental issues such as changes in principal amount, payment dates and interest rate. Participations may entail certain risks relating to the creditworthiness of the parties from which the participations are obtained.
A Loan is typically originated,
negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of Loan investors. The Agent typically administers and enforces the Loan on
behalf of the other Loan investors in the syndicate. The Agent’s duties may include responsibility for the collection of principal and interest payments from the Obligor and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all Loan
investors. The Agent is also typically responsible for monitoring compliance with the covenants contained in the Loan agreement based upon reports prepared by the Obligor. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any
collateral on behalf of the Loan investors. In the event of a default by the
Obligor, it is
possible, though unlikely, that the Fund could receive a portion of the borrower’s collateral. If the Fund receives collateral other than cash, any proceeds received from liquidation of such collateral will be available for investment as part
of the Fund’s portfolio.
In the process of buying,
selling and holding Loans, a Fund may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When a Fund buys or sells a Loan
it may pay a fee. In certain circumstances, a Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon prepayment of a Loan.
Additional Information
concerning Senior Loans. Senior Loans typically hold the most senior position in the capital structure of the Obligor, are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the
Obligor that is senior to that held by subordinated debtholders and shareholders of the Obligor. Collateral for Senior Loans may include (i) working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory; (ii) tangible fixed assets, such as real
property, buildings and equipment; (iii) intangible assets, such as trademarks and patent rights; and/or (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or affiliates.
Additional Information
concerning Junior Loans. Junior Loans include secured and unsecured loans including subordinated loans, second lien and more junior loans, and bridge loans. Second lien and more junior loans (“Junior Lien
Loans”) are generally second or further in line in terms of repayment priority. In addition, Junior Lien Loans may have a claim on the same collateral pool as the first lien or other more senior liens or may be secured by a separate set of
assets. Junior Loans generally give investors priority over general unsecured creditors in the event of an asset sale.
Additional Information
concerning Bridge Loans. Bridge Loans are short-term loan arrangements (e.g., 12 to 36 months) typically made by an Obligor in anticipation of intermediate-term or long-term permanent financing. Most Bridge Loans are
structured as floating-rate debt with step-up provisions under which the interest rate on the Bridge Loan rises the longer the Loan remains outstanding. In addition, Bridge Loans commonly contain a conversion feature that allows the Bridge Loan
investor to convert its Loan interest to senior exchange notes if the Loan has not been prepaid in full on or prior to its maturity date. Bridge Loans typically are structured as Senior Loans but may be structured as Junior Loans.
Additional Information
concerning Unfunded Commitments. Unfunded commitments are contractual obligations pursuant to which the Fund agrees to invest in a Loan at a future date. Typically, the Fund receives a commitment fee for entering
into the Unfunded Commitment.
Additional Information
concerning Synthetic Letters of Credit. Loans include synthetic letters of credit. In a synthetic letter of credit transaction, the Lender typically creates a special purpose entity or a credit-linked deposit account
for the purpose of funding a letter of credit to the borrower. When a Fund invests in a synthetic letter of credit, the Fund is typically paid a rate based on the Lender’s borrowing costs and the terms of the synthetic letter of credit.
Synthetic letters of credit are typically structured as Assignments with the Fund acquiring direct rights against the Obligor.
Additional Information
concerning Loan Originations. In addition to investing in loan assignments and participations, the Strategic Income Opportunities Fund, Global Bond Opportunities Fund, Unconstrained Debt Fund and Income Fund may
originate Loans in which the Fund would lend money directly to a borrower by investing in limited liability companies or corporations that make loans directly to borrowers. The terms of the Loans are negotiated with borrowers in private
transactions. Such Loans would be collateralized, typically with tangible fixed assets such as real property or interests in real property. Such Loans may also include mezzanine loans. Unlike Loans secured by a mortgage on real property, mezzanine
loans are collateralized by an equity interest in an SPV that owns the real property.
Limitations on Investments in
Loan Assignments and Participations. If a government entity is a borrower on a Loan, the Fund will consider the government to be the issuer of an Assignment or Participation for purposes of a Fund’s fundamental
investment policy that it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (i.e., foreign government).
Limited Federal Securities Law
Protections. Certain Loans may not be considered securities under the federal securities laws. In such circumstances, fewer legal protections may be available with respect to a Fund’s investment in those Loans.
In particular, if a Loan is not considered a security under the federal securities laws, certain legal protections normally available to investors under the federal securities laws, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation, may not be
available.
Multiple Lender Risk. There may be additional risks associated with Loans, including loan originations, when there are Lenders or other participants in addition to the Fund. For example, a Fund could lose the ability to consent to certain
actions taken by the Borrower if certain conditions are not met. In addition, for example, certain governing agreements that provide the Fund with the right to consent to certain actions taken by a Borrower may provide that the Fund will no longer
have the right to provide such consent if another Lender makes a subsequent advance to the Borrower.
Risk Factors of Loans. Loans are subject to the risks associated with debt obligations in general including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. When a Loan is acquired from a Lender, the risk includes the credit risk associated
with the Obligor of the underlying Loan. The Fund may incur additional credit risk when the Fund acquires a participation in a Loan from another lender because the Fund must assume the risk of insolvency or bankruptcy of the other lender from which
the Loan was acquired. To the extent that Loans involve Obligors in foreign or emerging markets, such Loans are subject to the risks associated with foreign investments or investments in emerging markets in general. The following outlines some of
the additional risks associated with Loans.
High Yield
Securities Risk. The Loans that a Fund invests in may not be rated by an NRSRO, will not be registered with the SEC or any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. To
the extent that such high yield Loans are rated, they typically will be rated below investment grade and are subject to an increased risk of default in the payment of principal and interest as well as the other risks described under “High
Yield/High Risk Securities/Junk Bonds.” Loans are vulnerable to market sentiment such that economic conditions or other events may reduce the demand for Loans and cause their value to decline rapidly and unpredictably.
Liquidity
Risk. Loans that are deemed to be liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid or less liquid. No active trading market may exist for certain Loans and certain Loans may be subject to restrictions on resale or
have a limited secondary market. Certain Loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The inability to dispose of certain Loans in a timely fashion or at a favorable price could
result in losses to a Fund. Also, to the extent that a Fund needs to satisfy redemption requests or cover unanticipated cash shortfalls, the Fund may seek to engage in borrowing under a credit facility or enter into lending agreements under which
the Fund would borrow money for temporary purposes directly from another J.P. Morgan Fund (please see “Interfund Lending”). Certain Money Market Funds also use an interest bearing deposit facility to set aside cash at a level estimated
to meet the Money Market Fund’s next business day’s intraday redemption orders. See “Interest Bearing Deposit Facility” for more information.
Collateral
and Subordination Risk. With respect to Loans that are secured, a Fund is subject to the risk that collateral securing the Loan will decline in value or have no value or that the Fund’s lien is or will become
junior in payment to other liens. A decline in value of the collateral, whether as a result of market value declines, bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, could cause the Loan to be under collateralized or unsecured. In such event, the Fund may have
the ability to require that the Obligor pledge additional collateral. The Fund, however, is subject to the risk that the Obligor may not pledge such additional collateral or a sufficient amount of collateral. In some cases (for example, in the case
of non-recourse Loans), there may be no formal requirement for the Obligor to pledge additional collateral. In addition, collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such
assets would satisfy an Obligor’s obligation on a Loan. If the Fund were unable to obtain sufficient proceeds upon a liquidation of such assets, this could negatively affect Fund performance.
If an
Obligor becomes involved in bankruptcy proceedings, a court may restrict the ability of the Fund to demand immediate repayment of the Loan by the Obligor or otherwise liquidate the collateral. A court may also invalidate the Loan or the Fund’s
security interest in collateral or subordinate the Fund’s rights under a Senior Loan or Junior Loan to the interest of the Obligor’s other creditors, including unsecured creditors, or cause interest or principal previously paid to be
refunded to the Obligor. If a court required interest or principal to be refunded, it could negatively affect Fund performance. Such action by a court could be based, for example, on a “fraudulent conveyance” claim to the effect that the
Obligor did not receive fair consideration for granting the security interest in the Loan collateral to a Fund. For Senior Loans made in connection with a highly leveraged transaction, consideration for granting a security interest may be deemed
inadequate if the proceeds of the Loan were not received or retained by the Obligor, but were instead paid to other persons (such as shareholders of the Obligor) in an amount which left the Obligor insolvent or without sufficient working capital.
There are also other events, such as the failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings, which could lead to the invalidation of a Fund’s
security interest in Loan collateral. If the
Fund’s security interest in Loan collateral is invalidated or a Senior Loan were subordinated to other debt of an Obligor in bankruptcy or other proceedings, the Fund would have substantially lower recovery, and perhaps no recovery on the full
amount of the principal and interest due on the Loan, or the Fund could have to refund interest. Lenders and investors in Loans can be sued by other creditors and shareholders of the Obligors. Losses can be greater than the original Loan amount and
occur years after the principal and interest on the Loan have been repaid.
Agent Risk. Selling Lenders, Agents and other entities who may be positioned between a Fund and the Obligor will likely conduct their principal business activities in the banking, finance and financial services industries.
Investments in Loans may be more impacted by a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting such industries than other types of investments. Entities engaged in such industries may be more susceptible to, among other things,
fluctuations in interest rates, changes in monetary policies, government regulations concerning such industries and concerning capital raising activities generally and fluctuations in the financial markets generally. An Agent, Lender or other entity
positioned between a Fund and the Obligor may become insolvent or enter Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) receivership or bankruptcy. The Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a Loan or suffer a
loss of principal and/ or interest if assets or interests held by the Agent, Lender or other party positioned between the Fund and the Obligor are determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s, Lender’s or such other
party’s creditors.
Regulatory
Changes. To the extent that legislation or state or federal regulators that regulate certain financial institutions impose additional requirements or restrictions with respect to the ability of such institutions to
make Loans, particularly in connection with highly leveraged transactions, the availability of Loans for investment may be adversely affected. Furthermore, such legislation or regulation could depress the market value of Loans held by the
Fund.
Inventory
Risk. Affiliates of the Adviser may participate in the primary and secondary market for Loans. Because of limitations imposed by applicable law, the presence of the Adviser’s affiliates in the Loan market may
restrict a Fund’s ability to acquire some Loans, affect the timing of such acquisition or affect the price at which the Loan is acquired.
Information
Risk. There is typically less publicly available information concerning Loans than other types of fixed income investments. As a result, a Fund generally will be dependent on reports and other information provided by
the Obligor, either directly or through an Agent, to evaluate the Obligor’s creditworthiness or to determine the Obligor’s compliance with the covenants and other terms of the Loan Agreement. Such reliance may make investments in Loans
more susceptible to fraud than other types of investments. In addition, because the Adviser may wish to invest in the publicly traded securities of an Obligor, it may not have access to material non-public information regarding the Obligor to which
other Loan investors have access.
Junior Loan
Risk. Junior Loans are subject to the same general risks inherent to any Loan investment. Due to their lower place in the Obligor’s capital structure and possible unsecured status, Junior Loans involve a higher
degree of overall risk than Senior Loans of the same Obligor. Junior Loans that are Bridge Loans generally carry the expectation that the Obligor will be able to obtain permanent financing in the near future. Any delay in obtaining permanent
financing subjects the Bridge Loan investor to increased risk. An Obligor’s use of Bridge Loans also involves the risk that the Obligor may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the Bridge Loan, which may impair the
Obligor’s perceived creditworthiness.
Mezzanine
Loan Risk. In addition to the risk factors described above, mezzanine loans are subject to additional risks. Unlike conventional mortgage loans, mezzanine loans are not secured by a mortgage on the underlying real
property but rather by a pledge of equity interests (such as a partnership or limited liability company membership) in the property owner or another company in the ownership structures that has control over the property. Such companies are typically
structured as special purpose entities. Generally, mezzanine loans may be more highly leveraged than other types of Loans and subordinate in the capital structure of the Obligor. While foreclosure of a mezzanine loan generally takes substantially
less time than foreclosure of a traditional mortgage, the holders of a mezzanine loan have different remedies available versus the holder of a first lien mortgage loan. In addition, a sale of the underlying real property would not be unencumbered,
and thus would be subject to encumbrances by more senior mortgages and liens of other creditors. Upon foreclosure of a mezzanine loan, the holder of the mezzanine loan acquires an equity interest in the Obligor. However,
because of the subordinate nature of a
mezzanine loan, the real property continues to be subject to the lien of the mortgage and other liens encumbering the real estate. In the event the holder of a mezzanine loan forecloses on its equity collateral, the holder may need to cure the
Obligor’s existing mortgage defaults or, to the extent permissible under the governing agreements, sell the property to pay off other creditors. To the extent that the amount of mortgages and senior indebtedness and liens exceed the value of
the real estate, the collateral underlying the mezzanine loan may have little or no value.
Foreclosure
Risk. There may be additional costs associated with enforcing a Fund’s remedies under a Loan including additional legal costs and payment of real property transfer taxes upon foreclosure in certain
jurisdictions or legal costs and expenses associated with operating real property. As a result of these additional costs, the Fund may determine that pursuing foreclosure on the Loan collateral is not worth the associated costs. In addition, if the
Fund incurs costs and the collateral loses value or is not recovered by the Fund in foreclosure, the Fund could lose more than its original investment in the Loan. Foreclosure risk is heightened for Junior Loans, including certain mezzanine
loans.
Covenant-Lite
Obligations. A Fund may invest in or be exposed to floating rate loans and other similar debt obligations that are sometimes referred to as “covenant-lite” loans or obligations (“covenant-lite
obligations”), which are loans or other similar debt obligations that lack financial maintenance covenants or possess fewer or contingent financial maintenance covenants and other financial protections for lenders and investors. A Fund may
obtain exposure to covenant-lite obligations through investment in securitization vehicles and other structured products. In current market conditions, many new, restructured or reissued loans and similar debt obligations do not feature traditional
financial maintenance covenants, which are intended to protect lenders and investors by imposing certain restrictions and other limitations on a borrower’s operations or assets and by providing certain information and consent rights to
lenders. Covenant-lite obligations allow borrowers to exercise more flexibility with respect to certain activities that may otherwise be limited or prohibited under similar loan obligations that are not covenant-lite. In an investment with a
traditional financial maintenance covenant, the borrower is required to meet certain regular, specific financial tests over the term of the investment; in a covenant-lite obligation, the borrower would only be required to satisfy certain financial
tests at the time it proposes to take a specific action or engage in a specific transaction (e.g., issuing additional debt, paying a dividend, or making an acquisition) or at a time when another financial criteria has been met (e.g., reduced
availability under a revolving credit facility, or asset value falling below a certain percentage of outstanding debt obligations). In addition, in a loan with traditional covenants, the borrower is required to provide certain periodic financial
reporting that typically includes a detailed calculation of certain financial metrics; in a covenant-lite obligation, certain detailed financial information is only required to be provided when a financial metric is required to be calculated, which
may result in more limited access to financial information, difficulty evaluating the borrower’s financial performance over time and delays in exercising rights and remedies in the event of a significant financial decline. In addition, in the
event of default, covenant-lite obligations may exhibit diminished recovery values as the lender may not have the opportunity to negotiate with the borrower or take other measures intended to mitigate losses prior to default. Accordingly, a Fund may
have fewer rights with respect to covenant-lite obligations, including fewer protections against the possibility of default and fewer remedies, and may experience losses or delays in enforcing its rights on covenant-lite obligations. As a result,
investments in or exposure to covenant-lite obligations are generally subject to more risk than investments that contain traditional financial maintenance covenants and financial reporting requirements.
Miscellaneous Investment Strategies and Risks
Borrowings. A Fund may borrow for temporary purposes and/or for investment purposes. Such a practice will result in leveraging of a Fund’s assets and may cause a Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be
advantageous to do so. This borrowing may be secured or unsecured. If a Fund utilizes borrowings, for investment purposes or otherwise, it may pledge up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to secure such borrowings. A Fund must maintain continuous asset
coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of at least 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets made for temporary
administrative or emergency purposes. Any borrowings for temporary administrative purposes in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets must maintain continuous asset coverage. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market
fluctuations or other reasons, a Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be
disadvantageous
from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest
costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of any securities that may have been purchased during the time of the borrowing. A Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or to pay a
commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit, either of which would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
Certain Trusts, on behalf of
certain Funds (“Borrowers”) entered into a joint syndicated senior unsecured revolving credit facility totaling $1.5 billion, which terminates on August 10, 2021 unless otherwise extended or renewed (“Credit Facility”), with
various lenders and The Bank of New York Mellon, as administrative agent for the lenders. This Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that
otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, a borrowing Fund must meet certain requirements, including a minimum adjusted net asset value amount and certain adjusted net asset coverage
rations prior to and during the time in which any borrowings are outstanding. If a Fund does not comply with these requirements, the lenders may terminate the Credit Facility and declare any outstanding borrowings to be due and payable immediately.
Interest associated with any borrowing under the Credit Facility is charged to the borrowing Fund at a variable rate. In addition, each participating Fund is charged an annual commitment fee, which is incurred on the unused portion of the Credit
Facility and is allocated to all participating Funds pro rata based on their respective net assets.
Certain types of investments
are considered to be borrowings under precedents issued by the SEC. Such investments are subject to the limitations as well as asset segregation requirements. In addition, each Fund may enter into Interfund Lending Arrangements. Please see
“Interfund Lending.”
LIBOR Discontinuance or
Unavailability Risk. The London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank
market. The regulatory authority that oversees financial services firms and financial markets in the U.K. has announced that, after the end of 2021, it would no longer persuade or compel contributing banks to make rate submissions for purposes of
determining the LIBOR rate. As a result, it is possible that commencing in 2022, LIBOR may no longer be available or no longer deemed an appropriate reference rate upon which to determine the interest rate on or impacting certain loans, notes,
derivatives and other instruments or investments comprising some or all of a Fund’s portfolio. In light of this eventuality, public and private sector industry initiatives are currently underway to identify new or alternative reference rates
to be used in place of LIBOR. There is no assurance that the composition or characteristics of any such alternative reference rate will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that it will have the same volume or
liquidity as did LIBOR prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, which may affect the value or liquidity or return on certain of a Fund’s investments and result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into
new trades. These risks may also apply with respect to changes in connection with other interbank offering rates (e.g., Euribor) and a wide range of other index levels, rates and values that are treated as “benchmarks” and are the
subject of recent regulatory reform.
Commodity-Linked Derivatives. Commodity-linked derivatives are derivative instruments the value of which is linked to the value of a commodity, commodity index or commodity futures contract. A Fund’s investment in commodity-linked derivative
instruments may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, particularly if the instruments involve leverage. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market
movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory
developments. Use of leveraged commodity-linked derivatives creates the possibility for greater loss (including the likelihood of greater volatility of the Fund’s net asset value), and there can be no assurance that a Fund’s use of
leverage will be successful. Tax considerations may limit a Fund’s ability to pursue investments in commodity-linked derivatives.
Commodity-Related Pooled
Investment Vehicles. Commodity-related pooled investment vehicles include ownership interests in grantor trusts and other pooled investment vehicles that hold tangible assets such as gold, silver or other
commodities or invest in commodity futures. Grantor trusts are typically traded on an exchange.
Investors do not have the
rights normally associated with ownership of other types of shares when they invest in pooled investment vehicles holding commodities or commodity futures, including those structured as limited partnerships or grantor trusts holding commodities. For
example, the owners of these commodity-related grantor trusts or limited partnerships do not have the right to elect directors, receive dividends or take other actions normally associated with the ownership of shares of a corporation. Holders of a
certain percentage of shares in a grantor trust may have the right to terminate the trust or exercise other rights which would not be available to small investors. If investors other than a Fund exercise their right to terminate, a Fund that wishes
to invest in the underlying commodity through the pooled investment vehicle will have to find another investment and may not be able to find another vehicle that offers the same investment features. In the event that one or more participants holding
a substantial interest in these pooled investment vehicles withdraw from participation, the liquidity of the pooled investment vehicle will likely decrease which could adversely affect the market price of the pooled investment vehicle and result in
a Fund incurring a loss on its investments.
These pooled investment
vehicles are not registered investment companies, and many are not commodity pools, and therefore, do not have the protections available to those types of investments under federal securities or commodities laws. For example, unlike registered
investment companies, these vehicles are not subject to federal securities laws that limit transactions with affiliates, require redemption of shares, or limit sales load. Although shares of these vehicles may be traded on an exchange, there may be
no active market for such shares and such shares may be highly illiquid.
These vehicles are subject to
the risks associated with direct investments in commodities. The market price of shares of these vehicles will be as unpredictable as the price of the underlying commodity. Many factors can cause a decline in the prices of commodities including a
change in economic conditions, such as a recession. This risk is magnified when the commodity is used in manufacturing. In addition, the prices of commodities may be adversely impacted by a change in the attitude of speculators and investors toward
the applicable commodity, or a significant increase in commodity price hedging activity. In addition, the value of the shares will be adversely affected if the assets owned by the trust are lost, damaged or of inferior quality.
The commodities represented by
shares of a grantor trust will decrease over the life of the trust due to sales of the underlying commodities necessary to pay trust fees and expenses, including expenses associated with indemnification of certain service providers to the pooled
investment vehicle. Without increases in the price of the underlying commodity sufficient to compensate for that decrease, the price of the investment will decline and a Fund will incur a loss on its investment.
Commodity-related grantor
trusts are passive investment vehicles. This means that the value of the investment in a grantor trust may be adversely affected by trust losses that, if the trust had been actively managed, it might have been possible to avoid. A Fund’s
intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code may limit its ability to make investments in grantor trusts or limited partnerships that invest in commodities or commodity futures.
Cyber Security Risk. As the use of technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the Funds have become more susceptible to operational and financial risks associated with cyber security, including: theft, loss, misuse,
improper release, corruption and destruction of, or unauthorized access to, confidential or highly restricted data relating to a Fund and its shareholders; and compromises or failures to systems, networks, devices and applications relating to the
operations of a Fund and its service providers. Cyber security risks may result in financial losses to a Fund and its shareholders; the inability of a Fund to transact business with its shareholders; delays or mistakes in the calculation of a
Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) or other materials provided to shareholders; the inability to process transactions with shareholders or other parties; violations of privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties and
reputational damage; and compliance and remediation costs, legal fees and other expenses. A Fund’s service providers (including, but not limited to, the Adviser, any sub-advisers, administrator, transfer agent, and custodian or their agents),
financial intermediaries, companies in which a Fund invests and parties with which a Fund engages in portfolio or other transactions also may be adversely impacted by cyber security risks in their own businesses, which could result in losses to a
Fund or its shareholders. While measures have been developed which are designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security, there is no guarantee that those measures will be effective, particularly since the Funds do not directly control the
cyber security defenses or plans of their service providers, financial intermediaries and companies in which they invest or with which they do business.
Volcker Rule Risk. Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) and certain rules promulgated thereunder (known as the Volcker Rule) places restrictions on the activities of
banking entities, including the Adviser and its affiliates, and may impact the long-term viability of a Fund. Under the Volcker Rule, if the Adviser or its affiliates own 25% or more of the ownership interests of a Fund outside of the permitted
seeding time period, a Fund could be subject to restrictions on trading that would adversely impact a Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy. Generally, the permitted seeding period is three years from the implementation of a
Fund’s investment strategy. As a result, the Adviser and/or its affiliates may be required to reduce their ownership interests in a Fund at a time that is sooner than would otherwise be desirable. This may require the sale of Fund securities,
which may result in losses, increased transaction costs and adverse tax consequences. In addition, the ongoing viability of a Fund may be adversely impacted by the anticipated or actual redemption of Fund shares owned by the Adviser and its
affiliates and could result in a Fund’s liquidation.
Exchange-Traded Notes
(“ETNs”) are senior, unsecured notes linked to an index. Like ETFs, they may be bought and sold like shares of stock on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during normal trading hours.
However, ETNs have a different underlying structure and may be held until their maturity. While ETF shares represent an interest in a portfolio of securities, ETNs are structured products that are an obligation of the issuing bank, whereby the bank
agrees to pay a return based on the target index less any fees. Essentially, these notes allow individual investors to have access to derivatives linked to commodities and assets such as oil, currencies and foreign stock indexes. ETNs combine
certain aspects of bonds and ETFs. At maturity, the issuer of a ETN pays to the investor a cash amount equal to principal amount, subject to the day’s index factor. ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index minus applicable
fees. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments and provide no principal protection. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying commodities
markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced commodity. The timing and character of income and gains derived from ETNs
is under consideration by the U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service and may also be affected by future legislation.
Impact of Large Redemptions and
Purchases of Fund Shares. Under applicable regulations, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser may be required to reduce its seed investment or other ownership interest in a Fund at a time that is sooner than
the Adviser or its affiliate otherwise would. In addition to such redemptions of seed investment, from time to time, shareholders of a Fund (which may include the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser or accounts for which the Adviser or its
affiliates serve as investment adviser or trustee or, for certain Funds, affiliated and/or non-affiliated registered investment companies that invest in a Fund) may make relatively large redemptions or purchases of Fund shares. These transactions
may cause a Fund to have to sell securities, or invest additional cash, as the case may be. While it is impossible to predict the overall impact of these transactions over time, there could be adverse effects on a Fund’s performance to the
extent that the Fund is required to sell securities or invest cash at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may result in a loss to the Fund. These transactions may result in higher portfolio turnover, accelerate the realization of taxable
income if sales of securities resulted in capital gains or other income, and/or increase transaction costs, which may impact the Fund’s expense ratio. Additionally, a significant reduction in Fund assets would result in Fund expenses being
spread over a small asset base, potentially causing an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. To the extent that such transactions result in short-term capital gains, such gains will generally be taxed at the ordinary income tax rate. In
addition to the above information, the SAI includes disclosure of accounts holding more than 5% of a Fund’s voting securities.
Capital Gains. A Fund may sell securities and subsequently repurchase the same securities in an effort to manage capital gains distributions. This may occur if a Fund’s unrealized and/or realized capital gains represent a
significant portion of its net assets. If this occurs, this will change the timing, amount and/or character of capital gains to be distributed and therefore the amount and timing of tax paid by Fund shareholders will change. In addition,
shareholders may experience corresponding tax implications upon redemption as reinvested distributions will generally increase the cost basis of their Fund share position, potentially changing the amount of realized gain or loss. Accordingly, a
redeeming shareholder’s total tax liability from distributions and redemptions for a year may be impacted by the character of the distributions and whether or not shares are redeemed in the same year. In addition, a Fund’s repurchased
securities when subsequently sold may cause the Fund to realize short-term capital gains or losses rather than long-term capital gains or losses. Repurchases of substantially identical securities within 30 days before or after the securities are
sold at a loss will result in the application of the wash sale rules. The Fund
would incur
additional transaction costs from the selling and repurchasing of securities, and the value of the securities sold may change. An increase or decrease in the value of securities sold prior to being repurchased may impact Fund performance.
Government Intervention in
Financial Markets. Events in the financial sector resulted in reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets and a higher degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestically and internationally.
While entire markets were, and may continue to be, impacted, issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets were, and may continue to be, particularly affected. Future market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the
Funds’ investments.
Instability in the financial
markets has previously led, and could lead, governments and regulators around the world to take a number of actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, a
lack of liquidity or other adverse conditions. Governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Funds invest, or the issuers of such instruments, in
ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Funds themselves are regulated. For instance, in 2016, the SEC adopted rules that regulate the Funds’ management of liquidity risk. Such
legislation or regulation could limit or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Further, in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, the U.S. Government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and
Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in March 2020, which established loan programs for certain issuers impacted by COVID-19. Among other conditions, borrowers under these loan programs are generally restricted from paying dividends. The adoption of
any future legislation could further limit or restrict the ability of issuers to pay dividends. The ongoing effects of COVID-19 could result in continuing volatility in the market, which may negatively impact the performance of the Funds.
Governments or their agencies
may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or
negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Funds to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio
instruments held by the Funds.
Interest Bearing Deposit
Facility. As part of seeking to provide intraday liquidity, certain Money Market Funds generally set aside cash in an interest bearing deposit facility (“IBDF”) at a level estimated to meet the Money
Market Fund’s next business day’s intraday redemption orders. Under the IBDF, each Money Market Fund expects to retain a balance (“designated balance”) overnight in its custodial cash deposit account with JPMorgan Chase Bank
at a level estimated to meet its next business day’s intraday redemption orders. As redemption payments are processed for the Money Market Fund on the next business day, outgoing wires are debited from its account. At the end of that day, the
Money Market Fund seeks to allocate cash to the account to restore the designated balance. A Money Market Fund receives interest overnight on the designated balance.
Interfund Lending. To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls, a Fund may enter into lending agreements (“Interfund Lending Agreements”) under which the Fund would lend money and borrow money for
temporary purposes directly to and from another J.P. Morgan Fund through a credit facility (“Interfund Loan”), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to the Funds or other relief provided by the SEC or its
staff permitting such interfund lending. No Fund may borrow more than the lesser of the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or the amount permitted by its investment limitations. All Interfund Loans will consist only of uninvested cash
reserves that the Fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments.
If a Fund has outstanding
borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund will (a) be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b) be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as
any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding
bank loan to the Fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending Fund) constitute an immediate event of default under an Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending Fund to call the Interfund
Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral), and such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing Fund.
A Fund may make an unsecured
borrowing through the credit facility if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender,
including but not limited to another J.P. Morgan Fund, the Fund’s interfund borrowing will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires
collateral. If a Fund’s total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the credit facility on a secured basis only. A Fund may not borrow through
the credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the interfund borrowing would exceed the limits imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act.
No Fund may lend to another
Fund through the interfund lending credit facility if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit facility to exceed 15% of the lending Fund’s net assets at the time of the loan. A Fund’s Interfund Loans to
any one Fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending Fund’s net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event may the duration exceed seven days. Loans effected
within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a lending Fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing
Fund.
The limitations
detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending
activity is without risk. When a Fund borrows money from another Fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan
were not available from another Fund. A delay in repayment to a lending Fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs.
Master Limited Partnerships. Certain companies are organized as master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) in which ownership interests are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or directly own interests) that are
related to real estate development and oil and gas industries, but they also may finance motion pictures, research and development and other projects or provide financial services. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more
managing general partners. Limited partners (like a Fund that invests in an MLP) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership. They are allocated income and capital gains associated with the partnership project in accordance with
the terms established in the partnership agreement.
The risks of investing in an
MLP are generally those inherent in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections
afforded investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. Additional risks involved with investing in an MLP are risks associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risks of investing in real
estate, or oil and gas industries.
YieldCos. A YieldCo is a dividend growth-oriented company, created by a parent company (the “YieldCo Sponsor”), that bundles operating assets in order to generate systematic cash flows. YieldCos are not limited by
asset or income composition, but they are generally tied to the energy industry, including, for example, renewable energy projects, that offer predictable cash flows. YieldCos generally serve a similar purpose as MLPs and REITs, which most energy
companies cannot establish due to regulatory reasons.
The risks of investing in
YieldCos involve risks that differ from investments in traditional operating companies, including risks related to the relationship between the YieldCo and the YieldCo Sponsor. A YieldCo is usually dependent on the management of the YieldCo Sponsor
and may be impacted by the development capabilities and financial health of its YieldCo Sponsor. Additionally, a YieldCo Sponsor may have interests of its YieldCo and may retain control of the YieldCo through classes of stock held by the YieldCo
Sponsor.
A
YieldCo’s share price is typically a multiple of its distributable cash flow. Therefore, any event that limits a YieldCo’s ability to maintain or grow its distributable cash flow would likely have a negative impact on the YieldCo’s
share price. The share price of a YieldCo can be affected by fundamentals unique to the YieldCo, including the robustness and consistency of its earnings and its ability to meet debt obligations including the payment of interest and principle to
creditors. A YieldCo may distribute all or substantially all of the cash available for distribution, which may limit new acquisitions and future growth. A YieldCo may finance its growth strategy with debt, which may increase the YieldCo’s
leverage and the
risk associated
with the YieldCo. The ability of a YieldCo to maintain or grow its dividend distributions may depend on the YieldCo’s ability to minimize its tax liabilities through the use of accelerated depreciation schedule, tax loss carryforwards, and tax
incentives. Changes to the current tax code could result in greater tax liabilities, which would reduce a YieldCo’s distributable cash flow.
New Financial Products. New options and futures contracts and other financial products, and various combinations thereof, including over-the-counter products, continue to be developed. These various products may be used to adjust the risk and
return characteristics of certain Funds’ investments. These various products may increase or decrease exposure to security prices, interest rates, commodity prices, or other factors that affect security values, regardless of the issuer’s
credit risk. If market conditions do not perform as expected, the performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these products were not used. In addition, losses may occur if counterparties involved in transactions do not
perform as promised. These products may expose the Fund to potentially greater return as well as potentially greater risk of loss than more traditional fixed income investments.
Private Placements, Restricted
Securities and Other Unregistered Securities. Subject to its investment policies, a Fund may acquire investments such as obligations issued in reliance on the so-called “private placement” exemption from
registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), which cannot be offered for public sale in the U.S. without first being registered under the 1933 Act. These securities may be
subject to liquidity risks and certain private placements may be determined to be Illiquid Investments under the Liquidity Risk Management Program applicable to the Funds (other than Money Market Funds).
A Fund is subject to a risk
that should the Fund decide to sell such securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s net assets could be adversely affected. Where a security must be
registered under the 1933 Act before it may be sold, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to
sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, a Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.
The Funds may invest in
commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and other restricted securities (i.e., other securities subject to restrictions on resale). Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper
(“4(a)(2) paper”) is restricted as to disposition under federal securities law and is generally sold to institutional investors, such as the Funds, that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment purposes and not with a view
to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be in an exempt transaction. 4(a)(2) paper is normally resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in 4(a)(2)
paper, thus providing liquidity.
Securities Issued in Connection
with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructuring. Debt securities may be downgraded and issuers of debt securities including investment grade securities may default in the payment of principal or interest or be
subject to bankruptcy proceedings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. A Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even
though it does not ordinarily invest in such securities and such common stock or other securities may be denominated in currencies that a Fund may not ordinarily hold.
Stapled Securities. From time to time, the Funds may invest in stapled securities to gain exposure to companies. A stapled security is a security that is comprised of two or more parts that cannot be separated from one another. The
resulting security is influenced by both parts, and must be treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying or selling a security. The value of stapled securities and the income derived from them may fall as well as rise. Stapled securities
are not obligations of, deposits in, or guaranteed by, the Fund. The listing of stapled securities on a domestic or foreign exchange does not guarantee a liquid market for stapled securities.
Temporary Defensive Positions. To respond to unusual market conditions, all of the Funds may invest their assets in cash or cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are highly liquid, high quality instruments with maturities of three months or less on the
date they are purchased (“Cash Equivalents”) for temporary defensive purposes. These investments may result in a lower yield than lower-quality or longer term investments and may prevent the Funds from meeting their investment
objectives. The percentage of Fund’s total assets that a Fund may invest in cash or cash equivalents is described in the applicable Fund’s Prospectuses. They include securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies,
Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”) and instrumentalities, repurchase agreements with maturities of 7 days or less,
certificates of
deposit, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, money market mutual funds, and bank deposit accounts. In order to invest in repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for temporary defensive purposes, certain Funds may
engage in periodic “test” trading in order to assess operational abilities at times when the Fund would otherwise not enter into such a position. These exercises may vary in size and frequency.
Infectious Disease Risk. A worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has negatively affected economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world. The effects of this COVID-19 pandemic to public health, and business and market conditions,
including exchange trading suspensions and closures may continue to have a significant negative impact on the performance of a Fund’s investments, increase a Fund’s volatility, negatively impact the Fund’s arbitrage and pricing
mechanisms and exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks to the Funds.
The risk of further spreading
of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The impacts of COVID-19, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations, particular
regions, or the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. The full extent of such impacts cannot necessarily be foreseen. The impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time,
and may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. The value of a Fund and the securities in which a Fund invests may be adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19 and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in
the future. The impact of a pandemic may also negatively affect the liquidity of certain of a Fund’s portfolio holdings and may make it more difficult to value such holdings. Because epidemics and pandemics (such as COVID-19) impact broad
segments of businesses and populations at the same time or in close succession, often in unpredictable and significant ways, they create the risk that a Fund’s operations may be interrupted, which may have a significant negative impact on
investment performance. Governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the instruments in which a Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could also have a significant
negative impact on a Fund’s investment performance.
Mortgage-Related Securities
Mortgages (Directly Held). Mortgages are debt instruments secured by real property. Unlike mortgage-backed securities, which generally represent an interest in a pool of mortgages, direct investments in mortgages involve prepayment and credit
risks of an individual issuer and real property. Consequently, these investments require different investment and credit analysis by a Fund’s Adviser.
Directly placed mortgages may
include residential mortgages, multifamily mortgages, mortgages on cooperative apartment buildings, commercial mortgages, and sale-leasebacks. These investments are backed by assets such as office buildings, shopping centers, retail stores,
warehouses, apartment buildings and single-family dwellings. In the event that a Fund forecloses on any non-performing mortgage, and acquires a direct interest in the real property, such Fund will be subject to the risks generally associated with
the ownership of real property. There may be fluctuations in the market value of the foreclosed property and its occupancy rates, rent schedules and operating expenses. There may also be adverse changes in local, regional or general economic
conditions, deterioration of the real estate market and the financial circumstances of tenants and sellers, unfavorable changes in zoning, building, environmental and other laws, increased real property taxes, rising interest rates, reduced
availability and increased cost of mortgage borrowings, the need for unanticipated renovations, unexpected increases in the cost of energy, environmental factors, acts of God and other factors which are beyond the control of a Fund or the Adviser.
Hazardous or toxic substances may be present on, at or under the mortgaged property and adversely affect the value of the property. In addition, the owners of property containing such substances may be held responsible, under various laws, for
containing, monitoring, removing or cleaning up such substances. The presence of such substances may also provide a basis for other claims by third parties. Costs of clean up or of liabilities to third parties may exceed the value of the property.
In addition, these risks may be uninsurable. In light of these and similar risks, it may be impossible to dispose profitably of properties in foreclosure.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which are securities that represent pools of mortgage loans assembled and/or securitized for sale to investors. MBS include mortgage pass-through
securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). MBS may be arranged by various governmental agencies, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”); government sponsored enterprises
(“GSEs”), such as the Federal National Mortgage
Association
(“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”); and private issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, and private mortgage insurance companies.
A mortgage pass-through
security is a pro rata interest in a pool of mortgages where the cash flow generated from the mortgage collateral is passed through to the security holder after paying servicing and guarantee fees.
CMOs are debt securities that
are fully collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or MBS, or re-securitized or reorganized MBS. Unlike mortgage pass-through securities, CMOs may be organized in a variety of different ways to create customized cash flows in different tranches
and may offer certain protections against prepayment risk, such as creating more definite maturities. CMOs may pay fixed or variable rates of interest, and certain CMOs have priority over others with respect to the receipt of prepayments. CMOs may
be structured as Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”) which are federally tax-exempt entities that may be organized as trusts, partnerships, corporations or other types of associations.
CMOs are also subject to cash
flow uncertainty and price volatility. Stripped mortgage securities (a type of potentially high-risk CMO) are created by separating the interest and principal payments generated by a pool of MBS or a CMO to create additional classes of securities.
CMOs are subject to principal prepayments on the underlying mortgages and, thus, may be retired earlier than scheduled.
MBS are subject to scheduled
and unscheduled principal payments as homeowners pay down or prepay their mortgages. As these payments are received, they must be reinvested when interest rates may be higher or lower than on the original mortgage security. Therefore, these
securities may not be an effective means of locking in long-term interest rates. In addition, when interest rates fall, the pace of mortgage prepayments increase, sometimes rapidly. These refinanced mortgages are paid off at face value (par),
causing a loss for any investor who may have purchased the MBS at a price above par. In such an environment, this risk limits the potential price appreciation of these securities and can negatively affect a Fund’s NAV. When rates rise, the
prices of mortgage-backed securities can be expected to decline, although historically these securities have experienced smaller price declines than comparable quality bonds. In addition, when rates rise and prepayments slow, the effective duration
of MBS extends, resulting in increased volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying MBS and thereby adversely affect the ability of the MBS
issuer to make principal payments to MBS holders.
MBS issued by the U.S.
government and its agencies and instrumentalities may be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or may be guaranteed as to principal and interest payments. There are a number of important differences among the agencies, GSEs and
instrumentalities of the U.S. government that issue MBS and among the securities that they issue.
Ginnie Mae Securities. MBS issued by Ginnie Mae include Ginnie Mae Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates and CMOs which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae’s guarantee is backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned U.S. government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Mae certificates also are supported by the authority of Ginnie Mae to borrow funds
from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Securities. MBS issued by Fannie Mae include Fannie Mae Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates which are solely the obligations of Fannie Mae and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government. Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored enterprise, which is chartered by Congress but owned by private shareholders. Fannie Mae Certificates are guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by Fannie Mae. MBS
issued by Freddie Mac include Freddie Mac Mortgage Participation Certificates and CMOs. Like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac is a government-sponsored enterprise, which is chartered by Congress but owned by private shareholders. Freddie Mac Certificates are
not guaranteed by the U.S. government and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the U.S. government. Freddie Mac Certificates entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac guarantees either
ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When Freddie Mac does not guarantee timely payment of principal, Freddie Mac may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment
of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable.
On June 3, 2019, under the
FHFA’s “Single Security Initiative,” Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac began issuing uniform mortgage-backed securities (“UMBS”). UMBS are eligible for delivery into the TBA market. Each UMBS has a 55-day remittance cycle and
can be used as collateral in either a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac security or held for investment. Freddie Mac’s legacy TBA-eligible securities have a 45-day remittance cycle and will not be directly eligible for delivery in settlement of a UMBS
trade. Freddie Mac will offer investors the opportunity to exchange outstanding legacy mortgage-backed securities for mirror UMBS with a 55-day remittance period. The exchange offer includes compensation for the 10-day delay in receipt of payments.
A Fund’s ability to invest in UMBS to the same degree that the Fund currently invests in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities is uncertain.
While Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac have taken steps for a smooth transition to the issuance of UMBS, the effects of the issuance of UMBS on the MBS and TBA markets are uncertain and there may be factors that affect the timing of the transition to UMBS or the ability of market
participants, including a Fund, to adapt to the issuance of UMBS. A Fund may need to consider the tax and accounting issues raised by investments in UMBS and/or the exchange of legacy Freddie Mac securities for UMBS. Additionally, there could be
divergence in prepayment rates of UMBS issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could lead to differences in the prices of Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-issued UMBS if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fail to align programs, policies and practices that
affect prepayments. The initial effects of the issuance of UMBS on the market for mortgage-related securities have been relatively minimal, however the long-term effects are still uncertain.
For more information on recent
events impacting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities, see “Recent Events Regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Securities” under the heading “Risk Factors of Mortgage-Related
Securities” below.
CMOs and guaranteed REMIC
pass-through certificates (“REMIC Certificates”) issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and private issuers are types of multiple class pass-through securities. Investors may purchase beneficial interests in REMICs, which are
known as “regular” interests or “residual” interests. The Funds do not currently intend to purchase residual interests in REMICs. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC Trust, generally
consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates (the “Mortgage Assets”). The obligations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae under their respective guaranty of the
REMIC Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, respectively.
Fannie Mae
REMIC Certificates. Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal
balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.
Freddie Mac
REMIC Certificates. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest, and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates
(“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified residential mortgages or participation therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate
collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of principal on certain PCs referred to as “Gold PCs.”
Ginnie Mae
REMIC Certificates. Ginnie Mae guarantees the full and timely payment of interest and principal on each class of securities (in accordance with the terms of those classes as specified in the related offering circular
supplement). The Ginnie Mae guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
REMIC Certificates issued by
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are treated as U.S. Government securities for purposes of investment policies.
CMOs and REMIC Certificates
provide for the redistribution of cash flow to multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later
than its final distribution date. This reallocation of interest and principal results in the redistribution of prepayment risk across different classes. This allows for the creation of bonds with more or less risk than the underlying collateral
exhibits. Principal prepayments on the mortgage loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates
may cause some or
all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.
The principal of and interest
on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal
prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC
Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.
Additional structures of CMOs
and REMIC Certificates include, among others, principal only structures, interest only structures, inverse floaters and “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Certain of these structures may be more volatile than other types of CMO
and REMIC structures. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These
simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.
A wide variety of REMIC
Certificates may be issued in the parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an
earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates which generally require that
specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes of REMIC Certificates (the “PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be
applied to one or more other classes of the certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest
currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount of principal payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC
tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying Mortgage Assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than the PAC classes. The Z-Bonds in
which the Funds may invest may bear the same non-credit-related risks as do other types of Z-Bonds. Z-Bonds in which the Fund may invest will not include residual interest.
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for the
definition of “investment company” provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
GSE Credit Risk Transfer
Securities and GSE Credit-Linked Notes. GSE Credit risk transfer securities are notes issued directly by a GSE, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and GSE credit-linked notes are notes issued by a SPV sponsored by
a GSE. Investors in these notes provide credit protection for the applicable GSE’s mortgage-related securities guarantee obligations. In this regard, a noteholder receives compensation for providing credit protection to the GSE and, when a
specified level of losses on the relevant mortgage loans occurs, the principal balance and certain payments owed to the noteholder may be reduced. In addition, noteholders may receive a return of principal prior to the stated maturity date
reflecting prepayment on the underlying mortgage loans and in any other circumstances that may be set forth in the applicable loan agreement. The notes may be issued in different tranches representing the issuance of different levels of credit risk
protection to the GSE on the underlying mortgage loans and the notes are not secured by the reference mortgage loans. There are important differences between the structure of GSE credit risk transfer securities and GSE credit-linked
notes.
GSE Credit
Risk Transfer Securities Structure. In this structure, the GSE receives the note sale proceeds. The GSE pays noteholders monthly interest payments and a return of principal on the stated maturity date based on the
initial investment amount, as reduced by any covered losses on the reference mortgage loans.
GSE
Credit-Linked Notes Structure. In this structure, the SPV receives the note sale proceeds and the SPV’s obligations to the noteholder are collateralized by the note sale proceeds. The SPV invests the proceeds
in cash or other short-term assets. The SPV also enters into a credit protection agreement with the GSE pursuant to which the GSE pays the SPV monthly premium payments and the SPV compensates the GSE for covered losses on the reference mortgage
loans. The SPV pays noteholders
monthly interest payments based on the
premium payments paid by the GSE and the performance on the invested note sale proceeds. The noteholders also receive a return of principal on a stated maturity date based on the initial investment amount, as reduced by any covered losses on the
reference mortgage loans paid by the SPV or the GSE.
Mortgage TBAs. A Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through securities eligible to be sold in the “to-be-announced” or TBA market (“Mortgage TBAs”). Mortgage TBAs provide for the forward or delayed delivery of
the underlying instrument with settlement up to 180 days. The term TBA comes from the fact that the actual mortgage-backed security that will be delivered to fulfill a TBA trade is not designated at the time the trade is made, but rather is
generally announced 48 hours before the settlement date. Mortgage TBAs are subject to the risks described in the “When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments” section. Additionally, amendments to
applicable rolls include certain mandatory margin requirements for the TBA market, which may require the Funds to pay collateral in connection with their TBA transactions. The required margin could increase the cost of the Funds and add additional
complexity for Funds engaging in these transactions.
Mortgage Dollar Rolls. In a mortgage dollar roll transaction, one party sells mortgage-backed securities, principally Mortgage TBAs, for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase
similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. When a Fund enters into TBAs/mortgage dollar rolls, the Fund will segregate or earmark until the settlement date liquid assets, in an amount equal to
the agreed-upon purchase price of each long and short position. Economically offsetting TBA positions with the same agency, coupon, and maturity date, are generally permitted to be netted if the short position settles on the same date or before the
long position. During the period between the sale and repurchase in a mortgage dollar roll transaction, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on securities sold. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the
securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the terms of the agreement. If the counterparty files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to repurchase or sell securities may be limited. Mortgage dollar rolls may be
subject to leverage risks. In addition, mortgage dollar rolls may increase interest rate risk and result in an increased portfolio turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable gains. The benefits of mortgage dollar rolls may depend
upon a Fund’s Adviser’s ability to predict mortgage prepayments and interest rates. There is no assurance that mortgage dollar rolls can be successfully employed. For purposes of diversification and investment limitations, mortgage
dollar rolls are considered to be mortgage-backed securities.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed
Securities. Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities (“SMBS”) are derivative multi-class mortgage securities issued outside the REMIC or CMO structure. SMBS may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of
the U.S. Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities. SMBS are usually structured with two
classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving all of the interest from the mortgage assets (“IOs”), while the
other class will receive all of the principal (“POs”). Mortgage IOs receive monthly interest payments based upon a notional amount that declines over time as a result of the normal monthly amortization and unscheduled prepayments of
principal on the associated mortgage POs.
In addition to the risks
applicable to Mortgage-Related Securities in general, SMBS are subject to the following additional risks:
Prepayment/Interest
Rate Sensitivity. SMBS are extremely sensitive to changes in prepayments and interest rates. Even though these securities have been guaranteed by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government, under certain
interest rate or prepayment rate scenarios, the Funds may lose money on investments in SMBS.
Interest Only
SMBS. Changes in prepayment rates can cause the return on investment in IOs to be highly volatile. Under extremely high prepayment conditions, IOs can incur significant losses.
Principal
Only SMBS. POs are bought at a discount to the ultimate principal repayment value. The rate of return on a PO will vary with prepayments, rising as prepayments increase and falling as prepayments decrease. Generally,
the market value of these securities is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates.
Yield
Characteristics. Although SMBS may yield more than other mortgage-backed securities, their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that any premium paid will not be fully recouped. A
Fund’s Adviser will seek to manage these risks (and potential benefits) by investing in a variety of such securities and by using certain analytical and hedging techniques.
Privately Issued
Mortgage-Related Securities. Non-government issuers, including commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers, also create
pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Mortgage pools created by
non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of
interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance of guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities or private insurers.
Such insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness of the issuers thereof may be considered in determining whether a mortgage-related security meets a Fund’s investment quality standards. There can be no assurance that insurers or
guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements.
Privately issued
mortgage-related securities may not be subject to the same underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-related securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result,
the mortgage loans underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities may have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-related securities and have wider
variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. Mortgage pools underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities may include second mortgages, high loan-to-value ratio mortgages where a
government or government-sponsored entity guarantee is not available. The coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a privately-issued mortgage-related securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those included in a
government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are loans made to borrowers with low credit ratings or other factors that increase the risk of default. For these reasons, the loans underlying these
securities historically have had higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.
The risk of non-payment is
greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by loans that were originated under weak underwriting standards, including loans made to borrowers with limited means to make repayment. A level of risk exists for all loans, although,
historically, the poorest performing loans have been those classified as subprime. Other types of privately issued mortgage-related securities, such as those classified as pay-option adjustable rate or Alt-A, at times, have also performed poorly.
Even loans classified as prime may experience higher levels of delinquencies and defaults. A decline in real property values across the U.S. may exacerbate the level of losses that investors in privately issued mortgage-related securities have
experienced. Market factors that may adversely affect mortgage loan repayment include adverse economic conditions, unemployment, a decline in the value of real property, or an increase in interest rates.
Privately issued
mortgage-related securities are not traded on an exchange and there may be a limited market for these securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market,
mortgage-related securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans.
The Funds may purchase
privately issued mortgage-related securities that are originated, packaged and serviced by third party entities. Such third parties may have obligations to investors of mortgage-related securities under trust or other documents. For example, loan
servicers may be liable to the holder of the mortgage-related securities for negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out their servicing duties. Similarly, loan originators/servicers may make certain representations and warranties regarding the
quality of the mortgages and properties underlying a mortgage-related security, which if untrue, may trigger an obligation of the originator/service or its affiliates, as applicable, to repurchase the mortgages from the issuing trust. Although trust
and other documents may include protective provisions, investors in certain mortgage-related securities have had limited success in enforcing terms or such agreements against such third parties. In addition, such third parties may have had interests
that are in conflict with those holders of the mortgage-related.
For example, to the extent
third party entities are involved in litigation relating to the securities, actions may be taken by such third parties that are adverse to the interest of the holders of the mortgage-related securities, including the Funds, such as withholding
proceeds due to holders of the mortgage-related securities, to cover legal or related costs. Any such action could result in losses to the Funds.
In addition, certain
mortgage-related securities, which may include loans that originally qualified under standards established by government-sponsored entities (for example, certain REMICs that include Fannie Mae mortgages), are not considered as government securities
for purposes of a Fund’s investment strategies or policies and may be subject to the same risks as privately-issued mortgage-related securities. There is no government or government-sponsored guarantee for such privately issued
investments.
Adjustable
Rate Mortgage Loans. Certain Funds may invest in adjustable rate mortgage loans (“ARMs”). ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool will generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate
for a specified period of time. Thereafter, the interest rates (the “Mortgage Interest Rates”) may be subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the applicable index rate (the “Index Rate”). The adjusted rate would be
equal to the Index Rate plus a gross margin, which is a fixed percentage spread over the Index Rate established for each ARM at the time of its origination.
Adjustable interest rates can
cause payment increases that some borrowers may find difficult to make. However, certain ARMs may provide that the Mortgage Interest Rate may not be adjusted to a rate above an applicable lifetime maximum rate or below an applicable lifetime minimum
rate for such ARM. Certain ARMs may also be subject to limitations on the maximum amount by which the Mortgage Interest Rate may adjust for any single adjustment period (the “Maximum Adjustment”). Other ARMs (“Negatively Amortizing
ARMs”) may provide instead or as well for limitations on changes in the monthly payment on such ARMs. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments which are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a Negatively
Amortizing ARM by its maturity at the Mortgage Interest Rate in effect in any particular month. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on a Negatively Amortizing ARM, any such excess interest is added to
the principal balance of the loan, causing negative amortization and will be repaid through future monthly payments. It may take borrowers under Negatively Amortizing ARMs longer periods of time to achieve equity and may increase the likelihood of
default by such borrowers. In the event that a monthly payment exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate and the principal payment which would have been necessary to amortize the outstanding principal balance
over the remaining term of the loan, the excess (or “accelerated amortization”) further reduces the principal balance of the ARM. Negatively Amortizing ARMs do not provide for the extension of their original maturity to accommodate
changes in their Mortgage Interest Rate. As a result, unless there is a periodic recalculation of the payment amount (which there generally is), the final payment may be substantially larger than the other payments. These limitations on periodic
increases in interest rates and on changes in monthly payments protect borrowers from unlimited interest rate and payment increases.
Certain ARMs may provide for
periodic adjustments of scheduled payments in order to amortize fully the mortgage loan by its stated maturity. Other ARMs may permit their stated maturity to be extended or shortened in accordance with the portion of each payment that is applied to
interest as affected by the periodic interest rate adjustments.
There are two main categories
of indices which provide the basis for rate adjustments on ARMs: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices
include the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury bill rates, the three-month Treasury bill rate, the 180-day Treasury bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of
Funds, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year LIBOR, the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury rate, closely mirror
changes in market interest rate levels. Others, such as the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds index, tend to lag behind changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile. The degree of volatility in the market
value of the Fund’s portfolio and therefore in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares will be a function of the length of the interest rate reset periods and the degree of volatility in the applicable indices.
In general, changes in both
prepayment rates and interest rates will change the yield on Mortgage-Backed Securities. The rate of principal prepayments with respect to ARMs has fluctuated in recent years. As is the case with fixed mortgage loans, ARMs may be subject to a
greater rate of principal prepayments in a declining interest rate environment. For example, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly, ARMs could be subject to higher prepayment rates than if prevailing interest rates remain constant because
the
availability of
fixed rate mortgage loans at competitive interest rates may encourage mortgagors to refinance their ARMs to “lock-in” a lower fixed interest rate. Conversely, if prevailing interest rates rise significantly, ARMs may prepay at lower
rates than if prevailing rates remain at or below those in effect at the time such ARMs were originated. As with fixed rate mortgages, there can be no certainty as to the rate of prepayments on the ARMs in either stable or changing interest rate
environments. In addition, there can be no certainty as to whether increases in the principal balances of the ARMs due to the addition of deferred interest may result in a default rate higher than that on ARMs that do not provide for negative
amortization.
Other factors
affecting prepayment of ARMs include changes in mortgagors’ housing needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagors’ net equity in the mortgage properties and servicing decisions.
Risk Factors of Mortgage-Related
Securities. The following is a summary of certain risks associated with Mortgage-Related Securities:
Guarantor Risk. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac if necessary in the future. Although certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party or
otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not so secured.
Interest Rate Sensitivity. If a Fund purchases a mortgage-related security at a premium, that portion may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments in the
underlying mortgage collateral. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. Although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest rates rise, the
converse is not necessarily true since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the securities are prone to prepayment. For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related security’s stated maturity may be shortened by
unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return to the Fund. In addition, regular payments received in respect of mortgage-related securities include both
interest and principal. No assurance can be given as to the return the Fund will receive when these amounts are reinvested.
Liquidity. The liquidity of certain mortgage-backed securities varies by type of security; at certain times the Fund may encounter difficulty in disposing of such investments. In the past, in stressed markets, certain types of
mortgage-backed securities suffered periods of illiquidity when disfavored by the market. It is possible that the Fund may be unable to sell a mortgage-backed security at a desirable time or at the value the Fund has placed on the
investment.
Market Value. The market value of the Fund’s adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities may be adversely affected if interest rates increase faster than the rates of interest payable on such securities or by the adjustable rate
mortgage loans underlying such securities. Furthermore, adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities or the mortgage loans underlying such securities may contain provisions limiting the amount by which rates may be adjusted upward and downward and may
limit the amount by which monthly payments may be increased or decreased to accommodate upward and downward adjustments in interest rates. When the market value of the properties underlying the Mortgage-Backed Securities suffer broad declines on a
regional or national level, the values of the corresponding Mortgage-Backed Securities or Mortgage-Backed Securities as a whole, may be adversely affected as well.
Prepayments. Adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities have less potential for capital appreciation than fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities because their coupon rates will decline in response to market interest rate declines. The
market value of fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities may be adversely affected as a result of increases in interest rates and, because of the risk of unscheduled principal prepayments, may benefit less than other fixed rate securities of similar
maturity from declining interest rates. Finally, to the extent Mortgage-Backed Securities are purchased at a premium, mortgage foreclosures and unscheduled principal prepayments may result in some loss of the Fund’s principal investment to the
extent of the premium paid. On the other hand, if such securities are purchased at a discount, both a scheduled payment of principal and an unscheduled prepayment of principal will increase current and total returns and will accelerate the
recognition of income.
Yield Characteristics. The yield characteristics of Mortgage-Backed Securities differ from those of traditional fixed income securities. The major differences typically include more frequent interest and principal payments, usually monthly,
and the possibility that prepayments of principal may be made at any time. Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors and cannot be predicted with certainty.
As with fixed rate mortgage
loans, adjustable
rate mortgage loans may be subject to a greater prepayment rate in a declining interest rate environment. The yields to maturity of the Mortgage-Backed Securities in which the Funds invest will be affected by the actual rate of payment (including
prepayments) of principal of the underlying mortgage loans. The mortgage loans underlying such securities generally may be prepaid at any time without penalty. In a fluctuating interest rate environment, a predominant factor affecting the prepayment
rate on a pool of mortgage loans is the difference between the interest rates on the mortgage loans and prevailing mortgage loan interest rates taking into account the cost of any refinancing. In general, if mortgage loan interest rates fall
sufficiently below the interest rates on fixed rate mortgage loans underlying mortgage pass-through securities, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on the
fixed rate mortgage loans underlying the mortgage pass-through securities, the rate of prepayment may be expected to decrease.
Recent Events Regarding Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac Securities. On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights,
titles, powers and privileges of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and of any stockholder, officer or director of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with respect to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the assets of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In connection with the
conservatorship, the U.S. Treasury entered into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pursuant to which the U.S. Treasury agreed to purchase 1,000 shares of senior preferred stock
with an initial liquidation preference of $1 billion and obtained warrants and options to for the purchase of common stock of each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Under the SPAs as currently amended, the U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide financial
support to a GSE in any quarter in which the GSE has a net worth deficit as defined in the respective SPA. As of September 30, 2019, the maximum amount of funding under the SPAs was $113.9 billion and $140.2 billion for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,
respectively, and will be reduced by any futures draws. In addition, under a letter agreement, the GSEs are required to pay the U.S. Treasury a quarterly dividend in any quarter where the capital reserves exceed $25 billion and $20 billion for
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. The letter agreement also provides that, beginning September 30, 2019, the liquidation preference of the senior preferred stock will increase at the end of each fiscal quarter by an amount equal to the
increase in the net worth until the liquidation preference has increased by $22 billion and $17 billion for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, the liquidation preference was $127.2 billion and $77.5 billion for
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. The SPAs contain various covenants that severely limit each enterprise’s operations.
The conditions attached to
entering into the SPAs place significant restrictions on the activities of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae must obtain the consent of the U.S. Treasury to, among other things, (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its
capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond
certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions are placed on the maximum size of each of Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s respective portfolios of mortgages and MBS, and the purchase agreements entered into by Freddie Mac
and Fannie Mae provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken
and restrictions placed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made
by the U.S. Treasury, market responses to developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn,
impact the value of, and cash flows on, any MBS guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including any such MBS held by a Fund.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are
continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The SPAs are intended to enhance each of Fannie
Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s ability to meet its obligations. The FHFA has indicated that the conservatorship of each enterprise will end when the director of FHFA determines that FHFA’s plan to restore the enterprise to a safe and
solvent condition has been completed. The FHFA recently announced plans to consider taking Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship. Should Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be taken out of conservatorship, it is unclear whether the U.S. Treasury
would continue to enforce its rights or perform its obligations under the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement. It is also unclear how the capital structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be constructed post-conservatorship, and what
effects, if any, the privatization of
Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac will have on their creditworthiness and guarantees of certain mortgage-backed securities. Accordingly, should the FHFA take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship, there could be an adverse impact on the value of their
securities, which could cause a Fund’s investments to lose value.
Risks Related to GSE Credit Risk
Transfer Securities and GSE Credit-Linked Notes. GSE Credit risk transfer securities are general obligations issued by a GSE and are unguaranteed and unsecured. GSE Credit-linked notes are similar, except that the
notes are issued by an SPV, rather than by a GSE, and the obligations of the SPV are collateralized by the note proceeds as invested by the SPV, which are invested in cash or short-term securities. Although both GSE credit risk transfer securities
and GSE credit-linked notes are unguaranteed, obligations of an SPV are also not backstopped by the Department of Treasury or an obligation of a GSE.
The risks associated with these
investments are different than the risks associated with an investment in mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs or a private issuer. For example, in the event of a default on the obligations to noteholders, noteholders such as the Funds have no
recourse to the underlying mortgage loans. In addition, some or all of the mortgage default risk associated with the underlying mortgage loans is transferred to noteholders. As a result, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur on an
investment in GSE credit risk transfer securities or GSE credit-linked notes and Funds investing in these instruments may be exposed to the risk of loss on their investment. In addition, these investments are subject to prepayment risk.
In the case of GSE
credit-linked notes, if a GSE fails to make a premium or other required payment to the SPV, the SPV may be unable to pay a noteholder the entire amount of interest or principal payable to the noteholder. In the event of a default on the obligations
to noteholders, the SPV’s principal and interest payment obligations to noteholders will be subordinated to the SPV’s credit protection payment obligations to the GSE. Payment of such amounts to noteholders depends on the cash available
in the trust from the loan proceeds and the GSE’s premium payments.
Any income earned by the SPV on
investments of loan proceeds is expected to be less than the interest payments amounts to be paid to noteholders of the GSE credit-linked notes and interest payments to noteholders will be reduced if the GSE fails to make premium payments to the
SPV. An SPV’s investment of loan proceeds may also be concentrated in the securities of a few number of issuers. A noteholder bears any investment losses on the allocable portion of the loan proceeds.
An SPV that issues GSE
credit-linked notes may fall within the definition of a “commodity pool” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Certain GSEs are not registered as commodity pool operators in reliance on CFTC no-action relief, subject to certain conditions
similar to those under CFTC Rule 4.13(a)(3), which respect to the operation of the SPV. If the GSE or SPV fails to comply with such conditions, noteholders that are investment vehicles, such as the Funds, may need to register as a CPO, which could
cause such a Fund to incur increased costs.
Municipal Securities
Municipal Securities are issued
to obtain funds for a wide variety of reasons. For example, municipal securities may be issued to obtain funding for the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as:
1.
|
bridges;
|
2.
|
highways;
|
3.
|
roads;
|
4.
|
schools;
|
5.
|
waterworks and
sewer systems; and |
6.
|
other
utilities. |
Other public purposes for which
Municipal Securities may be issued include:
1.
|
refunding
outstanding obligations; |
2.
|
obtaining funds
for general operating expenses; and |
3.
|
obtaining
funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. |
In addition, certain debt
obligations known as “Private Activity Bonds” may be issued by or on behalf of municipalities and public authorities to obtain funds to provide:
1.
|
water, sewage and
solid waste facilities; |
2.
|
qualified
residential rental projects; |
3.
|
certain local
electric, gas and other heating or cooling facilities; |
4.
|
qualified
hazardous waste facilities; |
5.
|
high-speed
intercity rail facilities; |
6.
|
governmentally-owned
airports, docks and wharves and mass transportation facilities; |
7.
|
qualified
mortgages; |
8.
|
student loan and
redevelopment bonds; and |
9.
|
bonds
used for certain organizations exempt from Federal income taxation. |
Certain debt obligations known as
“Industrial Development Bonds” under prior Federal tax law may have been issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide:
1.
|
privately operated
housing facilities; |
2.
|
sports facilities;
|
3.
|
industrial parks;
|
4.
|
convention or
trade show facilities; |
5.
|
airport, mass
transit, port or parking facilities; |
6.
|
air or water
pollution control facilities; |
7.
|
sewage or solid
waste disposal facilities; and |
8.
|
facilities
for water supply. |
Other private activity bonds
and industrial development bonds issued to fund the construction, improvement, equipment or repair of privately-operated industrial, distribution, research, or commercial facilities may also be Municipal Securities, however the size of such issues
is limited under current and prior Federal tax law. The aggregate amount of most private activity bonds and industrial development bonds is limited (except in the case of certain types of facilities) under Federal tax law by an annual “volume
cap.” The volume cap limits the annual aggregate principal amount of such obligations issued by or on behalf of all governmental instrumentalities in the state.
The two principal
classifications of Municipal Securities consist of “general obligation” and “limited” (or revenue) issues. General obligation bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable
from the issuer’s general unrestricted revenues and not from any particular fund or source. The characteristics and method of enforcement of general obligation bonds vary according to the law applicable to the particular issuer, and payment
may be dependent upon appropriation by the issuer’s legislative body. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special
excise or other specific revenue source. Private activity bonds and industrial development bonds generally are revenue bonds and thus not payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. The credit and quality of such bonds is generally related
to the credit of the bank selected to provide the letter of credit underlying the bond. Payment of principal of and interest on industrial development revenue bonds is the responsibility of the corporate user (and any guarantor).
The Funds may also acquire
“moral obligation” issues, which are normally issued by special purpose authorities, and in other tax-exempt investments including pollution control bonds and tax-exempt commercial paper. Each Fund that may purchase municipal bonds may
purchase:
1.
|
Short-term
tax-exempt General Obligations Notes; |
2.
|
Tax Anticipation
Notes; |
3.
|
Bond
Anticipation Notes; |
4.
|
Revenue
Anticipation Notes; |
5.
|
Project Notes; and
|
6.
|
Other
forms of short-term tax-exempt loans. |
Such notes are issued with a
short-term maturity in anticipation of the receipt of tax funds, the proceeds of bond placements, or other revenues. Project Notes are issued by a state or local housing agency and are sold by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While
the issuing agency has the primary obligation with respect to its Project Notes, they are also secured by the full faith and credit of the U.S. through agreements with the issuing authority which provide that, if required, the Federal government
will lend the issuer an amount equal to the principal of and interest on the Project Notes.
There are, of course,
variations in the quality of Municipal Securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications. Also, the yields on Municipal Securities depend upon a variety of factors, including:
1.
|
general money
market conditions; |
2.
|
coupon rate;
|
3.
|
the financial
condition of the issuer; |
4.
|
general conditions
of the municipal bond market; |
5.
|
the size of a
particular offering; |
6.
|
the maturity of
the obligations; and |
7.
|
the
rating of the issue. |
The ratings of Moody’s
and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of Municipal Securities. However, ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Municipal Securities with the same maturity, interest rate and rating may have different yields
while Municipal Securities of the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield. Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an issue of Municipal Securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the
minimum rating required for purchase by the Fund. The Adviser will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the obligations.
Municipal Securities may
include obligations of municipal housing authorities and single-family mortgage revenue bonds. Weaknesses in Federal housing subsidy programs and their administration may result in a decrease of subsidies available for payment of principal and
interest on housing authority bonds. Economic developments, including fluctuations in interest rates and increasing construction and operating costs, may also adversely impact revenues of housing authorities. In the case of some housing authorities,
inability to obtain additional financing could also reduce revenues available to pay existing obligations.
Single-family mortgage revenue
bonds are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption at par in whole or in part from the proceeds derived from prepayments of underlying mortgage loans and also from the unused proceeds of the issue within a stated period which may be within a
year from the date of issue.
Municipal leases are
obligations issued by state and local governments or authorities to finance the acquisition of equipment and facilities. They may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase contract, a conditional sales contract, or a participation interest
in any of the above.
Premium Securities. During a period of declining interest rates, many Municipal Securities in which the Funds invest likely will bear coupon rates higher than current market rates, regardless of whether the securities were initially
purchased at a premium.
Risk Factors in Municipal
Securities. The following is a summary of certain risks associated with Municipal Securities
Tax Risk. The Code imposes certain continuing requirements on issuers of tax-exempt bonds regarding the use, expenditure and investment of bond proceeds and the payment of rebates to the U.S. Failure by the issuer to comply
subsequent to the issuance of tax-exempt bonds with certain of these requirements could cause interest on the bonds to become includable in gross income retroactive to the date of issuance.
Housing Authority Tax Risk. The exclusion from gross income for Federal income tax purposes for certain housing authority bonds depends on qualification under relevant provisions of the Code and on other provisions of Federal law. These provisions
of Federal law contain requirements relating to the cost and location of the residences financed with the proceeds of the single-family mortgage bonds and the income levels of tenants of the rental projects financed with the proceeds of the
multi-family housing bonds. Typically, the issuers of the bonds, and other parties, including the originators and servicers of the single-family mortgages and the owners of the rental projects financed with the multi-family housing bonds, covenant
to meet these requirements. However, there is no assurance that the requirements will be met. If such requirements are not met:
•
|
the interest on
the bonds may become taxable, possibly retroactively from the date of issuance; |
•
|
the value of the
bonds may be reduced; |
•
|
you and other
Shareholders may be subject to unanticipated tax liabilities; |
•
|
a Fund may be
required to sell the bonds at the reduced value; |
•
|
it may be an event
of default under the applicable mortgage; |
•
|
the holder may be
permitted to accelerate payment of the bond; and |
•
|
the
issuer may be required to redeem the bond. |
In addition, if the mortgage
securing the bonds is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), the consent of the FHA may be required before insurance proceeds would become payable.
Information Risk. Information about the financial condition of issuers of Municipal Securities may be less available than that of corporations having a class of securities registered under the SEC.
State and Federal Laws. An issuer’s obligations under its Municipal Securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. These laws may extend the time for
payment of principal or interest, or restrict the Fund’s ability to collect payments due on Municipal Securities. In addition, recent amendments to some statutes governing security interests (e.g., Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial
Code (“UCC”)) change the way in which security interests and liens securing Municipal Securities are perfected. These amendments may have an adverse impact on existing Municipal Securities (particularly issues of Municipal Securities
that do not have a corporate trustee who is responsible for filing UCC financing statements to continue the security interest or lien).
Litigation and Current
Developments. Litigation or other conditions may materially and adversely affect the power or ability of an issuer to meet its obligations for the payment of interest on and principal of its Municipal Securities.
Such litigation or conditions may from time to time have the effect of introducing uncertainties in the market for tax-exempt obligations, or may materially affect the credit risk with respect to particular bonds or notes. Adverse economic,
business, legal or political developments might affect all or a substantial portion of a Fund’s Municipal Securities in the same manner. Given the recent bankruptcy-type proceedings by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, risks associated with
municipal obligations are heightened.
New Legislation. From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for interest on tax exempt bonds, and similar proposals may be introduced
in the future. The Supreme Court has held that Congress has the constitutional authority to enact such legislation. It is not possible to determine what effect the adoption of such proposals could have on (i) the availability of Municipal Securities
for investment by the Funds, and (ii) the value of the investment portfolios of the Funds.
Limitations on the Use of
Municipal Securities. Certain Funds may invest in Municipal Securities if the Adviser determines that such Municipal Securities offer attractive yields. The Funds may invest in Municipal Securities either by
purchasing them directly or by purchasing certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing direct ownership of interest payments or principal payments, or both, on Municipal Securities, provided that, in the opinion of counsel to the
initial seller of each such certificate or instrument, any discount accruing on such certificate or instrument that is purchased at a yield not greater than the coupon rate of interest on the related Municipal Securities will to the same extent as
interest on such Municipal Securities be exempt from federal income tax and state income tax (where applicable) and not be treated as a preference item for individuals for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax. The Funds may also invest in
Municipal Securities by purchasing from banks participation interests in all or
part of specific
holdings of Municipal Securities. Such participation interests may be backed in whole or in part by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of the selling bank. The selling bank may receive a fee from a Fund in connection with the arrangement.
Each Fund will limit its investment in municipal leases to no more than 5% of its total assets.
Options and Futures Transactions
A Fund may purchase and sell
(a) exchange traded and OTC put and call options on securities, on indexes of securities and other types of instruments, and on futures contracts on securities and indexes of securities and other instruments such as interest rate futures and global
interest rate futures and (b) futures contracts on securities and other types of instruments and on indexes of securities and other types of instruments. Each of these instruments is a derivative instrument as its value derives from the underlying
asset or index.
Subject to
its investment objective and policies, a Fund may use futures contracts and options for hedging and risk management purposes and to seek to enhance portfolio performance.
Options and futures contracts
may be used to manage a Fund’s exposure to changing interest rates and/or security prices. Some options and futures strategies, including selling futures contracts and buying puts, tend to hedge a Fund’s investments against price
fluctuations. Other strategies, including buying futures contracts and buying calls, tend to increase market exposure. Options and futures contracts may be combined with each other or with forward contracts in order to adjust the risk and return
characteristics of a Fund’s overall strategy in a manner deemed appropriate by the Fund’s Adviser and consistent with the Fund’s objective and policies. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in
higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
The use of options and futures
is a highly specialized activity which involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions, and there can be no guarantee that their use will increase a Fund’s return. While
the use of these instruments by a Fund may reduce certain risks associated with owning its portfolio securities, these techniques themselves entail certain other risks. If a Fund’s Adviser applies a strategy at an inappropriate time or judges
market conditions or trends incorrectly, options and futures strategies may lower a Fund’s return. Certain strategies limit a Fund’s possibilities to realize gains, as well as its exposure to losses. A Fund could also experience losses
if the prices of its options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid secondary market. In addition, the Fund will incur transaction costs, including
trading commissions and option premiums, in connection with its futures and options transactions, and these transactions could significantly increase the Fund’s turnover rate.
Certain Funds have filed a
notice under the Commodity Exchange Act under Regulation 4.5 and are operated by a person that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not
subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act. Certain other Funds may rely on no action relief issued by the CFTC. For Funds that cannot rely on an exclusion from the definition of commodity
pool operator, or no action relief from the CFTC, the Adviser is subject to regulation as a commodity pool operator.
Purchasing Put and Call Options. By purchasing a put option, a Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the instrument underlying the option at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, a Fund pays the current market price for the
option (known as the option premium). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific securities, indexes of securities, indexes of securities prices, and futures contracts. A Fund may terminate its position in a put option
it has purchased by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. A Fund may also close out a put option position by entering into an offsetting transaction, if a liquid market exists. If the option is allowed to expire, a Fund will lose the
entire premium it paid. If a Fund exercises a put option on a security, it will sell the instrument underlying the option at the strike price. If a Fund exercises an option on an index, settlement is in cash and does not involve the actual purchase
or sale of securities. If an option is American style, it may be exercised on any day up to its expiration date. A European style option may be exercised only on its expiration date.
The buyer of a typical put
option can expect to realize a gain if the value of the underlying instrument falls substantially. However, if the price of the instrument underlying the option does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect
to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium paid, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options
are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the instrument underlying the option at the option’s strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to
participate in potential price increases of the instrument underlying the option with risk limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently
to offset the cost of the option.
Selling (Writing) Put and Call
Options on Securities. When a Fund writes a put option on a security, it takes the opposite side of the transaction from the option’s purchaser. In return for the receipt of the premium, a Fund assumes the
obligation to pay the strike price for the security underlying the option if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. A Fund may seek to terminate its position in a put option it writes before exercise by purchasing an offsetting option
in the market at its current price. If the market is not liquid for a put option a Fund has written, however, it must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes, and must continue to
post margin as discussed below. If the market value of the underlying securities does not move to a level that would make exercise of the option profitable to its holder, the option will generally expire unexercised, and the Fund will realize as
profit the premium it received.
If the price of the underlying
securities rises, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the writer will also profit, because it
should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing and holding the underlying security directly, however, because the
premium received for writing the option should offset a portion of the decline.
Writing a call option
obligates a Fund to sell or deliver the option’s underlying security in return for the strike price upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls
generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium a call writer offsets part of the effect of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the
underlying instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
When a Fund writes an exchange
traded put or call option on a security, it will be required to deposit cash or securities or a letter of credit as margin and to make mark to market payments of variation margin as the position becomes unprofitable.
Certain Funds will usually
sell covered call options or cash-secured put options on securities. A call option is covered if the writer either owns the underlying security (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of the securities exchanges) or has the right
to acquire such securities. Alternatively, a Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets (i) in an amount equal to the Fund’s obligation under the contract with respect to call options or (ii) an amount greater of the market value of the
instrument underlying the option or the strike price of the contract with respect to call options. A call option is also covered if a Fund (i) acquires a call option on the same security with a strike price equal to or lower than the strike price of
the written call or (ii) acquires a call option on the same security with a strike price higher than the strike price of the written call and segregates liquid assets in an amount equal to the difference between the strike price of the two options.
As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund foregoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the
call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the Fund writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited. The writer of an option
has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation, but may terminate its position by entering into an offsetting option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect an offsetting transaction
in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.
A put option is cash-secured if
the writer segregates cash, high-grade short-term debt obligations, or other permissible collateral equity to the exercise price. Alternatively, a put option is covered if a Fund (i) acquires a put option on the same security with a strike price
equal to or higher than the strike price of written put or (ii) acquires a put option on the same security with a strike price lower than the strike price of the written put and segregates liquid assets in the amount equal to the difference between
the strike price of the two options. When the Fund writes cash-secured put options, it bears the risk of loss if the value of the underlying stock declines below the exercise price minus the put premium. If the option is exercised,
the Fund could
incur a loss if it is required to purchase the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the market price of the stock at the time of exercise plus the put premium the Fund received when it wrote the option. While the Fund’s
potential gain in writing a cash-secured put option is limited to distributions earned on the liquid assets securing the put option plus the premium received from the purchaser of the put option, the Fund risks a loss equal to the entire exercise
price of the option minus the put premium.
Engaging in Straddles and
Spreads. In a straddle transaction, a Fund either buys a call and a put or sells a call and a put on the same security. In a spread, a Fund purchases and sells a call or a put. A Fund will sell a straddle when the
Fund’s Adviser believes the price of a security will be stable. The Fund will receive a premium on the sale of the put and the call. A spread permits a Fund to make a hedged investment that the price of a security will increase or
decline.
Options on
Indexes. Certain Funds may purchase and sell options on securities indexes and other types of indexes. Options on indexes are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of index options may be
settled by cash payments (or in some instances by a futures contract) and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities or the instruments in the index. In addition, these options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of
securities or instruments or segment of the securities’ or instruments’ market rather than price fluctuations in a single security or instrument. A Fund, in purchasing or selling index options, is subject to the risk that the value of
its portfolio may not change as much as an index because a Fund’s investments generally will not match the composition of an index. Unlike call options on securities, index options are cash settled, or settled with a futures contract in some
instances, rather than settled by delivery of the underlying index securities or instruments.
Certain Funds purchase and
sell credit options which are options on indexes of derivative instruments such as credit default swap indexes. Like other index options, credit options can be cash settled or settled with a futures contract in some instances. In addition, credit
options can also be settled in some instances by delivery of the underlying index instrument. Credit options may be used for a variety of purposes including hedging, risk management such as positioning a portfolio for anticipated volatility or
increasing income or gain to a Fund. There is no guarantee that the strategy of using options on indexes or credit options in particular will be successful.
Funds that sell (write) call
and put options on indexes are required to segregate or earmark liquid assets in the amount equal to the market value of the obligation. Alternatively, written call options on indexes may be covered if a Fund (i) acquires a call option for the same
securities indexes with a strike price equal to or lower than the strike price of the written call or (ii) acquires a call option on the same securities indexes with a strike price higher than the strike price of the written call and segregates
liquid assets in an amount equal to the difference between the strike price of the two options. Written put options on indexes may be covered if a Fund (i) acquires a put option for the same securities indexes with a strike price equal to or higher
than the strike price of the written put or (ii) acquires a put option on the same securities indexes with a strike price lower than the strike price of the written put and segregates liquid assets in the amount equal to the difference between the
strike price of the two options.
For a number of reasons, a
liquid market may not exist and thus a Fund may not be able to close out an option position that it has previously entered into. When a Fund purchases an OTC option (as defined below), it will be relying on its counterparty to perform its
obligations and the Fund may incur additional losses if the counterparty is unable to perform.
Exchange-Traded and OTC Options. All options purchased or sold by a Fund will be traded on a securities exchange or will be purchased or sold by securities dealers (“OTC options”) that meet the Fund’s creditworthiness standards. While
exchange-traded options are obligations of the Options Clearing Corporation, in the case of OTC options, a Fund relies on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option is exercised. Thus, when a Fund purchases an OTC option,
it relies on the dealer from which it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying securities. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by a Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the
transaction. Accordingly, these OTC options are subject to heightened credit risk, as well as liquidity and valuation risk depending upon the type of OTC options in which the Fund invests.
Futures Contracts. When a Fund purchases a futures contract, it agrees to purchase a specified quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified future date or, in the case of an index futures contract, to make a cash payment based on
the value of a securities index. When a Fund sells a futures contract, it agrees to sell a specified quantity of the underlying instrument at a specified future date or, in the case of an index futures contract, to receive a cash payment based on
the value of a securities index. The price at
which the purchase
and sale will take place is fixed when a Fund enters into the contract. Futures can be held until their delivery dates or the position can be (and normally is) closed out before then. There is no assurance, however, that a liquid market will exist
when the Fund wishes to close out a particular position.
When a Fund purchases a futures
contract, the value of the futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of its underlying instrument. Therefore, purchasing futures contracts will tend to increase a Fund’s exposure to positive and negative price
fluctuations in the underlying instrument, much as if it had purchased the underlying instrument directly. When a Fund sells a futures contract, by contrast, the value of its futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to the value of
the underlying instrument. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the underlying instrument had been sold.
The purchaser or seller of a
futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument unless the contract is held until the delivery date. However, when a Fund buys or sells a futures contract, it will be required to deposit “initial margin”
with a futures commission merchant (“FCM”). Initial margin deposits are typically equal to a small percentage of the contract’s value. If the value of either party’s position declines, that party will be required to make
additional “variation margin” payments equal to the change in value on a daily basis.
The party that has a gain may
be entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. A Fund may be obligated to make payments of variation margin at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. Furthermore, it may not always be possible for a Fund to close out its futures
positions. Until it closes out a futures position, a Fund will be obligated to continue to pay variation margin. Initial and variation margin payments do not constitute purchasing on margin for purposes of a Fund’s investment restrictions. In
the event of the bankruptcy of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of a Fund, the Fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the
Fund. For cash-settled futures, the Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount equal to the mark-to-market value. For physically settled futures, the Funds generally will earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the
notional value. Futures contracts will be treated as cash-settled for asset segregation purposes when a Fund and/or its Cayman subsidiary have entered into a contractual arrangement (each, a “side letter”) with a third party FCM or other
counterparty to off-set the Fund’s or Subsidiary’s exposure under the contract and, failing that, to assign its delivery obligation under the contract to the FCM or counterparty. In calculating the segregation amount, netting of similar
contracts is generally permitted. Such assets cannot be sold while the futures contract or option is outstanding unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. By setting aside assets equal only to its net obligation under cash-settled futures
or under physically-settled futures for which a Fund and/or its Cayman subsidiary have entered into a side letter, a Fund will have the ability to have exposure to such instruments to a greater extent than if a Fund were required to set aside assets
equal to the full notional value of such contracts. There is a possibility that earmarking and reservation of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or a Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or
other current obligations.
The Funds only invest in
futures contracts on securities to the extent they could invest in the underlying securities directly. Certain Funds may also invest in index futures where the underlying securities or instruments are not available for direct investments by the
Funds.
Cash Equitization. The objective where equity futures are used to “equitize” cash is to match the notional value of all futures contracts to a Fund’s cash balance. The notional values of the futures contracts and of the
cash are monitored daily. As the cash is invested in securities and/or paid out to participants in redemptions, the Adviser simultaneously adjusts the futures positions. Through such procedures, a Fund not only gains equity exposure from the use of
futures, but also benefits from increased flexibility in responding to client cash flow needs. Additionally, because it can be less expensive to trade a list of securities as a package or program trade rather than as a group of individual orders,
futures provide a means through which transaction costs can be reduced. Such non-hedging risk management techniques involve leverage, and thus present, as do all leveraged transactions, the possibility of losses as well as gains that are greater
than if these techniques involved the purchase and sale of the securities themselves rather than their synthetic derivatives.
Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts obligate the buyer to take and the seller to make delivery at a future date of a specified quantity of a financial instrument or an amount of cash based on the value of a securities or other index.
Currently, futures contracts are available on various types of securities, including but not limited to U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and bills, Eurodollar certificates of deposit and on indexes of securities. Unlike a futures contract, which requires
the parties to buy and sell a security or
make a cash
settlement payment based on changes in a financial instrument or securities or other index on an agreed date, an option on a futures contract entitles its holder to decide on or before a future date whether to enter into such a contract. If the
holder decides not to exercise its option, the holder may close out the option position by entering into an offsetting transaction or may decide to let the option expire and forfeit the premium thereon. The purchaser of an option on a futures
contract pays a premium for the option but makes no initial margin payments or daily payments of cash in the nature of “variation margin” payments to reflect the change in the value of the underlying contract as does a purchaser or
seller of a futures contract. The seller of an option on a futures contract receives the premium paid by the purchaser and may be required to pay initial margin.
Combined Positions. Certain Funds may purchase and write options in combination with futures or forward contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, a Fund may purchase a put option and
write a call option on the same underlying instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option
at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher
transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
Correlation of Price Changes. Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options and futures contracts, it is likely that the standardized options and futures contracts available will not match a Fund’s current or
anticipated investments exactly. A Fund may invest in futures and options contracts based on securities or instruments with different issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in which it typically invests, which involves a
risk that the options or futures position will not track the performance of a Fund’s other investments.
Options and futures contracts
prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match the Fund’s investments well. Options and futures contracts prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short
term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of
demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. A Fund may purchase or
sell options and futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although this
may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a Fund’s options or futures positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by
gains in other investments.
Liquidity of Options and Futures
Contracts. There is no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular option or futures contract at any particular time even if the contract is traded on an exchange. In addition, exchanges may
establish daily price fluctuation limits for options and futures contracts and may halt trading if a contract’s price moves up or down more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached or
a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible for a Fund to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt liquidation
of unfavorable positions, and could potentially require a Fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a Fund’s access to other assets held to cover its options or futures
positions could also be impaired. (See “Exchange-Traded and OTC Options” above for a discussion of the liquidity of options not traded on an exchange.)
Foreign Investment Risk. Certain Funds may buy and sell options on interest rate futures including global interest rate futures in which the reference interest rate is tied to currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Such investments are subject
to additional risks including the risks associated with foreign investment and currency risk. See “Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies)” in this SAI Part II.
Position Limits. Futures exchanges can limit the number of futures and options on futures contracts that can be held or controlled by an entity. If an adequate exemption cannot be obtained, a Fund or the Fund’s Adviser may be
required to reduce the size of its futures and options positions or may not be able to trade a certain futures or options contract in order to avoid exceeding such limits.
Asset Coverage for Futures
Contracts and Options Positions. A Fund will comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of options and futures contracts by mutual funds, and if the guidelines so require, will set aside
or earmark appropriate liquid assets in the amount prescribed. For cash settled futures contracts and options on futures contracts, a Fund will segregate an amount equal to the mark-to-market value of the obligation. For physically settled futures
contracts and options on futures contracts, a Fund will segregate an amount equal to the current notional value of the contract or underlying futures contracts, as applicable. Netting is generally permitted of similar contracts. Such assets cannot
be sold while the futures contract or option is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. As a result, there is a possibility that the reservation of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio
management or a Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The Funds may also enter into offsetting transactions on futures contracts and options on futures in accordance with guidelines established by the SEC,
similar to the transactions as described above in “Selling (Writing) Put and Call Options on Securities.”
Real Estate Investment Trusts
(“REITs”)
Certain of the Funds may
invest in equity interests or debt obligations issued by REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interest. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs,
mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling
property that has appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Similar to investment companies, REITs are not taxed on income
distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs in which a Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by a
Fund.
Investing in REITs
involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may
be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills and on cash flows, are not diversified, and are subject to default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of
failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.
REITs (especially mortgage
REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in
fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investment in such loans will gradually align themselves to fluctuate less
dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Investment in REITs involves
risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. These risks include:
•
|
limited financial
resources; |
•
|
infrequent or
limited trading; and |
•
|
more
abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. |
In addition, small capitalization
stocks, such as certain REITs, historically have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.
Recent Events Relating to the Overall Economy
The U.S. Government, the
Federal Reserve, the Treasury, the SEC, the FDIC and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken actions to address the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the recent disruption to economies and markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions
included, in part, the enactment by the United States Congress of the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,” which was signed into law on July 21, 2010 and imposed a new regulatory framework over the U.S. financial
services industry and the consumer credit markets in general, and proposed and final regulations by the SEC. Given the broad scope, sweeping nature, and relatively recent enactment of some of these regulatory measures, the potential impact they
could have on securities held by the Funds is
unknown. There can
be no assurance that these measures will not have an adverse effect on the value or marketability of securities held by the Funds. Furthermore, no assurance can be made that the U.S. Government or any U.S. regulatory body (or other authority or
regulatory body) will not continue to take further legislative or regulatory action, and the effect of such actions, if taken, cannot be known. However, current efforts by the U.S. Government to reduce the impact of regulations on the U.S. financial
services industry could lead to the repeal of certain elements of the regulatory framework.
Additionally, COVID-19 has
resulted in a global pandemic and major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted.
Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some interest rates are very low and in some cases yields are negative. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These
circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets,
industries and individual issuers, are not known. Governments and central banks, including the Federal Reserve in the U.S., have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. The
impact of these measures, and whether they will be effective to mitigate the economic and market disruption, will not be known for some time.
Derivatives
In October 2020, the SEC
adopted a final rule related to the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by registered investment companies that will rescind and withdraw the guidance of the SEC and its staff regarding asset
segregation and cover transactions. The final rule requires the Funds to trade derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations (except reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions) subject to
a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit and certain derivatives risk management program and reporting requirements. Generally, these requirements apply unless a Fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in the
final rule. Under the final rule, when a Fund trades reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions, including certain tender option bonds, it needs to aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with the reverse repurchase
agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the Fund’s asset coverage ratio or treat all such transactions as derivatives transactions.
Reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions aggregated with other indebtedness do not need to be included in the calculation of whether a Fund is a limited derivatives user, but for Funds subject to the VaR testing, reverse
repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions must be included for purposes of such testing whether treated as derivatives transactions or not. Compliance with these new requirements will be required by August 19, 2022. Following the
compliance date, these requirements may limit the ability of a Fund to use derivatives and reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as part of its investment strategies. These requirements may increase the cost of a
Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements may be
entered into with brokers, dealers or banks or other entities that meet the Adviser’s credit guidelines. A Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and securities dealers or other entities
believed by the Adviser to be creditworthy. The Adviser may consider the collateral received and any applicable guarantees in making its determination. In a repurchase agreement, a Fund buys a security from a seller that has agreed to repurchase the
same security at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The resale price normally is in excess of the purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon interest rate. This interest rate is effective for the period of time a Fund is invested in the agreement
and is not related to the coupon rate on the underlying security. A repurchase agreement may also be viewed as a fully collateralized loan of money by a Fund to the seller. The maximum maturity permitted for a non-“putable” repurchase
agreement will be (i) 95 days for a Money Market Fund for certain counterparties and 45 days for others and (ii) 190 days for any Fund that is not a Money Market Fund. The maximum notice period permitted for a “putable” or
“open” repurchase agreement (i.e., where the Fund has a right to put the repurchase agreement to the counterparty or terminate the transaction at par plus accrued interest at a specified notice period) will be (i) 95 days for a Money
Market Fund for certain counterparties and 45 days for others and (ii) 190 days for any Fund that is not a Money Market Fund. The securities which are subject to repurchase agreements, however, may have maturity dates in excess of 190 days from the
effective date of the repurchase agreement. In addition,
the maturity of a
“putable” or “open” repurchase agreement may be in excess of 190 days. A Fund will always receive securities as collateral during the term of the agreement whose market value is at least equal to 100% of the dollar amount
invested by the Fund in each agreement plus accrued interest. The repurchase agreements further authorize the Fund to demand additional collateral in the event that the dollar value of the collateral falls below 100%. A Fund will make payment for
such securities only upon physical delivery or upon evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the custodian. Repurchase agreements are considered under the 1940 Act to be loans collateralized by the underlying securities.
All of the Funds that are
permitted to invest in repurchase agreements may engage in repurchase agreement transactions that are collateralized fully as defined in Rule 5b-3(c)(1) of the 1940 Act (except that Rule 5b-3(c)(1)(iv)(C) under the 1940 Act shall not apply for the
Money Market Funds), which has the effect of enabling a Fund to look to the collateral, rather than the counterparty, for determining whether its assets are “diversified” for 1940 Act purposes. With respect to the Money Market Funds, in
accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser evaluates the creditworthiness of each counterparty. The Adviser may consider the collateral received and any applicable guarantees in making its determination. Certain Funds may, in
addition, engage in repurchase agreement transactions that are collateralized by money market instruments, debt securities, loan participations, equity securities or other securities including securities that are rated below investment grade by the
requisite NRSROs or unrated securities of comparable quality. For these types of repurchase agreement transactions, the Fund would look to the counterparty, and not the collateral, for determining such diversification.
A repurchase agreement is
subject to the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. In the event of default by the seller under a repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying securities would not be owned by the Fund, but would
only constitute collateral for the seller’s obligation to pay the repurchase price. Therefore, a Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs in connection with the disposition of the collateral. The collateral underlying repurchase agreements
may be more susceptible to claims of the seller’s creditors than would be the case with securities owned by the Fund.
Under existing guidance from
the SEC, certain Funds may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint account, along with cash of other Funds and certain other accounts. These balances may be invested in one or more repurchase agreements and/or short-term money market
instruments.
Reverse Repurchase
Agreements
In a reverse
repurchase agreement, a Fund sells a security and agrees to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed upon date and price reflecting the interest rate effective for the term of the agreement. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a reverse
repurchase agreement is considered borrowing by a Fund and, therefore, a form of leverage. Leverage may cause any gains or losses for a Fund to be magnified. The Funds will invest the proceeds of borrowings under reverse repurchase agreements. In
addition, except for liquidity purposes, a Fund will enter into a reverse repurchase agreement only when the expected return from the investment of the proceeds is greater than the expense of the transaction. A Fund will not invest the proceeds of a
reverse repurchase agreement for a period which exceeds the duration of the reverse repurchase agreement. A Fund would be required to pay interest on amounts obtained through reverse repurchase agreements, which are considered borrowings under
federal securities laws. The repurchase price is generally equal to the original sales price plus interest. Reverse repurchase agreements are usually for seven days or less and cannot be repaid prior to their expiration dates. Each Fund will earmark
and reserve Fund assets, in cash or liquid securities, in an amount at least equal to its purchase obligations under its reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the portfolio securities
transferred may decline below the price at which a Fund is obliged to purchase the securities. All forms of borrowing (including reverse repurchase agreements) are limited in the aggregate and may not exceed 33 1⁄3% of a Fund’s total assets, except as permitted by law.
Securities Lending
To generate additional income,
certain Funds may lend up to 33 1⁄3% of such Fund’s total assets pursuant to
agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by collateral equal to at least 100% of the market value plus accrued interest on the securities lent. The Funds use Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”) as their securities lending
agent. Pursuant to a Third Party Securities Lending Rider to the Custody Agreement between JPMorgan Chase Bank, Citibank and the Funds (the “Third Party Securities Lending Rider”) approved by the Board of Trustees, Citibank compensates
JPMorgan Chase Bank for certain custodial services provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank in connection with the Funds’ use of Citibank as securities lending agent.
Pursuant to the Global
Securities Lending Agency Agreement approved by the Board of Trustees between Citibank and the Trust on behalf of the applicable Funds, severally and not jointly (the “Securities Lending Agency Agreement”), collateral for loans will
consist only of cash. The Funds receive payments from the borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on the securities lent. For loans secured by cash, the Funds seek to earn interest on the investment of cash
collateral in investments permitted by the Securities Lending Agency Agreement. Under the Securities Lending Agency Agreement, cash collateral may be invested in IM Shares of JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market
Fund, and Class Agency SL Shares of the JPMorgan Securities Lending Money Market Fund.
Under the Securities Lending
Agency Agreement, Citibank marks to market the loaned securities on a daily basis. In the event the cash received from the borrower is less than 102% of the value of the loaned securities (105% for non-U.S. securities), Citibank requests additional
cash from the borrower so as to maintain a collateralization level of at least 102% of the value of the loaned securities plus accrued interest (105% for non-U.S. securities) subject to certain de minimis
amounts. Loans are subject to termination by a Fund or the borrower at any time, and are therefore not considered to be illiquid investments. The Fund does not have the right to vote proxies for securities on loans over a record date of such
proxies. However, if the Fund’s Adviser has notice of the proxy in advance of the record date, a Fund’s Adviser may terminate a loan in advance of the record date if the Fund’s Adviser determines the vote is considered material
with respect to an investment.
Securities lending involves
counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may not be returned or returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased
when a Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. The earnings on the collateral invested may not be sufficient to pay fees incurred in connection with the loan. Also, the principal value of the collateral
invested may decline and may not be sufficient to pay back the borrower for the amount of collateral posted. There are no limits on the number of borrowers a Fund may use and a Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. In
addition, loans may be made to affiliates of Citibank. Funds participating in securities lending bear the risk of loss in connection with investments of the cash collateral received from the borrowers, which do not trigger additional collateral
requirements from the borrower.
To the extent that the value or
return of a Fund’s investments of the cash collateral declines below the amount owed to a borrower, the Fund may incur losses that exceed the amount it earned on lending the security. In situations where the Adviser does not believe that it is
prudent to sell the cash collateral investments in the market, a Fund may borrow money to repay the borrower the amount of cash collateral owed to the borrower upon return of the loaned securities. This will result in financial leverage, which may
cause the Fund to be more volatile because financial leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
Short Selling
In short selling transactions,
a Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. To complete the transaction, a Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. A Fund is obligated to replace the security
borrowed by purchasing it subsequently at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by a Fund, which may result in a loss or gain, respectively. Unlike
taking a long position in a security by purchasing the security, where potential losses are limited to the purchase price, short sales have no cap on maximum losses, and gains are limited to the price of the security at the time of the short
sale.
Short sales of
forward commitments and derivatives do not involve borrowing a security. These types of short sales may include futures, options, contracts for differences, forward contracts on financial instruments and options such as contracts, credit linked
instruments, and swap contracts.
A Fund may not always be able
to borrow a security it wants to sell short. A Fund also may be unable to close out an established short position at an acceptable price and may have to sell long positions at disadvantageous times to cover its short positions. The value of your
investment in a Fund will fluctuate in response to movements in the market. Fund performance also will depend on the effectiveness of the Adviser’s research and the management team’s investment decisions. The SEC and financial industry
regulatory authorities in other countries may impose prohibitions, restrictions or other regulatory requirements on short sales, which could inhibit the ability of the Adviser to sell securities short on behalf of the Fund. For example, in September
2008, in response to spreading turmoil in the financial markets,
the SEC
temporarily banned short selling in the stocks of numerous financial services companies, and also promulgated new disclosure requirements with respect to short positions held by investment managers. The SEC’s temporary ban on short selling of
such stocks has since expired, but should similar restrictions and/or additional disclosure requirements be promulgated, especially if market turmoil occurs, a Fund may be forced to cover short positions more quickly than otherwise intended and may
suffer losses as a result. Such restrictions may also adversely affect the ability of a Fund (especially if a Fund utilizes short selling as a significant portion of its investment strategy) to execute its investment strategies generally.
Short sales also involve other
costs. A Fund must repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest that accrues while the loan is outstanding. To borrow the security, a Fund may be required to pay a premium. A Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting
short sales. The amount of any ultimate gain for a Fund resulting from a short sale will be decreased and the amount of any ultimate loss will be increased by the amount of premiums, interest or expenses a Fund may be required to pay in connection
with the short sale. Until a Fund closes the short position, it will earmark and reserve Fund assets, in cash or liquid securities, in amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities sold short unless the Fund holds the
securities sold short. Realized gains from short sales are typically treated as short-term gains/losses.
Certain of a Fund’s
service providers may have agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to limit the Fund’s operating expenses in the amount and for the time period specified in the Fund’s prospectuses. The expense limitation does not include certain
expenses including, to the extent indicated in the Fund’s prospectuses, dividend and interest expense on short sales. In calculating the interest expense on short sales for purposes of this exclusion, the Fund will recognize all economic
elements of interest costs, including premium and discount adjustments.
Short-Term Funding Agreements
Short-term funding agreements
issued by insurance companies are sometimes referred to as Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”), while those issued by banks are referred to as Bank Investment Contracts (“BICs”). Pursuant to such agreements, a Fund makes
cash contributions to a deposit account at a bank or insurance company. The bank or insurance company then credits to the Fund on a monthly basis guaranteed interest at either a fixed, variable or floating rate. These contracts are general
obligations of the issuing bank or insurance company (although they may be the obligations of an insurance company separate account) and are paid from the general assets of the issuing entity.
Generally, there is no active
secondary market in short-term funding agreements. Therefore, short-term funding agreements may be considered by a Fund to be illiquid investments.
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies
A Fund may invest in stocks,
warrants, rights, debt and other securities of special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) or similar special purpose entities in a private placement transaction or as part of a public offering. A SPAC is a publicly traded company
that raises investment capital for the purpose of acquiring or merging with an existing company. The shares of a SPAC are typically issued in “units.” Units include one share of common stock and one right or warrant (or partial right or
warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional shares of common stock. At a specified time, the rights and warrants may be separated from the common stock at the election of the holder, after which each security typically is freely tradeable.
An alternative to private companies making an initial public offering (“IPO”) can be combining with a SPAC, which permits the private company to go public by taking the SPAC's place on an exchange. Until an acquisition or merger is
completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets, less a portion retained to cover expenses, in U.S. government securities, money market securities and cash and does not typically pay dividends in respect of its common stock. In addition, a Fund may
elect not to participate in a proposed SPAC transaction or may be required to divest its interests in the SPAC due to regulatory or other considerations. As a result, it is possible that an investment in a SPAC may lose value.
If an acquisition or merger
that meets the requirements of the SPAC is not completed within a pre-established period of time (typically, two years), the funds invested in the SPAC (less any permitted expenses and any losses experienced by the SPAC) are returned to its
shareholders. Any warrants or other rights with respect to a SPAC held by a Fund may expire worthless or may be repurchased or retired by the SPAC.
Because SPACs and similar
entities are blank check companies and do not have any operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the SPAC’s management to identify a merger
target and complete an acquisition. Some
SPACs pursue
acquisitions only within certain industries or regions, which may increase the volatility of their prices and the risks associated with these investments. In addition, the securities issued by a SPAC may be classified as illiquid and/or be subject
to restrictions on resale, which may be for an extended time, and may only be traded in the over-the-counter market. If there is no market for the shares of the SPAC or only a thinly traded market for shares or interests in the SPAC develops, a Fund
may not be able to sell its interest in a SPAC or to sell its interest only at a price below what the Fund believes is the SPAC interest's value. If not subject to a restriction on resale, a Fund may sell its investments in a SPAC at any time,
including before, at or after the time of an acquisition or merger.
An investment in a SPAC may be
diluted by additional, later offerings of securities by the SPAC or by other investors exercising existing rights to purchase securities of the SPAC. Generally, SPACs provide the opportunity for common shareholders to have some or all of their
shares of common stock redeemed by the SPAC at or around the time of a proposed acquisition or merger. An investment in a SPAC is subject to the risks that any proposed acquisition or merger may not obtain the requisite approval of SPAC shareholders
or that an acquisition or merger may prove unsuccessful and lose value. An investment in a SPAC is also subject to the risk that a significant portion of the funds raised by the SPAC may be expended during the search for a target acquisition or
merger. The values of investments in SPACs may be highly volatile and may depreciate over time.
In addition, investments in
SPACs may be subject to the risks of investing in an IPO. These risks include risks associated with companies that have little or no operating history as public companies, unseasoned trading and small number of shares available for trading and
limited information about the issuer. Additionally, investments in SPACs may be subject to the risks inherent in those sectors of the market where these new issuers operate. The market for IPO issuers may be volatile, and share prices of
newly-public companies have fluctuated significantly over short periods of time. Although some IPOs may produce high, double-digit returns, such returns are highly unusual and may not be sustainable.
Structured Investments
A structured investment is a
security having a return tied to an underlying index or other security or asset class. Structured investments generally are individually negotiated agreements and may be traded over-the-counter. Structured investments are organized and operated to
restructure the investment characteristics of the underlying security. This restructuring involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, or specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans) and the issuance
by that entity or one or more classes of securities (“structured securities”) backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued
structured securities to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of such payments made with respect to structured securities is
dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because structured securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. Investments in
structured securities are generally of a class of structured securities that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks
than unsubordinated structured securities. Structured instruments include structured notes. In addition to the risks applicable to investments in structured investments and debt securities in general, structured notes bear the risk that the issuer
may not be required to pay interest on the structured note if the index rate rises above or falls below a certain level. Structured securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for
structured securities. Investments in government and government-related restructured debt instruments are subject to special risks, including the inability or unwillingness to repay principal and interest, requests to reschedule or restructure
outstanding debt and requests to extend additional loan amounts. Structured investments include a wide variety of instruments including, without limitation, CDOs, credit linked notes, and participation notes and participatory notes. Additional
information including risk information is included under Asset-Backed Securities.
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for the
definition of “investment company” provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
Credit Linked Notes. Certain Funds may invest in structured instruments known as credit linked securities or credit linked notes (“CLNs”). CLNs are typically issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle (the “CLN
trust”) that, in turn, invests in a derivative or basket of derivatives instruments, such as
credit default
swaps, interest rate swaps and/or other securities, in order to provide exposure to certain high yield, sovereign debt, emerging markets, or other fixed income markets. Generally, investments in CLNs represent the right to receive periodic income
payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the CLN. However, these payments are conditioned on the CLN trust’s receipt of payments from, and the CLN trust’s potential obligations, to the
counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the CLN trust invests. For example, the CLN trust may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the CLN trust would receive a stream of payments over the term of the
swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default were to occur, the stream of payments may stop and the CLN trust would be obligated to pay the
counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and principal that a Fund would receive as an investor in the CLN trust.
Certain Funds may enter into
CLNs structured as “First-to-Default” CLNs. In a First-to-Default CLN, the CLN trust enters into a credit default swap on a portfolio of a specified number of individual securities pursuant to which the CLN trust sells protection to a
counterparty. The CLN trust uses the proceeds of issuing investments in the CLN trust to purchase securities, which are selected by the counterparty and the total return of which is paid to the counterparty. Upon the occurrence of a default or
credit event involving any one of the individual securities, the credit default swaps terminate and the Fund’s investment in the CLN trust is redeemed for an amount equal to “par” minus the amount paid to the counterparty under the
credit default swap.
Certain Funds may also enter
in CLNs to gain access to sovereign debt and securities in emerging market particularly in markets where the Fund is not able to purchase securities directly due to domicile restrictions or tax restrictions or tariffs. In such an instance, the
issuer of the CLN may purchase the reference security directly and/or gain exposure through a credit default swap or other derivative.
A Fund’s investments in
CLNs is subject to the risks associated with the underlying reference obligations and derivative instruments, including, among others, credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and management
risk.
Equity-Linked Notes. Certain funds may invest in structured investments known as equity-linked notes (“ELNs”). ELNs are hybrid derivative-type instruments that are designed to combine the characteristics of one or more reference
securities (e.g., a single stock, a stock index or a basket of stocks (“underlying securities”)) and a related equity derivative. ELNs are structured as notes that are issued by counterparties, including banks, broker-dealers or their
affiliates, and are designed to offer a return linked to the underlying securities within the ELN. ELNs can provide a Fund with an efficient investment tool that may be less expensive than investing directly in the underlying securities and the
related equity derivative.
Generally, when purchasing an
ELN, a Fund pays the counterparty the current value of the underlying securities plus a commission. Upon the maturity of the note, the Fund generally receives the par value of the note plus a return based on the appreciation of the underlying
securities. If the underlying securities have depreciated in value or if their price fluctuates outside of a preset range, depending on the type of ELN in which the Fund invested, the Fund may receive only the principal amount of the note, or may
lose the principal invested in the ELN entirely.
ELNs are available with an
assortment of features, such as periodic coupon payments (e.g., monthly, quarterly or semiannually), varied participation rates (the rate at which a Fund participates in the appreciation of the underlying securities), limitations on the appreciation
potential of the underlying securities by a maximum payment or call right, and different protection levels on a Fund’s principal investment. In addition, when the underlying securities are foreign securities or indices, an ELN may be priced
with or without currency exposure. A Fund may engage in all types of ELNs, including those that: (1) provide for protection of the Fund’s principal in exchange for limited participation in the appreciation of the underlying securities, and (2)
do not provide for such protection and subject the Fund to the risk of loss of the Fund’s principal investment.
Investing in ELNs may be more
costly to a Fund than if the Fund had invested in the underlying instruments directly. Investments in ELNs often have risks similar to the underlying instruments, which include market risk and, as applicable, foreign securities and currency risk. In
addition, since ELNs are in note form, ELNs are also subject to certain debt securities risks, such as credit or counterparty risk. Should the prices of the underlying instruments move in an unexpected manner, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of an investment in an ELN, and may realize losses, which could be significant and
could include the
entire principal investment. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. A lack of liquidity may also cause the value of the ELN to decline. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior
that does not correlate with the underlying securities.
ELN investments are subject to
the risk that issuers and/or counterparties will fail to make payments when due or default completely. Prices of these investments may be adversely affected if any of the issuers or counterparties it is invested in are subject to an actual or
perceived deterioration in their credit quality.
If the ELN is held to maturity,
the issuer would pay to the purchaser the underlying instrument’s value at maturity with any necessary adjustments. The holder of an ELN that is linked to a particular underlying security or instrument may be entitled to receive dividends paid
in connection with that underlying equity security, but typically does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying equity security. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a trading market for an ELN
or that the trading price of the ELN will equal the underlying value of the instruments that it seeks to replicate. Unlike a direct investment in equity securities, ELNs typically involve a term or expiration date, potentially increasing the
Fund’s turnover rate, transaction costs and tax liability.
Participation Notes and
Participatory Notes. Certain Funds may invest in instruments that have similar economic characteristics to equity securities, such as participation notes (also known as participatory notes (“P-notes”))
or other structured instruments that may be developed from time to time (“structured instruments”). Structured instruments are notes that are issued by banks, broker-dealers or their affiliates and are designed to offer a return linked
to a particular underlying equity or market.
If the structured instrument
were held to maturity, the issuer would pay to the purchaser the underlying instrument’s value at maturity with any necessary adjustments. The holder of a structured instrument that is linked to a particular underlying security or instrument
may be entitled to receive dividends paid in connection with that underlying security or instrument, but typically does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. Structured instruments have
transaction costs. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a trading market for a structured instrument or that the trading price of a structured instrument will equal the underlying value of the security, instrument or market that
it seeks to replicate. Unlike a direct investment in equity securities, structured instruments typically involve a term or expiration date, potentially increasing the Fund’s turnover rate, transaction costs and tax liability.
Due to transfer restrictions,
the secondary markets on which a structured instrument is traded may be less liquid than the market for other securities, or may be completely illiquid, which may expose the Fund to risks of mispricing or improper valuation. Structured instruments
typically constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks, broker-dealers or their relevant affiliates that issue them, which subjects the Fund to counterparty risk (and this risk may be amplified if the Fund purchases structured
instruments from only a small number of issuers). Structured instruments also have the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities, instruments or markets that they seek to replicate.
Swaps and Related Swap Products
Swap transactions may include,
but are not limited to, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, forward rate agreements, contracts for differences, total return swaps, index swaps, basket swaps, specific security swaps, fixed income sectors swaps,
commodity swaps, asset-backed swaps (ABX), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and indexes of CMBS (CMBX), credit default swaps, interest rate caps, price lock swaps, floors and collars and swaptions (collectively defined as “swap
transactions”).
A
Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objective and policies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining that return
or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in cash markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, to protect against any increase in the price of securities a Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to
certain markets in the most economical way possible.
Swap agreements are two-party
contracts entered into primarily by institutional counterparties for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years. They may be bilaterally negotiated between the two parties (referred to as OTC swaps) or traded over an exchange. In a standard
swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) that would be earned or realized on
specified notional
investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated by reference to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount
invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or commodity, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The purchaser of an interest rate cap or floor, upon payment of a fee, has the right
to receive payments (and the seller of the cap or floor is obligated to make payments) to the extent a specified interest rate exceeds (in the case of a cap) or is less than (in the case of a floor) a specified level over a specified period of time
or at specified dates. The purchaser of an interest rate collar, upon payment of a fee, has the right to receive payments (and the seller of the collar is obligated to make payments) to the extent that a specified interest rate falls outside an
agreed upon range over a specified period of time or at specified dates. The purchaser of an option on an interest rate swap, also known as a “swaption,” upon payment of a fee (either at the time of purchase or in the form of higher
payments or lower receipts within an interest rate swap transaction) has the right, but not the obligation, to initiate a new swap transaction of a pre-specified notional amount with pre-specified terms with the seller of the swaption as the
counterparty.
The
“notional amount” of a swap transaction is the agreed upon basis for calculating the payments that the parties have agreed to exchange. For example, one swap counterparty may agree to pay a floating rate of interest (e.g., 3 month LIBOR)
calculated based on a $10 million notional amount on a quarterly basis in exchange for receipt of payments calculated based on the same notional amount and a fixed rate of interest on a semi-annual basis. In the event a Fund is obligated to make
payments more frequently than it receives payments from the other party, it will incur incremental credit exposure to that swap counterparty. This risk may be mitigated somewhat by the use of swap agreements which call for a net payment to be made
by the party with the larger payment obligation when the obligations of the parties fall due on the same date. Under most swap agreements entered into by a Fund, payments by the parties will be exchanged on a “net basis,” and a Fund will
receive or pay, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments.
The amount of a Fund’s
potential gain or loss on any swap transaction is not subject to any fixed limit. Nor is there any fixed limit on a Fund’s potential loss if it sells a cap or collar. If a Fund buys a cap, floor or collar, however, the Fund’s potential
loss is limited to the amount of the fee that it has paid. When measured against the initial amount of cash required to initiate the transaction, which is typically zero in the case of most conventional swap transactions, swaps, caps, floors and
collars tend to be more volatile than many other types of instruments.
The use of swap transactions,
caps, floors and collars involves investment techniques and risks that are different from those associated with portfolio security transactions. If a Fund’s Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates, and other
applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be less favorable than if these techniques had not been used. These instruments are typically not traded on exchanges. Accordingly, there is a risk that the other party to certain of
these instruments will not perform its obligations to a Fund or that a Fund may be unable to enter into offsetting positions to terminate its exposure or liquidate its position under certain of these instruments when it wishes to do so. Such
occurrences could result in losses to a Fund. A Fund’s Adviser will consider such risks and will enter into swap and other derivatives transactions only when it believes that the risks are not unreasonable.
A Fund will earmark and reserve
Fund assets, in cash or liquid securities, in an amount sufficient at all times to cover its current obligations under its swap transactions, caps, floors and collars. If a Fund enters into a swap agreement on a net basis, it will earmark and
reserve assets with a daily value at least equal to the excess, if any, of a Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap agreement over the accrued amount a Fund is entitled to receive under the agreement. If a Fund enters into a swap agreement
on other than a net basis, or sells a cap, floor or collar, it will earmark and reserve assets with a daily value at least equal to the full amount of a Fund’s accrued obligations under the agreement. A Fund will not enter into any swap
transaction, cap, floor, or collar, unless the counterparty to the transaction is deemed creditworthy by the Fund’s Adviser. If a counterparty defaults, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the
transaction. The swap markets in which many types of swap transactions are traded have grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap
documentation. As a result, the markets for certain types of swaps (e.g., interest rate swaps) have become relatively liquid. The markets for some types of caps, floors and collars are less liquid.
The liquidity of swap
transactions, caps, floors and collars will be as set forth in guidelines established by a Fund’s Adviser and approved by the Trustees which are based on various factors, including: (1) the availability of dealer quotations and the estimated
transaction volume for the instrument, (2) the number of dealers and end users for the instrument in the marketplace, (3) the level of market making by dealers in
the type of
instrument, (4) the nature of the instrument (including any right of a party to terminate it on demand) and (5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to assign or offset a Fund’s rights and obligations relating to the
instrument). Such determination will govern whether the instrument will be deemed within the applicable liquidity restriction on investments in securities that are not readily marketable.
During the term of a swap,
cap, floor or collar, changes in the value of the instrument are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market to reflect the market value of the instrument. When the instrument is terminated, a Fund will record a realized gain or
loss equal to the difference, if any, between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and a Fund’s basis in the contract.
The federal income tax treatment
with respect to swap transactions, caps, floors, and collars may impose limitations on the extent to which a Fund may engage in such transactions.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act,
certain swaps that were historically traded OTC must now be traded on an exchange or facility regulated by the CFTC and/or centrally cleared (central clearing interposes a central clearing house to each participant’s swap). Exchange trading
and central clearing are intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity and transparency, but they do not make swap transactions risk-free. Moving trading to an exchange-type system may increase market transparency and liquidity
but may require Funds to incur increased expenses to access the same types of cleared and uncleared swaps. Moreover, depending on the size of a Fund and other factors, the margin required under the clearinghouse rules and by a clearing member may be
in excess of the collateral required to be posted by the Fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. But applicable regulators have also adopted rules imposing margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps, which
may result in a Fund and its counterparties posting higher margin amounts for uncleared swaps as well. Recently adopted rules also require centralized reporting of detailed information about many types of cleared and uncleared swaps. Swaps data
reporting may result in greater market transparency, but may subject a Fund to additional administrative burdens, and the safeguards established to protect trader anonymity may not function as expected. Implementing these new exchange trading,
central clearing, margin and data reporting regulations may increase Fund’s cost of hedging risk and, as a result, may affect returns to Fund investors.
Credit Default Swaps. As described above, swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In the case of a credit default swap
(“CDS”), the contract gives one party (the buyer) the right to recoup the economic value of a decline in the value of debt securities of the reference issuer if the credit event (a downgrade or default) occurs. This value is obtained by
delivering a debt security of the reference issuer to the party in return for a previously agreed payment from the other party (frequently, the par value of the debt security). CDS include credit default swaps, which are contracts on individual
securities, and credit default swap indices (“CDX”), which are contracts on baskets or indices of securities.
Credit default swaps may
require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments (receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation. In cases where a Fund is a seller of a CDS contract including a CDX contract,
the Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets equal the notional amount of the contract. Furthermore, a Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets to cover any accrued payment obligations when it is the buyer of a CDS including CDX. In
calculating the amount to be segregated for this purpose, the Fund is not considered to have an accrued payment obligation when it is the buyer of a CDS including a CDX when the contract is in a gain position as no additional amounts are owed to the
counterparty. In cases where a Fund is a buyer of a CDS contract including a CDX contract, the Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets equal to the mark-to-market value when the contract is in a loss position.
If a Fund is a seller of
protection under a CDS contract, the Fund would be required to pay the par (or other agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or
foreign corporate issuer, with respect to such debt obligations. In return, a Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs,
a Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the seller, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
If a Fund is a buyer of
protection under a CDS contract, the Fund would have the right to deliver a referenced debt obligation and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event
(such as a downgrade in credit rating) by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporation, with respect to its debt obligations. In return, the
Fund would pay the
counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the counterparty would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the
Fund.
The use of CDSs,
like all swap agreements, is subject to certain risks. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap would likely decline. Moreover, there is no guarantee that a Fund could eliminate its exposure under an outstanding
swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party. In addition to general market risks, CDSs involve liquidity, credit and counterparty risks. The recent increase in corporate defaults further raises these
liquidity and credit risks, increasing the possibility that sellers will not have sufficient funds to make payments. As unregulated instruments, CDSs are difficult to value and are therefore susceptible to liquidity and credit risks. Counterparty
risks also stem from the lack of regulation of CDSs. Collateral posting requirements are individually negotiated between counterparties and there is no regulatory requirement concerning the amount of collateral that a counterparty must post to
secure its obligations under a CDS. Because they are unregulated, there is no requirement that parties to a contract be informed in advance when a CDS is sold. As a result, investors may have difficulty identifying the party responsible for payment
of their claims.
If a
counterparty’s credit becomes significantly impaired, multiple requests for collateral posting in a short period of time could increase the risk that the Fund may not receive adequate collateral. There is no readily available market for
trading out of CDS contracts. In order to eliminate a position it has taken in a CDS, the Fund must terminate the existing CDS contract or enter into an offsetting trade. The Fund may only exit its obligations under a CDS contract by terminating the
contract and paying applicable breakage fees, which could result in additional losses to the Fund. Furthermore, the cost of entering into an offsetting CDS position could cause the Fund to incur losses.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act,
certain CDS indices are subject to mandatory central cleaning and exchange trading, which may reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to other credit default swap or CDS index transactions.
Synthetic Variable Rate Instruments
Synthetic variable rate
instruments generally involve the deposit of a long-term tax exempt bond in a custody or trust arrangement and the creation of a mechanism to adjust the long-term interest rate on the bond to a variable short-term rate and a right (subject to
certain conditions) on the part of the purchaser to tender it periodically to a third party at par. A Fund’s Adviser reviews the structure of synthetic variable rate instruments to identify credit and liquidity risks (including the conditions
under which the right to tender the instrument would no longer be available) and will monitor those risks. In the event that the right to tender the instrument is no longer available, the risk to the Fund will be that of holding the long-term bond.
In the case of some types of instruments credit enhancement is not provided, and if certain events occur, which may include (a) default in the payment of principal or interest on the underlying bond, (b) downgrading of the bond below investment
grade or (c) a loss of the bond’s tax exempt status, then the put will terminate and the risk to the Fund will be that of holding a long-term bond.
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for the
definition of “investment company” provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
Treasury Receipts
A Fund may purchase interests
in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. Treasury obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. Treasury notes and U.S. Treasury bonds into a special account at a custodian
bank. Receipts include Treasury Receipts (“TRs”), Treasury Investment Growth Receipts (“TIGRs”), and Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities (“CATS”). Receipts in which an entity other than the government
separates the interest and principal components are not considered government securities unless such securities are issued through the Treasury Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”) program.
Trust
Preferred Securities
Certain Funds may purchase
trust preferred securities, also known as “trust preferreds,” which are preferred stocks issued by a special purpose trust subsidiary backed by subordinated debt of the corporate parent. An issuer creates trust preferred securities by
creating a trust and issuing debt to the trust. The trust in turn issues trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities are hybrid securities with characteristics of both subordinated debt and preferred stock. Such characteristics include
long maturities (typically 30 years or more), early redemption by the issuer, periodic fixed or variable interest payments, and maturities at face value. In addition, trust preferred securities issued by a bank holding company may allow deferral of
interest payments for up to 5 years. Holders of trust preferred securities have limited voting rights to control the activities of the trust and no voting rights with respect to the parent company.
U.S. Government Obligations
U.S. government obligations may
include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, including Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which are backed as to principal and interest payments by the full faith and credit of the U.S., and separately traded principal and interest
component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the Federal book-entry system known as STRIPS and Coupon Under Book Entry Safekeeping (“CUBES”). The Funds may also invest in TIPS. U.S. government obligations are subject
to market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk.
The principal and interest
components of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities of longer than ten years are eligible to be traded independently under the STRIPS program. Under the STRIPS program, the principal and interest components are separately issued by the U.S.
Treasury at the request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts separately. The interest component of STRIPS may be more volatile than that of U.S. Treasury bills with comparable maturities.
Other obligations include
those issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, GSEs or instrumentalities. These obligations may or may not be backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Securities which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
include obligations of the Government National Mortgage Association, the Farmers Home Administration, and the Export-Import Bank. In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S., the Funds must look principally to the
federal agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. Securities in which the Funds may
invest that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. include, but are not limited to: (i) obligations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Home Loan Banks and the U.S. Postal Service, each of which has the right to borrow
from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations; (ii) securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which are supported only by the credit of such securities, but for which the Secretary of the Treasury has discretionary authority to purchase
limited amounts of the agency’s obligations; and (iii) obligations of the Federal Farm Credit System and the Student Loan Marketing Association, each of whose obligations may be satisfied only by the individual credits of the issuing
agency.
The total public
debt of the United States and other countries around the globe as a percent of gross domestic product has grown rapidly since the beginning of the 2008 financial downturn and has accelerated in connection with the U.S. government's response to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt level may increase market
pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt cost higher and cause a country to sell additional debt, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government will not be able to make
principal or interest payments when they are due. Unsustainable debt levels can cause devaluations of currency, prevent a government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns, and contribute to market
volatility. In addition, the high and rising national debt may adversely impact the U.S. economy and securities in which the Fund may invest. From time to time, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. government to increase the
statutory debt ceiling could: increase the risk that the U.S. government may default on payments on certain U.S. government securities; cause the credit rating of the U.S. government to be downgraded or increase volatility in both stock and bond
markets; result in higher interest rates; reduce prices of U.S. Treasury securities; and/or increase the costs of certain kinds of debt.
In the past, U.S. sovereign
credit has experienced downgrades and there can be no guarantee that it will not experience further downgrades in the future by rating agencies. The market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
may be adversely affected by a rating agency’s decision to downgrade the sovereign credit rating of the United States.
When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities
and Forward Commitments
Securities may be purchased on
a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. For example, delivery of and payment for these securities can take place a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The purchase price and the interest rate payable, if any, on the securities
are fixed on the purchase commitment date or at the time the settlement date is fixed. The value of such securities is subject to market fluctuation, and for money market instruments and other fixed income securities, no interest accrues to a Fund
until settlement takes place. At the time a Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record the transaction, reflect the value each day of such securities in determining its NAV and, if
applicable, calculate the maturity for the purposes of average maturity from that date. At the time of settlement, a when-issued security may be valued at less than the purchase price. To facilitate such acquisitions, each Fund will earmark and
reserve Fund assets, in cash or liquid securities, in an amount at least equal to such commitments. On delivery dates for such transactions, each Fund will meet its obligations from maturities or sales of the securities earmarked and reserved for
such purpose and/or from cash flow. If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition, it could, as with the disposition of any other portfolio obligation, incur a gain or loss due to market
fluctuation. Also, a Fund may be disadvantaged if the other party to the transaction defaults.
Forward Commitments. Securities may be purchased for delivery at a future date, which may increase their overall investment exposure and involves a risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to the settlement date. In order
to invest a Fund’s assets immediately, while awaiting delivery of securities purchased on a forward commitment basis, short-term obligations that offer same-day settlement and earnings will normally be purchased. When a Fund makes a commitment
to purchase a security on a forward commitment basis, cash or liquid securities equal to the amount of such Fund’s commitments will be reserved for payment of the commitment. For the purpose of determining the adequacy of the securities
reserved for payment of commitments, the reserved securities will be valued at market value. If the market value of such securities declines, additional cash, cash equivalents or highly liquid securities will be reserved for payment of the
commitment so that the value of the Fund’s assets reserved for payment of the commitments will equal the amount of such commitments purchased by the respective Fund.
Purchases of securities on a
forward commitment basis may involve more risk than other types of purchases. Securities purchased on a forward commitment basis and the securities held in the respective Fund’s portfolio are subject to changes in value based upon the
public’s perception of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can involve the risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place
may actually be higher or lower than those obtained in the transaction itself. On the settlement date of the forward commitment transaction, the respective Fund will meet its obligations from then-available cash flow, sale of securities reserved for
payment of the commitment, sale of other securities or, although it would not normally expect to do so, from sale of the forward commitment securities themselves (which may have a value greater or lesser than such Fund’s payment obligations).
The sale of securities to meet such obligations may result in the realization of capital gains or losses. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can also involve the risk of default by the other party on its obligation, delaying or
preventing the Fund from recovering the collateral or completing the transaction.
To the extent a Fund engages in
forward commitment transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities consistent with its investment objective and policies and not for the purpose of investment leverage.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING FUND INVESTMENT
PRACTICES
Investments in the Asia Pacific
Region
The economies in
the Asia Pacific region are in all stages of economic development and may be intertwined. The small size of securities markets and the low trading volume in some countries in the Asia Pacific region may lead to a lack of liquidity. The share prices
of companies in the region tend to be volatile and there is a significant possibility of loss. Many of the countries in the region are developing, both politically and economically, and as a result companies in the region may be subject to risks
like
nationalization or
other forms of government interference, and/or may be heavily reliant on only a few industries or commodities. Investments in the region may also be subject to currency risks, such as restrictions on the flow of money in and out of the country,
extreme volatility relative to the U.S. dollar, and devaluation, all of which could decrease the value of a Fund.
Investments in the European Market
Some of the Funds may invest in
securities in the European Market. A Fund’s performance will be affected by political, social and economic conditions in Europe, such as growth of the economic output (the gross national product), the rate of inflation, the rate at which
capital is reinvested into European economies, the success of governmental actions to reduce budget deficits, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries and interest and monetary exchange rates between European countries. European financial
markets may experience volatility due to concerns about high government debt levels, credit rating downgrades, rising unemployment, the future of the euro as a common currency, possible restructuring of government debt and other government measures
responding to those concerns, and fiscal and monetary controls imposed on member countries of the European Union. The risk of investing in Europe may be heightened due to steps taken by the United Kingdom to exit the European Union. On January 31,
2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union and entered a transition period, which ended on December 31, 2020. On December 30, 2020, the European Union and the United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
(“TCA”), an agreement on the terms governing certain aspects of the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s relationship following the end of the transition period. Notwithstanding the TCA, following the transition period,
there is likely to be considerable uncertainty as to the United Kingdom’s post transition framework. The impact on the United Kingdom and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in increased volatility
and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, impacts on arrangements for trading and on other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements (whether economic, tax, fiscal, legal, regulatory or otherwise), and in potentially lower growth for companies in
the United Kingdom, Europe and globally, which could have an adverse effect on the value of a Fund’s investments. In addition, if one or more other countries were to exit the European Union or abandon the use of the euro as a currency, the
value of investments tied to those countries or the euro could decline significantly and unpredictably.
Investments in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
is currently seeking bankruptcy-like protections from debt and unfunded pension obligations. Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring petition was filed by Puerto Rico’s financial oversight board in the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico on May
3, 2017, and was made under a U.S. Congressional rescue law known as the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”). In addition, Hurricane Maria caused significant damage to Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria and
severe weather events that may occur in the future could have significant and long-lasting impacts on Puerto Rico’s economy.
The recent spread of COVID-19
and the related governmental and public responses have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on Puerto Rico’s economy. Preventative or protective actions that governments have taken, and may continue to take, as a result of the
pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, periods of business disruption and reduced or disrupted operations, which could have long-term negative economic effects on Puerto Rico’s economy and Puerto Rico and local government
budgets. The full effects of the pandemic and related responses are not yet known and will emerge over time.
A Fund’s investments in
municipal securities may be affected by political and economic developments within the applicable municipality and by the financial condition of the municipality. Certain of the issuers in which a Fund may invest have recently experienced, or may
experience, significant financial difficulties. For example, Puerto Rico, in particular, has been experiencing significant financial difficulties and has entered bankruptcy-like proceedings. A default by issuers of Puerto Rico municipal securities
on their obligations under securities held by a Fund may adversely affect the Fund and cause the Fund to lose the value of its investment in such securities.
An insolvent municipality may
take steps to reorganize its debt, which might include extending debt maturities, reducing the amount of principal or interest, refinancing the debt or taking other measures that may significantly affect the rights of creditors and the value of the
securities issued by the municipality and the value of a Fund’s investments in those securities. Pursuant to Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, certain municipalities that meet specific conditions may be provided protection from creditors
while they develop and negotiate plans for reorganizing their debts. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides that
individual U.S.
states are not permitted to pass their own laws purporting to bind non-consenting creditors to a restructuring of a municipality’s indebtedness, and thus all such restructurings must be pursuant to Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Municipal bankruptcies are
relatively rare, and certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governing such bankruptcies are unclear and remain untested. Although Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory, neither Puerto Rico nor its subdivisions or agencies are eligible to file
under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in order to seek protection from creditors or restructure their debt. In June 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Puerto Rico legislation that would have allowed certain Puerto Rico public corporations to seek
protection from creditors and to restructure their debt was unconstitutional. In the same month, the U.S. Congress passed the PROMESA, which established a federally-appointed fiscal oversight board (“Oversight Board”) to oversee Puerto
Rico’s financial operations and possible debt restructuring. On May 3, 2017, the Oversight Board filed a debt restructuring petition in the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico to seek bankruptcy-like protections from, at the time of the filing,
approximately $74 billion in debt and approximately $48 billion in unfunded pension obligations. In addition to the debt restructuring petition filed on behalf of Puerto Rico, in May 2017, the Oversight Board separately filed debt restructuring
petitions for certain Puerto Rico instrumentalities, including the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority, Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”), Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority and Employee
Retirement System. On February 4, 2019, the United District Court for the District of Puerto Rico approved a plan to restructure $17.6 billion of COFINA issued debt. There can be no assurances that these debt restructuring efforts will be effective.
As of June 1, 2020, the mediation process and certain litigation is ongoing with respect to certain municipal securities issued by Puerto Rico and its political subdivisions, instrumentalities and authorities. It is not presently possible to predict
the results of this mediation and litigation, but such outcomes will have a significant impact on bondholders of those municipal securities. Further legislation by the U.S. Congress, or actions by the oversight board established by PROMESA, or court
approval of an unfavorable debt restructuring deal could have a negative impact on the marketability, liquidity or value of certain investments held by a Fund and could reduce a Fund’s performance.
Investments in the China Region
Investing in China, Hong Kong
and Taiwan (collectively, “the China Region”) involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in other more established economies or securities markets. Such risks may include: (a) the
risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation; (b) greater social, economic and political uncertainty (including the risk of war); (c) dependency on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade; (d)
the increasing competition from Asia’s other low-cost emerging economies; (e) greater price volatility and significantly smaller market capitalization of securities markets, particularly in China; (f) substantially less liquidity, particularly
of certain share classes of Chinese securities; (g) currency exchange rate fluctuations and the lack of available currency hedging instruments; (h) higher rates of inflation; (i) controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of
invested capital and on a Fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (j) greater governmental involvement in and control over the economy; (k) the risk that the Chinese government may decide not to continue to support the
economic reform programs implemented since 1978 and could return to the prior, completely centrally planned, economy; (l) the fact that China region companies, particularly those located in China, may be smaller, less seasoned and newly-organized
companies; (m) the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers, particularly in China; (n) the fact that statistical information regarding the economy
of China may be inaccurate or not comparable to statistical information regarding the U.S. or other economies; (o) the less extensive, and still developing, regulation of the securities markets, business entities and commercial transactions; (p) the
fact that the settlement period of securities transactions in foreign markets may be longer; (q) the willingness and ability of the Chinese government to support the Chinese and Hong Kong economies and markets is uncertain; (r) the risk that it may
be more difficult, or impossible, to obtain and/or enforce a judgment than in other countries; (s) the rapidity and erratic nature of growth, particularly in China, resulting in inefficiencies and dislocations; and (t) the risk of embargoes,
sanctions, investment restrictions and other trade limitations, including that certain securities are, or may in the future, become restricted, and a Fund may be forced to sell such restricted security and incur a loss as a result; and (u) the risk
that, because of the degree of interconnectivity between the economies and financial markets of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, any sizable reduction in the demand for goods from China, or an economic downturn in China, could negatively affect the
economies and financial markets of Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well.
Investment in the China Region
is subject to certain political risks. Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China by the Communist Party in 1949, the Chinese government renounced various debt obligations incurred by China’s predecessor governments,
which obligations remain in default, and expropriated assets without compensation. There can be no assurance that the Chinese government will not take similar action in the future. An investment in a Fund involves risk of a total loss. The political
reunification of China and Taiwan is a highly problematic issue and is unlikely to be settled in the near future. This situation poses a threat to Taiwan’s economy and could negatively affect its stock market. China has committed by treaty to
preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy and its economic, political and social freedoms for fifty years from the July 1, 1997 transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to China. However, if China would exert its authority so as to alter the economic,
political or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance.
As with all transition
economies, China’s ability to develop and sustain a credible legal, regulatory, monetary, and socioeconomic system could influence the course of outside investment. Hong Kong is closely tied to China, economically and through China’s
1997 acquisition of the country as a Special Autonomous Region (SAR). Hong Kong’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to retain the legal, financial, and monetary systems that allow economic freedom and market expansion.
In addition to the risks inherent
in investing in the emerging markets, the risks of investing in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan merit special consideration.
People’s Republic of China. The government of the People’s Republic of China is dominated by the one-party rule of the Chinese Communist Party.
China’s economy has
transitioned from a rigidly central-planned state-run economy to one that has been only partially reformed by more market-oriented policies. Although the Chinese government has implemented economic reform measures, reduced state ownership of
companies and established better corporate governance practices, a substantial portion of productive assets in China are still owned by the Chinese government. The government continues to exercise significant control over regulating industrial
development and, ultimately, control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular
industries or companies.
Following years of steady
growth, the pace of growth of China’s economy has relatively slowed, partly as a result of the government’s attempts to shift the economy away from export manufacturing and towards domestic consumption and to prevent the overheating of
certain sectors. The slow down subjects China’s economy to significant risks, including economic, social, and political risks. Additionally, China’s economy remains heavily dependent on exports. The imposition of tariffs or other trade
barriers or a downturn in the economy of a significant trading partner could adversely impact Chinese companies. Over the long term, China’s major challenges include dealing with its aging infrastructure, worsening environmental conditions and
rapidly widening urban and rural income gap.
As with all transition
economies, China’s ability to develop and sustain a credible legal, regulatory, monetary, and socioeconomic system could influence the course of outside investment. The Chinese legal system, in particular, constitutes a significant risk factor
for investors. The Chinese legal system is based on statutes. Since the late 1970s, Chinese legislative bodies have promulgated laws and regulations dealing with various economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and
governance, commerce, taxation, and trade. However, despite the expanding body of law in China, legal precedent and published court decisions based on these laws are limited and non-binding. The interpretation and enforcement of these laws and
regulations are uncertain.
Hong Kong. In 1997, Great Britain handed over control of Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland government. Since that time, Hong Kong has been governed by a semi-constitution known as the Basic Law, which guarantees a high degree of
autonomy in certain matters until 2047, while defense and foreign affairs are the responsibility of the central government in Beijing. The chief executive of Hong Kong is appointed by the Chinese government. Hong Kong is able to participate in
international organizations and agreements and it continues to function as an international financial center, with no exchange controls, free convertibility of the Hong Kong dollar and free inward and outward movement of capital. The Basic Law
guarantees existing freedoms, including free speech and assembly, press, religion, and the right to strike and travel. Business ownership, private property, the right of inheritance and foreign investment are also protected by law. China has
committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy until 2047; however, if China were to exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political, or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business
confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively
affected, which in
turn could negatively affect markets and business performance. In addition, Hong Kong’s economy has entered a recession as a result of the current global economic crisis. Near term improvement in its economy appears unlikely.
Taiwan. For decades, a state of hostility has existed between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China. Beijing has long deemed Taiwan a part of the “one China” and has made a nationalist cause of recovering
it. In the past, China has staged frequent military provocations off the coast of Taiwan and made threats of full-scale military action. Foreign trade has been the engine of rapid growth in Taiwan and has transformed the island into one of
Asia’s great exporting nations. However, investing in Taiwan involves the possibility of the imposition of exchange controls, such as restrictions on the repatriation of fund investments or on the conversion of local currency into foreign
currencies. As an export-oriented economy, Taiwan depends on an open world trade regime and remains vulnerable to downturns in the world economy. Taiwanese companies continue to compete mostly on price, producing generic products or branded
merchandise on behalf of multinational companies. Accordingly, these businesses can be particularly vulnerable to currency volatility and increasing competition from neighboring lower-cost countries. Moreover, many Taiwanese companies are heavily
invested in mainland China and other countries throughout Southeast Asia, making them susceptible to political events and economic crises in these parts of the region. Although Taiwan has not yet suffered any major economic setbacks due to the
current global economic crisis, it is possible its economy could still be impacted.
Securities are listed on
either the Shanghai and/or Shenzhen stock exchanges. Securities listed on these exchanges are divided into two classes, A shares, which are mostly limited to domestic investors, and B shares, which are allocated for both international and domestic
investors. A Fund’s exposure to securities listed on either the Shanghai or Shenzhen exchanges will initially be through B shares. The government of China has announced plans to exchange B shares for A shares and to merge the two markets. Such
an event may produce greater liquidity and stability for the combined markets. However, it is uncertain whether or the extent to which these plans will be implemented. In addition to B shares, a Fund may also invest in Hong Kong listed H shares,
Hong Kong listed Red chips (which are companies owned by mainland China enterprises, but are listed in Hong Kong), and companies that meet one of the following categories: the company is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in
China (including Hong Kong and Macau) or Taiwan; the principal securities market for the issuer is China or Taiwan; the issuer derives at least 50% of its total revenues or profits from goods that are produced or sold, investments made, or services
performed in China or Taiwan; or at least 50% of the issuer’s assets are located in China or Taiwan.
Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect
and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect. The Funds may invest in certain China A-Shares through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program (the “Programs”).
The Programs are securities trading and clearing linked programs developed by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”), the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (“HKSCC”), Shanghai Stock Exchange
(“SSE”), Shenzhen Stock Exchange (“SZSE”) and China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited (“ChinaClear”) with an objective to achieve mutual stock market access between mainland China and Hong
Kong. The Programs will allow foreign investors to trade certain SSE and SZSE listed China A-Shares through Hong Kong based brokers.
Trading through the Programs
are subject to various risks described below, including liquidity risk, currency risk, legal and regulatory uncertainty risk, execution risk, operational risk, tax risk, counterparty risk and credit risk.
Securities purchased under
each Program generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through that Program in accordance with applicable rules. While each Program is not subject to individual investment quotas, daily investment quotas apply to all
Program participants, which may restrict or preclude the Fund’s ability to purchase particular securities at a particular time. In addition, securities purchased through the Programs are subject to Chinese securities regulations that restrict
the levels of foreign ownership in local securities which could require a Fund to sell securities if ownership of the securities exceeds applicable quotas. Furthermore, additional restrictions may preclude a Fund from being eligible to invest in
certain securities traded through a Program. Because all trades in the Programs must be settled in Renminbi (“RMB”), the Chinese currency, investors must have timely access to a reliable supply of offshore RMB, which cannot be
guaranteed. Trades through each Program are subject to certain requirements prior to trading which may limit the number of brokers that a Fund may use. This may affect the quality of execution received by a Fund. In addition, applicable laws may,
under certain circumstances, require an investor to return profits obtained from the purchase and sale of shares.
The HKSCC provides clearing,
settlement, nominee functions and other related services of the trades executed by Hong Kong market participants through an arrangement with ChinaClear. The People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) regulations, which include certain
restrictions on selling and buying, will apply to all market participants. In the case of a sale, brokers must have access to certain information about the transaction prior to execution. Because of the various requirements and restrictions
applicable to the Programs, a Fund may not be able to purchase and/or dispose of holdings of China A-Shares in a timely manner.
A Fund will not benefit from
access to local investor compensation funds, which are set up to protect against defaults of trades, when investing through each Program. To the extent that HKSCC is deemed to be performing safekeeping functions with respect to assets held through
it, it should be noted that the Fund will have no legal relationship with HKSCC and no direct legal recourse against HKSCC in the event that the Fund suffers losses resulting from the performance or insolvency of HKSCC.
The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock
Connect Program began operation in November 2014 and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program began operation in December 2016. The relevant regulations relating to the Programs are untested and subject to change. There is no certainty as to how
they will be applied which could adversely affect a Fund. The Programs require use of new information technology systems which may be subject to operational risk due to its cross-border nature. If the relevant systems fail to function properly,
trading in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets through the Programs could be disrupted.
As in other emerging and less
developed markets, the legislative framework is only beginning to develop the concept of legal/formal ownership and of beneficial ownership or interest in securities in China. Consequently the applicable courts may consider that any nominee or
custodian as registered holder of securities would have full ownership thereof and that a beneficial owner may have no rights whatsoever in respect thereof and may be limited in its ability to pursue claims against the issuer of a security.
Additionally, the securities that a Fund may invest in through the Programs may present illiquidity and price volatility concerns and difficulty in determining market valuations of securities due to limited public information on issuers. Such
securities may also be subject to limited regulatory oversight and an increased risk of being delisted or suspended. Suspensions or delistings may become widespread, and the length of suspension may be significant and difficult to predict.
The Programs utilize an omnibus
clearing structure, and a Fund’s shares will be registered in its custodian’s, subcustodian’s or clearing broker’s name on the HKSCC system and in HKSCC’s name on the ChinaClear system. This may limit a Fund’s
adviser’s or subadviser’s ability to effectively manage a Fund, and may expose a Fund to the credit risk of its custodian or subcustodian or to greater risk of expropriation.
Similarly, HKSCC would be
responsible for the exercise of shareholder rights with respect to corporate actions (including all dividends, rights issues, merger proposals or other shareholder votes). While HKSCC may provide investors with the opportunity to provide voting
instructions, investors may not have sufficient time or the opportunity to consider proposals or provide instructions.
Investments in the Programs
may not be covered by the securities investor protection programs of either exchange and, without the protection of such programs, will be subject to the risk of default by a broker. In the event ChinaClear defaults, HKSCC’s liabilities under
its market contracts with clearing participants will be limited to assisting clearing participants with claims. While it is anticipated that HKSCC will act in good faith to seek recovery of the outstanding stocks and monies from ChinaClear through
available legal channels or the liquidation of ChinaClear, there can be no assurances that it will do so, or that it will be successful in doing so. In this event, the Fund may not fully recover its losses and the process could be delayed.
The Programs will only operate
on days when both the PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in each applicable market are open on the corresponding settlement days and the Funds will only trade through each Program on days that they are open. There may be
occasions when it is a normal trading day for the PRC market but the Fund cannot carry out any China A-Shares trading. A Fund may be subject to risks of price fluctuations in China A-Shares during the time when each Program is not trading as a
result. Additionally, different fees and costs are imposed on foreign investors acquiring China A-Shares acquired through the Programs, and these fees and costs may be higher than comparable fees and costs imposed on owners of other securities
providing similar investment exposure. There is uncertainty of whether and how certain gains on PRC securities will to be taxed, the possibility of the rules
being changed and
the possibility of taxes being applied retrospectively. Consequently, investors may be advantaged or disadvantaged depending upon the final outcome of how such gains will be taxed and when they subscribed and/or redeemed their shares.
Because the Programs are
relatively new, the actual effect on the market for trading China A-Shares with the introduction of large numbers of foreign investors is unknown. The Programs are subject to regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities for the applicable
exchanges and further regulations or restrictions, such as limitations on redemptions or suspension of trading, may adversely impact the Programs, if the authorities believe it necessary to assure orderly markets or for other reasons. There is no
guarantee that the exchanges will continue to support the Programs in the future.
China Interbank Bond Market. The China Interbank Bond Market (“CIBM”) is an OTC market established in 1997, and accounts for approximately 90% of outstanding bond values of the total trading volume in the People’s Republic of
China (“PRC”). On CIBM, domestic institutional investors and certain foreign institutional investors can trade, on a one-to-one quote-driven basis, sovereign bonds, government bonds, corporate bonds, bond repos, bond lending, bills
issued by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) and other financial debt instruments. CIBM is regulated and supervised by the PBOC. The PBOC is responsible for, among others, promulgating the applicable CIBM listing, trading and
operating rules, and supervising the market operators of CIBM. CIBM provides for two trading models: (i) bilateral negotiation and (ii) “click-and-deal.” The China Foreign Exchange Trading System (“CFETS”) is the unified
trading platform for CIBM, on which all products are traded through independent bilateral negotiation on a transaction by transaction basis. A market-making mechanism has also been introduced to improve market liquidity and enhance efficiency with
respect to trading on CIBM.
Once a transaction is agreed,
the parties will, in accordance with the terms of the transaction, promptly send instructions for the delivery of bonds and funds. Parties are required to have sufficient bonds and funds for delivery on the agreed delivery date. China Central
Depository & Clearing Co., Ltd (“CCDC”) will deliver bonds according to the instructions sent by the parties. Clearing banks will handle the transfer of funds and settlement of the payments of the bonds on behalf of the
parties.
Certain Funds,
including the Global Bond Opportunities Fund, Income Fund, Unconstrained Debt Fund, Emerging Markets Strategic Debt Fund, Global Allocation Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Core Plus Bond Fund, Short Duration Core Plus Fund, and JPMorgan Insurance
Trust Global Allocation Portfolio, may invest in certain Chinese fixed income products traded on the CIBM through the “Mutual Bond Market Access between Mainland China and Hong Kong” (“Bond Connect”) program. The Bond Connect
program is a new initiative launched in July 2017 established by CFETS, CCDC, Shanghai Clearing House (“SHCH”), and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”) and Central Moneymarkets Unit (“CMU”) of the
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”) to facilitate investors from Mainland China and Hong Kong to trade in each other’s bond markets through connection between the Mainland China and Hong Kong financial institutions.
Under the prevailing PRC
regulations, eligible foreign investors are allowed to invest in the bonds available on the CIBM through the northbound trading of Bond Connect (“Northbound Trading Link”). There is no investment quota for the Northbound Trading Link.
Under the Northbound Trading Link, eligible foreign investors are required to appoint the CFETS or other institutions recognized by the PBOC as registration agents to apply for registration with the PBOC.
The Northbound Trading Link
refers to the trading platform that is located outside of Mainland China and is connected to CFETS for eligible foreign investors to submit their trade requests for bonds circulated in the CIBM through Bond Connect. HKEx and CFETS will work together
with offshore electronic bond trading platforms to provide electronic trading services and platforms to allow direct trading between eligible foreign investors and approved onshore dealers in Mainland China through CFETS.
Eligible foreign investors may
submit trade requests for bonds circulated in the CIBM through the Northbound Trading Link provided by offshore electronic bond trading platforms, which will in turn transmit their requests for quotation to CFETS. CFETS will send the requests for
quotation to a number of approved onshore dealers (including market makers and others engaged in the market making business) in Mainland China. The approved onshore dealers will respond to the requests for quotation via CFETS, and CFETS will send
its responses to those eligible foreign investors through the same offshore electronic bond trading platforms. Once the eligible foreign investor accepts the quotation, the trade is concluded on CFETS.
On the other hand, the
settlement and custody of bond securities traded in the CIBM under Bond Connect are conducted through the settlement and custody link between the CMU, as an offshore custody agent, and the CCDC and the SHCH, as onshore custodian and clearing
institutions in Mainland China. Under this settlement and custody link, CCDC or the SHCH will effect gross settlement of confirmed trades onshore and the CMU will process bond settlement instructions from the CMU members on behalf of eligible
foreign investors in accordance with its relevant rules.
Pursuant to the prevailing
regulations in Mainland China, the CMU, being the offshore custody agent recognized by the HKMA, opens omnibus nominee accounts with the onshore custody agent recognized by the PBOC (i.e., the CCDC and Interbank Clearing Company Limited). All bonds
traded by eligible foreign investors will be registered in the name of the CMU, which will hold such bonds as a nominee owner.
A Fund’s investments in
bonds through Bond Connect will be subject to a number of additional risks and restrictions that may affect the Fund’s investments and returns. Bond Connect is relatively new. Laws, rules, regulations, policies, notices, circulars or
guidelines relating to Bond Connect (the “Applicable Bond Connect Regulations”) as published or applied by any of Bond Connect Authorities (as defined below) are untested and are subject to change from time to time. There can be no
assurance that Bond Connect will not be restricted, suspended or abolished. If such event occurs, a Fund’s ability to invest in the CIBM through Bond Connect will be adversely affected. “Bond Connect Authorities” refers to the
exchanges, trading systems, settlement systems, governmental, regulatory or tax bodies which provide services and/or regulate Bond Connect and activities relating to Bond Connect, including, without limitation, the PBOC, the HKMA, the HKEx, the
CFETS, the CMU, the CCDC and the SHCH and any other regulator, agency or authority with jurisdiction, authority or responsibility in respect of Bond Connect.
Hedging activities under Bond
Connect are subject to the Applicable Bond Connect Regulations and any prevailing market practice. There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to carry out hedging transactions at terms which are satisfactory to the investment manager of the Fund
and to the best interest of the Fund. A Fund may also be required to unwind its hedge in unfavorable market conditions.
Potential lack of liquidity
due to low trading volume of certain fixed income securities in the CIBM may result in prices of certain fixed income securities traded on such market fluctuating significantly, which may expose a Fund to liquidity risks. In addition, the fixed
income securities traded in the CIBM may be difficult or impossible to sell, and this would affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of such securities at their intrinsic value.
Although
delivery-versus-payment (“DVP”) settlement (e.g., simultaneous delivery of security and payment) is the dominant settlement method adopted by CCDC and SHCH for all bond transactions in the CIBM, there is no assurance that settlement
risks can be eliminated. In addition, DVP settlement practices in the PRC may differ from practices in developed markets. In particular, such settlement may not be instantaneous and be subject to a delay of a period of hours. Where the counterparty
does not perform its obligations under a transaction or there is otherwise a failure due to CCDC or SHCH (as applicable), a Fund may sustain losses.
It is contemplated that the
mainland Chinese authorities will reserve the right to suspend Northbound trading of Bond Connect, if necessary for ensuring an orderly and fair market and that risks are managed prudently. The relevant PRC government authority may also impose
“circuit breakers” and other measures to halt or suspend Northbound trading. Where a suspension in the Northbound trading through Bond Connect is effected, a Fund’s ability to access the CIBM bond market will be adversely
affected.
Under the
prevailing Applicable Bond Connect Regulations, eligible foreign investors who wish to participate in Bond Connect may do so through an onshore settlement agent, offshore custody agent, registration agent or other third parties (as the case may be),
who would be responsible for making the relevant filings and account opening with the relevant authorities. A Fund is therefore subject to the risk of default or errors on the part of such agents.
Trading through Bond Connect
is performed through newly developed trading platforms and operational systems. There is no assurance that such systems will function properly (in particular, under extreme market conditions) or will continue to be adapted to changes and
developments in the market. In the event that the relevant systems fails to function properly, trading through Bond Connect may be disrupted. A Fund’s ability to trade through Bond Connect (and hence to pursue its investment strategy) may
therefore be adversely affected. In addition, where a Fund invests in the CIBM through Bond Connect, it may be subject to risks of delays inherent in the order placing and/or settlement.
For a Fund’s investment
under Bond Connect, although there is no quota restriction under the Applicable Bond Connect Regulations, relevant information about the Fund’s investments needs to be filed with PBOC and an updating filing may be required if there is any
significant change to the filed information. It cannot be predicted whether PBOC will make any comments on or require any changes with respect to such information for the purpose of filing. If so required, a Fund will need to follow PBOC
instructions and make the relevant changes accordingly, which, may not be in the best interests of the Fund and the Fund’s investors from a commercial perspective.
The CMU is the “nominee
holder” of the bonds acquired by a Fund through Bond Connect. Although the Applicable Bond Connect Regulations expressly provide that investors enjoy the rights and interests of the bonds acquired through Bond Connect in accordance with
applicable laws, how a beneficial owner (such as a Fund) of the relevant bonds exercises and enforces its rights over such securities in the courts in China is yet to be tested. Even if the concept of beneficial ownership is recognized under Chinese
law, those securities may form part of the pool of assets of such nominee holder, which may be available for distribution to creditors upon liquidation of such nominee holder, and accordingly a beneficial owner may have no rights whatsoever in
respect thereof.
Northbound trading through
Bond Connect is able to be undertaken on days upon which the CIBM is open to trade, regardless of whether they are a public holiday in the domicile of a Fund. Accordingly, it is possible that bonds traded through Bond Connect may be subject to
fluctuation at times when a Fund is unable to buy or sell bonds, as its globally-based intermediaries are not available to assist with trades. Accordingly, this may cause a Fund to be unable to realize gains, avoid losses or to benefit from an
opportunity to invest in mainland CIBM bonds at an attractive price.
CIBM bonds under Northbound
Trading of Bond Connect will be traded and settled in RMB. If a Fund issues classes denominated in a currency other than RMB, the Fund will be exposed to currency risk if the Fund invests in a RMB product due to the need for the conversion of the
currency into RMB. A Fund will also incur currency conversion costs. Even if the price of the RMB asset remains the same when a Fund purchases and redeems, the Fund will still incur a loss when it converts the redemption proceeds into local currency
if RMB has depreciated. Also, as a Fund may either settle CIBM bonds using offshore RMB (“CNH”) or by converting offshore currency into onshore RMB (“CNY”), any divergence between CNH and CNY may adversely impact
investors.
Under
prevailing principles of the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law (“CIT Law”) and relevant regulations, non-PRC tax resident enterprises deriving China source interest and capital gains are subject to PRC Corporate Income Tax (“CIT”)
withholding of 10%, subject to any reduction or exemption under an applicable CIT Law, regulation (such as the CIT exemption for interest derived from qualified government bonds) or double taxation treaty or arrangement.
The Ministry of Finance and the
State Administration of Taxation issued a circular that grants a three year exemption from CIT and value-added tax applicable to interest derived from China onshore bond markets (including CIBM) by foreign institutional investors (such as a Fund).
This exemption applies from November 7, 2018 to November 6, 2021. The PRC tax authorities have not issued any guidance on the applicable PRC tax treatment after the expiry of the three year exemption.
Investments in India
Securities of many issuers in
the Indian market may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers, but may offer the potential for higher returns over the long term. Indian securities will generally be denominated in foreign currency, mainly the
rupee. Accordingly, the value of the Fund will fluctuate depending on the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and such foreign currency. India has less developed clearance and settlement procedures, and there have been times when settlements
have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities and have been significantly delayed. The Indian stock exchanges have in the past been subject to closure, broker defaults and broker strikes, and there can be no certainty that this will
not recur. In addition, significant delays are common in registering transfers of securities and the Fund may be unable to sell securities until the registration process is completed and may experience delays in receipt of dividends and other
entitlements.
The value
of investments in Indian securities may also be affected by political and economic developments, social, religious or regional tensions, changes in government regulation and government intervention, high rates of inflation or interest rates and
withholding tax affecting India. The risk of loss may also be increased because there may be less information available about Indian issuers since they are
not subject to the
extensive accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices which are applicable in North America. There is also a lower level of regulation and monitoring of the Indian securities market and its participants than in other more
developed markets.
Foreign investment in the
securities of issuers in India is usually restricted or controlled to some degree. In addition, the availability of financial instruments with exposure to Indian financial markets may be substantially limited by the restrictions on Foreign
Institutional Investors (“FIIs”). Only registered FIIs and non-Indian mutual funds that comply with certain statutory conditions may make direct portfolio investments in exchange-traded Indian securities. JPMIM is a registered FII. FIIs
are required to observe certain investment restrictions which may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in issuers or to fully pursue its investment objective. Income, gains and initial capital with respect to such investments are freely
repatriable, subject to payment of applicable Indian taxes.
India’s guidelines under
which foreign investors may invest in Indian securities are new and evolving. There can be no assurance that these investment control regimes will not change in a way that makes it more difficult or impossible for a Fund to implement investment
objective or repatriate its income, gains and initial capital from these countries. Similar risks and considerations will be applicable to the extent that a Fund invests in other countries. Recently, certain policies have served to restrict foreign
investment, and such policies may have the effect of reducing demand for such investments.
India may require withholding
on dividends paid on portfolio securities and on realized capital gains. In the past, these taxes have sometimes been substantial. There can be no assurance that restrictions on repatriation of a Fund’s income, gains or initial capital from
India will not occur.
A
high proportion of the shares of many issuers in India may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment. In addition, further issuances, or the perception that such
issuances may occur, of securities by Indian issuers in which a Fund has invested could dilute the earnings per share of a Fund’s investment and could adversely affect the market price of such securities. Sales of securities by such
issuer’s major shareholders, or the perception that such sales may occur, may also significantly and adversely affect the market price of such securities and, in turn, a Fund’s investment. The prices at which investments may be acquired
may be affected by trading by persons with material non-public information and by securities transactions by brokers in anticipation of transactions by a Fund in particular securities. Similarly, volume and liquidity in the bond markets in India are
less than in the United States and, at times, price volatility can be greater than in the United States. The limited liquidity of securities markets in India may also affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and
time it wishes to do so. In addition, India’s securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities.
India’s stock market is
undergoing a period of growth and change which may result in trading volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulations. The securities industry in India is
comparatively underdeveloped. Stockbrokers and other intermediaries in India may not perform as well as their counterparts in the United States and other more developed securities markets.
Political and economic
structures in India are undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of the United States. The risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or
expropriation of assets, may be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values of investments in India and the availability of additional investments. The laws in India relating to limited liability of
corporate shareholders, fiduciary duties of officers and directors, and the bankruptcy of state enterprises are generally less well developed than or different from such laws in the United States. It may be more difficult to obtain or enforce a
judgment in the courts in India than it is in the United States. Monsoons and natural disasters also can affect the value of investments.
Religious and border disputes
persist in India. Moreover, India has from time to time experienced civil unrest and hostilities with neighboring countries such as Pakistan. The Indian government has confronted separatist movements in several Indian states. The longstanding
dispute with Pakistan over the bordering Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, a majority of whose population is Muslim, remains unresolved. If the Indian government is unable to control the violence and disruption associated with these tensions, the
results could destabilize the economy and consequently, adversely affect the Fund’s investments.
A Fund may use P-notes.
Indian-based brokerages may buy Indian-based securities and then issue P-notes to foreign investors. Any dividends or capital gains collected from the underlying securities may be remitted to the foreign investors. However, unlike ADRs, notes are
subject to credit risk based on the uncertainty of the counterparty’s (i.e., the Indian-based brokerage’s) ability to meet its obligations.
Investments in Japan
The Japanese economy may be
subject to economic, political and social instability, which could have a negative impact on Japanese securities. In the past, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low, and it may remain low in the future. At times, the
Japanese economy has been adversely impacted by government intervention and protectionism, changes in its labor market, and an unstable financial services sector. International trade, government support of the financial services sector and other
troubled sectors, government policy, natural disasters and/or geopolitical developments could significantly affect the Japanese economy. A significant portion of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations and can be affected by
conditions in these nations or by currency fluctuations. Japan is an island state with few natural resources and limited land area and is reliant on imports for its commodity needs. Any fluctuations or shortages in the commodity markets could have a
negative impact on the Japanese economy.
Investments in the Middle East and Africa
Certain countries in the
region are in early stages of development. As a result, there may be a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of
investors and financial intermediaries. Brokers may be fewer in number and less well capitalized than brokers in more developed regions. Certain economies in the region depend to a significant degree upon exports of commodities and are vulnerable to
changes in commodity prices, which in turn may be affected by a variety of factors. In addition, certain governments in the region have exercised substantial influence over the private sector, including ownership or control of companies.
Governmental actions in the future could have a significant economic impact. Certain armed conflict, territorial disputes, historical animosities, regional instability, terrorist activities and religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Such
developments could have a negative effect on economic growth and could result in significant disruptions in the securities markets, including securities held by a Fund. Certain Middle Eastern and African countries have currencies pegged to the U.S.
dollar, which, if abandoned, could cause sudden and significant currency adjustments, which could impact the Fund’s investment returns in those countries. The legal systems, and the unpredictability thereof, in certain countries in the region
also may have an adverse impact on the Fund and may expose the Fund to significant or unlimited liabilities. Investment in certain countries in the region by the Fund may be restricted or prohibited under applicable regulation, and the Fund, as a
foreign investor, may be required to obtain approvals and may have to invest on less advantageous terms (including price) than nationals. A Fund’s investments in securities of a country in the region may be subject to economic sanctions or
other government restrictions, which may negatively impact the value or liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Investments in the region may adversely impact the operations of the Fund through the delay of the Fund’s ability to exercise
its rights as a security holder. Substantial limitations may exist in the region with respect to the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital gains or its investment. Securities which are subject to material legal restrictions
on repatriation of assets will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund and subject to the limitations on illiquid investments.
Saudi Arabia. To the extent a Fund invests in securities issued by Saudi Arabian issuers, the Fund may be subject to the risk of investing in those issuers. Saudi Arabian issuers may be impacted by the Saudi Arabian economy, which is
significantly tied to petroleum exports. As a result, a reduction in petroleum exports with key partners or in petroleum prices could have an overall impact on the Saudi Arabian economy. The Saudi Arabian economy also relies heavily on cheap,
foreign labor, and changes in the availability of this labor supply could have an adverse effect on the economy.
Although liberalization in the
wider Saudi Arabian economy is underway, the government of Saudi Arabia exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. Political instability in Saudi Arabia or instability in the larger Middle East region could adversely
impact the economy of Saudi Arabia. Instability may be caused by, among other things: military developments; government interventions in the marketplace; terrorism; extremist attitudes; attempted social or political reforms; religious differences;
and other factors. Additionally, anti-Western views held by certain groups in the Middle East may influence the government of Saudi Arabia’s policies regarding foreign investment. In addition, certain issuers located in Saudi Arabia may
operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S.
government as
state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer that operates in, or has dealings with, such countries. A Fund, as an investor in such issuers, will be indirectly subject to
those risks. A Fund is also subject to the risk of expropriation or nationalization of assets and property or the risk of restrictions on foreign investments and repatriation of capital.
The ability of foreign
investors, including the Funds, to invest in Saudi Arabian issuers is relatively new and untested, and such ability may be revoked or restricted by the government of Saudi Arabia in the future, which may materially affect a Fund. A Fund may be
unable to obtain or maintain the required licenses, which would affect the Fund’s ability to buy and sell securities at full value. Additionally, a Fund’s ownership of any single issuer listed on the Saudi Arabian Stock Exchange may be
limited by the Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority (“CMA”). Major disruptions or regulatory changes may occur in the Saudi Arabian market, which could negatively impact the Funds.
The securities markets in Saudi
Arabia may not be as developed as those in other countries. As a result, securities markets in Saudi Arabia are subject to greater risks associated with market volatility, lower market capitalization, lower trading volume, illiquidity, inflation,
greater price fluctuations, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets, governmental control and heavy regulation of labor and industry. Shares of certain Saudi Arabian companies tend to trade less frequently than those of companies on
exchanges in more developed markets, which may adversely affect the pricing of these securities and a Fund’s ability to sell these securities in the future. Current regulations in the Saudi Arabian securities markets may require a Fund to
execute trades of securities through a single broker. As a result, the investment adviser will have less flexibility to choose among brokers on behalf of a Fund than is typically the case for investment managers.
A Fund’s ability to
achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the investment adviser to maintain its status as a Qualified Foreign Investor (“QFI”) with the CMA and the Fund as a client of a QFI who has been approved by the CMA (“QFI
Client”). Even if a Fund obtains QFI Client status, the Fund may not have an exclusive investment quota and will be subject to foreign investment limitations and other regulations imposed by the CMA on QFIs and QFI Clients (individually and in
the aggregate), as well as local market participants. QFI regulations and local market infrastructure are relatively new and have not been tested and the CMA may discontinue the QFI regime at any time. Any change in the QFI system generally,
including the possibility of the investment adviser or a Fund losing its QFI or QFI Client status, respectively, may adversely affect the Fund.
A Fund is required to use a
trading account to buy and sell securities in Saudi Arabia. This trading account can be held directly with a broker or a custodian. Under the Independent Custody Model (“ICM”), securities are under the control of the custodian and would
be recoverable in the event of the bankruptcy of the custodian. When a Fund utilizes the ICM approach, the Fund relies on a broker standing instruction letter to authorize the Fund’s sub-custodian to move securities to a trading account for
settlement based on the details supplied by the broker. The risk of a fraudulent or erroneous transaction through the ICM approach is mitigated by the short trading hours in Saudi Arabia, a manual pre-matching process conducted by the custodian,
which validates a Fund’s settlement instructions with the local broker contract note, and the transaction report from the depository. When a Fund utilizes a direct broker trading account, the account is set up in the Fund’s name and the
assets are likely to be separated from any other accounts at the broker. However, if the broker defaults, there may be a delay to recovering the Fund’s assets that are held in the broker account and legal proceedings may need to be initiated
in order to do so.
Investments in Latin
America
As an emerging
market, Latin America has long suffered from political, economic, and social instability. For investors, this has meant additional risk caused by periods of regional conflict, political corruption, totalitarianism, protectionist measures,
nationalization, hyperinflation, debt crises, sudden and large currency devaluation, and intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres. However, democracy is beginning to become well established in some countries. A move to a more
mature and accountable political environment is well under way. Domestic economies have been deregulated, privatization of state-owned companies is almost completed and foreign trade restrictions have been relaxed. Nonetheless, to the extent that
events such as those listed above continue in the future, they could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization, and removal of trade barriers, and result in significant disruption in securities markets in the region.
Investors in the region continue to face a number of potential risks. Governments of many Latin American countries have exercised and
continue to
exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. Governmental actions and political instability in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in Latin American countries, which could affect the companies
in which a Fund invests and, therefore, the value of Fund shares.
Certain Latin American
countries may experience sudden and large adjustments in their currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors. Certain Latin American countries may impose restrictions on the free conversion of their currency
into foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. There is no significant foreign exchange market for many currencies and it would, as a result, be difficult for certain Funds to engage in foreign currency transactions designed to protect the
value of the Funds’ interests in securities denominated in such currencies.
International economic
conditions, particularly those in the United States, as well as world prices for oil and other commodities may also influence certain Latin American economies. Because commodities such as oil, gas, minerals and metals represent a significant
percentage of the region’s exports, the economies of Latin American countries are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices. As a result, the economies in many of these countries can experience significant volatility.
Almost all of the
region’s economies have become highly dependent upon foreign credit and loans from external sources to fuel their state-sponsored economic plans. Government profligacy and ill-conceived plans for modernization have exhausted these resources
with little benefit accruing to the economy and most countries have been forced to restructure their loans or risk default on their debt obligations. In addition, interest on the debt is subject to market conditions and may reach levels that would
impair economic activity and create a difficult and costly environment for borrowers. Accordingly, these governments may be forced to reschedule or freeze their debt repayment, which could negatively affect the stock market. Latin American economies
that depend on foreign credit and loans could fall into recession because of tighter international credit supplies in a global economic crisis.
Substantial limitations may
exist in certain countries with respect to a Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental
approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.
Certain Latin American
countries have entered into regional trade agreements that are designed to, among other things, reduce barriers between countries, increase competition among companies and reduce government subsidies in certain industries. No assurance can be given
that these changes will be successful in the long term, or that these changes will result in the economic stability intended. There is a possibility that these trade arrangements will not be fully implemented, or will be partially or completely
unwound. It is also possible that a significant participant could choose to abandon a trade agreement, which could diminish its credibility and influence. Any of these occurrences could have adverse effects on the markets of both participating and
non-participating countries, including sharp appreciation or depreciation of participants’ national currencies and a significant increase in exchange rate volatility, a resurgence in economic protectionism, an undermining of confidence in the
Latin American markets, an undermining of Latin American economic stability, the collapse or slowdown of the drive towards Latin American economic unity, and/or reversion of the attempts to lower government debt and inflation rates that were
introduced in anticipation of such trade agreements. Such developments could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments in Latin America generally or in specific countries participating in such trade agreements.
For certain countries in Latin
America, political risks have created significant uncertainty in financial markets and may further limit the economic recovery in the region. For example, in Mexico, uncertainty regarding the status of NAFTA or its recently negotiated successor
– the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement – may have a significant and adverse impact on Mexico’s economic outlook and the value of a fund’s investments in Mexico. Additionally, recent political and social unrest in
Venezuela has resulted in a massive disruption in the Venezuelan economy, including a deep recession and near hyperinflation.
Terrorism and related
geo-political risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on world economies and markets generally.
Investments in Russia
Investing in Russian
securities is highly speculative and involves significant risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities markets of the U.S. and most other developed countries.
Over the past century, Russia
has experienced political, social and economic turbulence and has endured decades of communist rule under which the property of tens of millions of its citizens was collectivized into state agricultural and industrial enterprises. Since the collapse
of the Soviet Union, Russia’s government has been faced with the daunting task of stabilizing its domestic economy, while transforming it into a modern and efficient structure able to compete in international markets and respond to the needs
of its citizens. However, to date, many of the country’s economic reform initiatives have not been successful. In this environment, there is the risk that the Russian government will alter its political and economic policies in ways that would
be detrimental to the interests of foreign investors.
Recently, the Russian
government has asserted its regional geopolitical influence, including through military measures, which has increased tensions both with Russia’s neighbors and with other countries. The resulting imposition of sanctions by the United States
and the European Union has contributed to the slowing of the Russian economy, as have falling commodity prices and the collapse in the value of Russian exports. Additionally, the conflict has caused capital flight, loss of confidence in Russian
sovereign debt, and a retaliatory import ban by Russia that has helped stoke inflation. Further possible actions by Russia, including restricting gas exports to Ukraine and countries downstream, or provoking another military conflict elsewhere,
could lead to greater adverse impact for the Russian economy.
Many of Russia’s
businesses have failed to mobilize the available factors of production because the country’s privatization program virtually ensured the predominance of the old management teams that are largely non-market-oriented in their management
approach. Poor accounting standards, inept management, pervasive corruption, insider trading and crime, and inadequate regulatory protection for the rights of investors all pose a significant risk, particularly to foreign investors. In addition,
there is the risk that the Russian tax system will be enforced inconsistently or in an arbitrary manner or that exorbitant taxes will be imposed.
Compared to most national
stock markets, the Russian securities market suffers from a variety of problems not encountered in more developed markets. There is little long-term historical data on the Russian securities market because it is relatively new and a substantial
proportion of securities transactions in Russia are privately negotiated outside of stock exchanges. The inexperience of the Russian securities market and the limited volume of trading in securities in the market may make obtaining accurate prices
on portfolio securities from independent sources more difficult than in more developed markets. Additionally, because of less stringent auditing and financial reporting standards that apply to companies operating in Russia, there is little solid
corporate information available to investors. As a result, it may be difficult to assess the value or prospects of an investment in Russian companies. Stocks of Russian companies also may experience greater price volatility than stocks of U.S.
companies.
Settlement,
clearing and registration of securities transactions in Russia are subject to additional risks because of the recent formation of the Russian securities market, the underdeveloped state of the banking and telecommunications systems, and the overall
legal and regulatory framework. Prior to 2013, there was no central registration system for equity share registration in Russia and registration was carried out by either the issuers themselves or by registrars located throughout Russia. Such
registrars were not necessarily subject to effective state supervision nor were they licensed with any governmental entity, thereby increasing the risk that a Fund could lose ownership of its securities through fraud, negligence, or even mere
oversight. With the implementation of the National Settlement Depository (“NSD”) in Russia as a recognized central securities depository, title to Russian equities is now based on the records of the Depository and not the registrars.
Although the implementation of the NSD has enhanced the efficiency and transparency of the Russian securities market, issues resulting in loss still might occur. In addition, issuers and registrars are still prominent in the validation and approval
of documentation requirements for corporate action processing in Russia. Because the documentation requirements and approval criteria vary between registrars and/or issuers, there remain unclear and inconsistent market standards in the Russian
market with respect to the completion and submission of corporate action elections. To the extent that a Fund suffers a loss relating to title or corporate actions relating to its portfolio securities, it may be difficult for the Fund to enforce its
rights or otherwise remedy the loss.
The Russian economy is heavily
dependent upon the export of a range of commodities including most industrial metals, forestry products, oil, and gas. Accordingly, it is strongly affected by international commodity prices and is particularly vulnerable to any weakening in global
demand for these products. The recent fall in the price of commodities, which in turn pushed the whole economy into recession, has demonstrated the sensitivity of the Russian economy to such price volatility. In the near term, the ongoing European
sovereign debt crisis, a continued slowdown in China, and persistent low growth in the global economy may continue to result in low prices for Russian exports such as oil and gas, which could limit
Russia’s
economic growth. Over the long-term, Russia faces challenges including a shrinking workforce, high levels of corruption, difficulty in accessing capital for smaller, non-energy companies, and poor infrastructure in need of large investments.
Foreign investors also face a
high degree of currency risk when investing in Russian securities and a lack of available currency hedging instruments. Recently, the Russian ruble has been subject to significant devaluation pressure as a result of the imposition of sanctions by
the United States and the European Union and the decline in commodity prices and the value of Russian exports. Although the Russian Central Bank has spent a significant amount of its foreign exchange reserves in an attempt to maintain the
ruble’s value, there is a risk of significant future devaluation. In addition, there is a risk that the government may impose capital controls on foreign portfolio investments in the event of extreme financial or political crisis. Such capital
controls would prevent the sale of a portfolio of foreign assets and the repatriation of investment income and capital. These risks may cause flight from the ruble into U.S. dollars and other currencies.
The United States may impose
economic sanctions against companies in various sectors of the Russian economy, including, but not limited to, the financial services, energy, metals and mining, engineering, and defense and defense-related materials sectors. These sanctions, if
imposed, could impair a Fund’s ability to invest in securities it views as attractive investment opportunities. For example, a Fund may be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such sanctions. In addition, the
sanctions may require a Fund to freeze its existing investments in Russian companies, prohibiting the Fund from selling or otherwise transacting in these investments. This could impact a Fund’s ability to sell securities or other financial
instruments as needed to meet shareholder redemptions.
Terrorism and related
geo-political risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on world economies and markets generally.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Each Fund may employ
non-hedging risk management techniques. Risk management strategies are used to keep the Funds fully invested and to reduce the transaction costs associated with cash flows into and out of a Fund. The Funds use a wide variety of instruments and
strategies for risk management and the examples below are not meant to be exhaustive.
Examples of risk management
strategies include synthetically altering the duration of a portfolio or the mix of securities in a portfolio. For example, if the Adviser wishes to extend maturities in a fixed income portfolio in order to take advantage of an anticipated decline
in interest rates, but does not wish to purchase the underlying long-term securities, it might cause a Fund to purchase futures contracts on long term debt securities. Likewise, if the Adviser wishes to gain exposure to an instrument but does not
wish to purchase the instrument it may use swaps and related instruments. Similarly, if the Adviser wishes to decrease exposure to fixed income securities or purchase equities, it could cause the Fund to sell futures contracts on debt securities and
purchase futures contracts on a stock index. Such non-hedging risk management techniques involve leverage, and thus, present, as do all leveraged transactions, the possibility of losses as well as gains that are greater than if these techniques
involved the purchase and sale of the securities themselves rather than their synthetic derivatives.
LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Funds (other than the Money
Market Funds), have adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”) under Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Liquidity Risk Management Rule”). As required by the Liquidity Risk Management
Rule, the Funds limit Illiquid Investments that are assets to 15% of the Fund’s net assets (“Illiquid Limit”) and report to the Board and SEC within specified time periods of a Fund exceeding its 15% Illiquid Limit. “Illiquid
Investments” are defined as any investment the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in 7 calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the
investment. For purposes of determining compliance with the Illiquid Limit, only Illiquid Investments that have positive values are used in the numerator, and Illiquid Investments with negative values should not be netted against Illiquid
Investments with positive values.
SPECIAL
FACTORS AFFECTING CERTAIN FUNDS
In addition to the investment
strategies and policies described above, certain Funds may employ other investment strategies and policies, or similar strategies and policies to a greater extent, and, therefore, may be subject to additional risks or similar risks to a greater
extent. For instance, certain Funds which invest in
certain state
specific securities may be subject to special considerations regarding such investments. For a description of such additional investment strategies and policies as well as corresponding risks for such Funds, see Part I of this SAI.
RISK RELATED TO MANAGEMENT OF CERTAIN SIMILAR
FUNDS
The name,
investment objective and policies of certain Funds are similar to other funds advised by the adviser or its affiliates. However, the investment results of the Fund may be higher or lower than, and there is no guarantee that the investment results of
the Fund will be comparable to, any other of the funds.
DIVERSIFICATION
Certain Funds are diversified
funds and as such intend to meet the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act. Please refer to the Funds’ SAI Part I for information about whether a Fund is a diversified or non-diversified Fund. Current 1940 Act diversification
requirements require that with respect to 75% of the assets of a Fund, the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except
cash or cash items, obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and securities of other investment companies. As for the other 25% of a Fund’s assets not subject to the limitation described above, there is no
limitation on investment of these assets under the 1940 Act, so that all of such assets may be invested in securities of any one issuer. Investments not subject to the limitations described above could involve an increased risk to a Fund should an
issuer be unable to make interest or principal payments or should the market value of such securities decline.
Each of the Money Market Funds
intends to comply with the diversification requirements imposed by Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act.
Certain other Funds are
registered as non-diversified investment companies. A Fund is considered “non-diversified” because a relatively high percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of a single issuer or a limited number of
issuers, primarily within the same economic sector. A non-diversified Fund’s portfolio securities, therefore, may be more susceptible to any single economic, political, or regulatory occurrence than the portfolio securities of a more
diversified investment company.
Regardless of whether a Fund
is diversified under the 1940 Act, all of the Funds will comply with the diversification requirements imposed by the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company. See “Distributions and Tax Matters.”
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
The following discussion is a
brief summary of some of the important federal (and, where noted, state) income tax consequences affecting each Fund and its shareholders. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Except as otherwise noted in a
Fund’s Prospectus, the Funds are not intended for foreign shareholders. As a result, this section does not address in detail the tax consequences affecting any shareholder who, as to the U.S., is a nonresident alien individual, foreign trust
or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership. This section is based on the Code, the regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive
basis. The following tax discussion is very general; therefore, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors about the impact an investment in a Fund may have on their own tax situations and the possible application of foreign,
state and local law.
Each
Fund generally will be treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes, and thus the provisions of the Code generally will be applied to each Fund separately. Net long-term and short-term capital gain, net income and operating expenses
therefore will be determined separately for each Fund.
Special tax rules apply to
investments held through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund intends to elect to
be treated and qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other
things:
(a)
|
derive at least
90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gain from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but
not limited to, gain from options, swaps, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded
partnerships” (“QPTPs,” defined below); |
(b)
|
diversify its
holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated
investment companies, and other securities, limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not
more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (x) in the securities (other than cash or cash items, or securities issued by the U.S. government or other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer or of two or more
issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more QPTPs. In the case of a Fund’s investments in loan participations, the Fund shall treat both the
financial intermediary and the issuer of the underlying loan as an issuer for the purposes of meeting this diversification requirement; and |
(c)
|
distribute
with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid — generally, taxable ordinary income and any excess of
net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such taxable year. |
In general, for purposes of the
90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying
income if realized by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (defined as a partnership (x) interests in which are traded on an established
securities markets or readily tradable on a secondary market as the substantial equivalents thereof, (y) that derives at least 90% of its income from passive income sources defined in Section 7704(d) of the Code, and (z) that derives less than 90%
of its income from the qualifying income described in (a)(i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. Although income from a QPTP is qualifying income, as discussed above, investments in QPTPs cannot exceed 25% of the Fund’s assets. In
addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP.
Gains from foreign currencies
(including foreign currency options, foreign currency swaps, foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% test, described in paragraph (a) above. However, the
Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly with retroactive effect) excluding from the definition of “qualifying income” a fund’s foreign currency gains to the extent that such income is not directly
related to the fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities.
For purposes of paragraph (b)
above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a QPTP. A Fund’s investment in MLPs may qualify as an investment in (1) a QPTP, (2) a “regular” partnership, (3) a
“passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) or (4) a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The treatment of particular MLPs for U.S. federal income tax purposes will affect the extent to which a Fund can
invest in MLPs. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of a Fund’s investments in “PFICs” and “regular” partnerships are discussed in greater detail below.
If a Fund qualifies for a
taxable year as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain
Dividends, defined below). If a Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to taxation on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions
from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gain, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and for treatment as
qualified dividend
income in the case of individual shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gain, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a regulated investment company that
is accorded special tax treatment.
Each Fund intends to distribute
at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and may distribute its net capital gain (that is the excess of net long-term capital
gain over net short-term capital loss). Investment company taxable income which is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate tax rates. A Fund might also retain for investment its net capital gain. If a Fund does retain such net
capital gain, such gain will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in
income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their respective shares of the undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their respective shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against
their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of a Fund will be increased by an amount equal
under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.
In determining its net capital
gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend, its taxable income and its earnings and profits, a Fund may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net
capital loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, or if there is no net capital loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after that date) or
late-year ordinary loss (generally, (i) net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, plus (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the
portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies
If a Fund fails to distribute
in a calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year
period ending October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. The Funds intend to make
distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax, although each Fund reserves the right to pay an excise tax rather than make an additional distribution when circumstances warrant (e.g., the excise tax amount is deemed by a Fund to
be de minimis). Certain derivative instruments give rise to ordinary income and loss. If a Fund has a taxable year that begins in one calendar year and ends in the next calendar year, the Fund will be required to make this excise tax distribution
during its taxable year. There is a risk that a Fund could recognize income prior to making this excise tax distribution and could recognize losses after making this distribution. As a result, all or a portion of an excise tax distribution could
constitute a return of capital (see discussion below).
Fund Distributions
The Funds anticipate
distributing substantially all of their net investment income for each taxable year. Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gain earned by the Fund before a shareholder’s investment (and thus were
included in the price the shareholder paid). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in shares will be treated as having received a
dividend equal to the amount of cash that the shareholder would have received if such shareholder had elected to receive the distribution in cash.
Dividends and distributions on
a Fund’s shares generally are subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may represent economically a return of a
particular shareholder’s investment. Such dividends and distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects gains that are either (i) unrealized, or (ii) realized but not
distributed.
For federal
income tax purposes, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gain are determined by how long a Fund owned the investment that generated it, rather than how long a shareholder
may have owned shares in the Fund.
Distributions of
net capital gain from the sale of investments that a Fund owned for more than one year and that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gain.
Distributions of capital gain generally are made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds
certain threshold amounts. A distribution of gain from the sale of investments that a Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions attributable to gain from the sale of MLPs that is characterized as ordinary
income under the Code’s recapture provisions will be taxable as ordinary income.
Distributions of investment
income reported by a Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder
to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet certain holding-period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio, and the shareholder must meet certain holding-period and other
requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61
days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90
days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii) if the
recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment interest for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the
benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) or (b) treated as a PFIC. The amount of a
Fund’s distributions that would otherwise qualify for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of a fund’s securities lending activities or high portfolio turnover rate.
In general, distributions of
investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a non-corporate taxable shareholder so long as the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described
above with respect to the Fund’s shares. In any event, if the qualified dividend income received by each Fund during any taxable year is equal to or greater than 95% of its “gross income,” then 100% of the Fund’s dividends
(other than dividends that are properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only gain included in the term “gross income” is the excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss.
If a Fund receives dividends
from an underlying fund, and the underlying fund reports such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” then the Fund may, in turn, report a portion of its distributions as “qualified dividend income” as well, provided the
Fund meets the holding-period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying fund.
Under recently issued Treasury
regulations, certain distributions reported by a Fund as section 163(j) interest dividends may be treated as interest income by shareholders for purposes of the tax rules applicable to interest expense limitations under Code section 163(j). Such
treatment by the shareholder is generally subject to holding period requirements and other potential limitations, although the holding period requirements are generally not applicable to dividends declared by money market funds and certain other
funds that declare dividends daily and pay such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. The amount that a Fund is eligible to report as a Section 163(j) dividend for a tax year is generally limited to the excess of the Fund’s business
interest income over the sum of the Fund’s (i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.
Any loss realized upon a
taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received by the shareholder with respect to those shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a
taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed if other shares of such Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.
A distribution paid
to shareholders by a Fund in January of a year generally is deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31 of the preceding year, if the distribution was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October, November, or
December of that preceding year. The Funds will provide federal tax information annually, including information about dividends and distributions paid during the preceding year to taxable investors and others requesting such information.
If a Fund makes a distribution
to its shareholders in excess of its current and accumulated “earnings and profits” in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of each shareholder’s basis (for tax purposes) in
its shares, and any distribution in excess of basis will be treated as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces the shareholder’s basis in its shares, which reduces the loss (or increases the gain) on a subsequent
taxable disposition by such shareholder of the shares.
Dividends of net investment
income received by corporate shareholders (other than shareholders that are S corporations) of a Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends
received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (1) if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be “debt-financed”
(generally, acquired with borrowed funds), (2) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which
is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (3) to the extent that the Fund is under an
obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate
shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of a Fund or (2) by application of the Code. However, any distributions received by a Fund from REITs and PFICs will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received
deduction. The amount eligible for the dividends received deduction may also be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities or high portfolio turnover rate.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax
is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares, but excluding any exempt interest dividends
from a Fund) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust)
exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Sale or
Redemption of Shares
The
sale, exchange, or redemption of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the
amount of capital gain dividends received on (or undistributed capital gains credited with respect to) such shares. Additionally, any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares with a tax holding period of six months or less may be
disallowed to the extent of any distributions treated as exempt interest dividends with respect to such shares. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s
income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Capital gain of a corporate shareholder is taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.
With respect to the Prime Money
Market Fund, shareholders may elect to adopt a simplified “NAV method” for computing gains and losses from taxable sales, exchanges or redemptions of Fund shares. Under the NAV method, rather than computing gain or loss separately for
each taxable disposition of Fund shares as described above, a shareholder would determine gain or loss based on the change in the aggregate value of the shareholder’s Fund shares during a computation period (which could be the
shareholder’s taxable year or certain shorter periods), reduced by the shareholder’s net investment (purchases minus taxable sales, exchanges, or redemptions or exchanges) in those Fund shares during that period. Under the NAV method, if
a shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset, any resulting net gain or loss would be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
Fund Investments
Certain investments of the
Funds, including transactions in options, swaptions, futures contracts, forward contracts, straddles, swaps, short sales, foreign currencies, inflation-linked securities and foreign securities, including for hedging purposes, will be subject to
special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). In a given case, these rules may accelerate income to a Fund, defer losses to a Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of a
Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gain into short-term capital gain, convert short-term capital losses into long-term
capital loss, or
otherwise affect the character of a Fund’s income. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders and cause differences between a Fund’s book income and its taxable income. If a
Fund’s book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from
tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund’s book income is less than taxable
income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment. Income earned as a result of these transactions would, in general, not be eligible
for the dividends-received deduction or for treatment as exempt-interest dividends when distributed to shareholders. The Funds will endeavor to make any available elections pertaining to such transactions in a manner believed to be in the best
interest of each Fund and its shareholders.
The Fund’s participation
in loans of securities may affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders. With respect to any security subject to a securities loan, any (i) amounts received by the Fund in place of dividends earned on the security during
the period that such security was not directly held by the Fund will not give rise to qualified dividend income and (ii) withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such security was not directly held by the Fund will not qualify
as a foreign tax paid by the Fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders even if the Fund meets the requirements described in “Foreign Taxes,” below.
Certain debt securities
purchased by the Funds are sold at an original issue discount and thus do not make periodic cash interest payments. Similarly, zero-coupon bonds do not make periodic interest payments. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount is treated
as interest income and is included in taxable income (and required to be distributed) over the term of the debt security even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. In addition,
payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income that is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. Because each Fund distributes
substantially all of its net investment income to its shareholders (including such imputed interest), a Fund may have to sell portfolio securities in order to generate the cash necessary for the required distributions. Such sales may occur at a time
when the Adviser would not otherwise have chosen to sell such securities and may result in a taxable gain or loss. Some of the Funds may invest in inflation-linked debt securities. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked debt
security will be original issue discount, which is taxable as ordinary income and is required to be distributed, even though the Fund will not receive the principal, including any increase thereto, until maturity. A Fund investing in such securities
may be required to liquidate other investments, including at times when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements and to eliminate any possible taxation at the Fund level. Certain debt securities that may be
acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income
to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to
debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
A Fund may invest to a
significant extent in debt obligations that are in the lowest rated categories (or are unrated), including debt obligations of issuers that are not currently paying interest or that are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of
being in default (or are presently in default) present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent
deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by each Fund when, as and if it
invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income taxation or any excise tax.
A Fund’s investments in
foreign currencies, foreign currency denominated debt securities and certain options, futures or forward foreign currency contracts (and similar instruments) will be subject to special tax rules. Generally, transactions in foreign currencies give
rise to ordinary income or loss. An election under Section 988(a)(1)(B) may be available to treat foreign currency gain or loss attributable to certain forward, futures and option contracts as capital, including certain “foreign currency
contracts.” A “foreign currency contract” is a contract that (1) requires delivery of, or settlement of, a foreign currency that is a
currency in which
positions are also traded through regulated futures contracts, (2) is traded in the interbank market, and (3) is entered into at an arm’s-length price determined by reference to the price in the interbank market. If this Section 988(a)(1)(B)
election is made, foreign currency contracts are treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss under the Section 1256 mark-to-market rules. All other forward contracts under this 988(a)(1)(B) election would be
characterized as capital and generally gain or loss would be recognized when the contract is closed and completed. Other rules apply to options, futures or forward foreign currency contracts that may be part of a straddle or a Section 988 hedging
transaction within the meaning of Code Section 988(d). Proposed regulations also permit an election to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for currency gains and losses with respect to certain transactions. The elective method of accounting
takes into account currently only changes in the value of the transaction attributable to exchange rate fluctuations and does not take into account changes in value due to other factors, such as changes in market interest rates. The election does
not apply in certain cases, including with respect to any securities that are marked to market under any other provision.
Special tax considerations
apply if a Fund invests in investment companies that are taxable as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. In general, the Fund will not recognize income earned by such an investment company until the close of the investment company’s
taxable year. But the Fund will recognize such income as it is earned by the investment company for purposes of determining whether it is subject to the 4% excise tax. Therefore, if the Fund and such an investment company have different taxable
years, the Fund may be compelled to make distributions in excess of the income recognized from such an investment company in order to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax. A Fund’s receipt of a non-liquidating cash distribution from an
investment company taxable as a partnership generally will result in recognized gain (but not loss) only to the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds the Fund’s adjusted basis in shares of such investment company before the
distribution. A Fund that receives a liquidating cash distribution from an investment company taxable as a partnership will recognize capital gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received by the Fund and the Fund’s
adjusted tax basis in shares of such investment company; however, the Fund will recognize ordinary income, rather than capital gain, to the extent that the Fund’s allocable share of “unrealized receivables” (including any accrued
but untaxed market discount) exceeds the shareholder’s share of the basis in those unrealized receivables.
Some amounts received by each
Fund with respect to its investments in MLPs will likely be treated as a return of capital because of accelerated deductions available with respect to the activities of such MLPs. On the disposition of an investment in such an MLP, the Fund will
likely realize taxable income in excess of economic gain with respect to that asset (or, if the Fund does not dispose of the MLP, the Fund likely will realize taxable income in excess of cash flow with respect to the MLP in a later period), and the
Fund must take such income into account in determining whether the Fund has satisfied its distribution requirements. The Fund may have to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its distribution requirements and to meet its redemption requests,
even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the Fund to sell securities or borrow money at such time.
Some of the Funds may invest in
REITs. Such investments in REIT equity securities may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. In order to generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its
portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. A Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at other times result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the
REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes such amounts, such distribution could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute
qualified dividend income.
Tax reform legislation enacted
on December 22, 2017, informally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), established a 20% deduction for qualified business income. Under this provision, which is effective for taxable years beginning in 2018 and, without
further legislation, will sunset for taxable years beginning after 2025, individuals, trusts, and estates generally may deduct (the “Deduction”) 20% of “qualified business income,” which includes all ordinary REIT dividends
(“Qualifying REIT Dividends”) and certain income from investments in MLPs (“MLP Income”). Treasury regulations permit a RIC to pass through to its shareholders Qualifying REIT Dividends eligible for the deduction. However,
the regulations do not provide a mechanism for a RIC to pass through to its shareholders MLP Income that would be eligible for such deduction. It is uncertain whether future legislation or other guidance will enable a RIC to pass through the special
character of MLP Income to the RIC’s shareholders.
A Fund might invest directly or
indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPS”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that
have not yet been issued (but may apply with retroactive effect) a portion of a Fund’s income from a REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a REMIC or a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess
inclusion”) will be subject to federal income taxation in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as each of the Funds, will
generally be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC or TMP residual interest
directly.
In general,
excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions) and (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to
entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income,
and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income. In addition, because the Code provides that excess inclusion income is ineligible for treaty benefits, a regulated investment company must
withhold tax on excess inclusions attributable to its foreign shareholders at a 30% rate of withholding, regardless of any treaty benefits for which a shareholder is otherwise eligible.
Any investment in residual
interests of a CMO that has elected to be treated as a REMIC can create complex tax problems, especially if the Fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders. Under current law, the Fund serves to block UBTI
from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder will recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the
tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in REMIC
residual interests or TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
In addition, special tax
consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT, as
defined in Section 664 of the Code, that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in a
Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the U.S., a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality
thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the
taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the
1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s
interest in the Fund. The Funds have not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a Fund.
If a Fund invests in PFICs,
certain special tax consequences may apply. A PFIC is any foreign corporation in which (i) 75% or more of the gross income for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets (generally by value, but by adjusted tax
basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose includes dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities,
the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active
business and certain income received from related persons. A Fund’s investments in certain PFICs could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds
received from the disposition of shares in the company. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. In addition, certain interest charges may be imposed on the Fund as a result of such distributions.
If a Fund is in a position to
treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), the Fund will be required to include in its gross income its share of the company’s income and net capital gain annually, regardless of whether it receives any
distributions from the company. Alternately, a Fund may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last
day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gain and loss are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may have the effect of accelerating the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increasing the
amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections, therefore, may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement,
which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. A Fund that invests indirectly in PFICs by virtue of the Fund’s investment in other investment companies that qualify as “U.S. persons”
within the meaning of the Code may not make a QEF election; rather, such underlying investment companies investing directly in the PFICs would decide whether to make such election. Furthermore, the IRS recently issued final regulations that
generally treat a Fund’s income inclusion with respect to a PFIC with respect to which the Fund has made a qualified electing fund, or “QEF,” election, as qualifying income for purposes of determining the Fund’s ability to be
subject to tax as a RIC if either if (A) there is a current distribution out of the earnings and profits of the PFIC that are attributable to such income inclusion or (B) such inclusion is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of
investing in stock, securities, or currencies. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.”
Certain Funds have
wholly-owned subsidiaries organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which are classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each, a “Subsidiary”). With respect to such Funds, a Fund may invest a portion of its
assets in its Subsidiary. A foreign corporation, such as a Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless it is deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. It is expected that each Subsidiary will conduct its
activities in a manner so as to meet the requirements of a safe harbor provided under Section 864(b)(2) of the Code under which the Subsidiary may engage in trading in stocks or securities or certain commodities without being deemed to be engaged in
a U.S. trade or business. However, if certain of a Subsidiary’s activities were determined not to be of the type described in the safe harbor (which is not expected), then the activities of the Subsidiary may constitute a U.S. trade or
business, and subject to U.S. taxation as such.
In general, a foreign
corporation, such as a Subsidiary, that does not conduct a U.S. trade or business is nonetheless subject to tax at a flat rate of 30 percent (or lower tax treaty rate), generally payable through withholding, on the gross amount of certain
U.S.-source income that is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. There is presently no tax treaty in force between the U.S. and the Cayman Islands that would reduce this rate of withholding tax. It is not expected that a
Subsidiary will derive meaningful income subject to such withholding tax.
Each Subsidiary will be treated
as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) and the Fund investing in its Subsidiary will be treated as a “U.S. shareholder” of that Subsidiary. As a result, a Fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal
income tax purposes all of its Subsidiary’s “subpart F income,” whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income.” A
Fund’s recognition of its Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to a Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of its previously undistributed
“subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying
income. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income earned by a Fund and such loss cannot be carried forward to offset taxable income of a Fund or the Subsidiary in future periods. The IRS
recently issued final regulations that generally treat a Fund’s income inclusion with respect to a CFC as qualifying income for purposes of determining the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC either if (A) there is a
distribution out of the earnings and profits of the CFC that are attributable to such income inclusion or (B) such inclusion is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies.
The ability of a Fund to invest
directly in commodities, and in certain commodity-related securities and other instruments, is subject to significant limitations in order to enable a Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Code.
Investment in Other Funds
If a Fund invests in shares of
other mutual funds, ETFs or other companies that are taxable as regulated investment companies, as well as certain investments in REITs (collectively, “underlying funds”), its distributable income and gains will normally consist, in
part, of distributions from the underlying funds and gains and losses on the disposition of shares of the underlying funds. To the extent that an underlying fund realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be
able to recognize its share of those losses (so as to offset distributions of net income or capital gains from other underlying funds) until it disposes of shares of the underlying fund. Moreover, even when the Fund does make such a disposition, a
portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as a short-term capital loss or an ordinary deduction. In particular, the Fund will not be able to offset any
capital losses from its dispositions of underlying fund shares against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gain realized by an underlying fund).
In addition, in certain
circumstances, the “wash sale” rules under Section 1091 of the Code may apply to a Fund’s sales of underlying fund shares that have generated losses. A wash sale occurs if shares of an underlying fund are sold by the Fund at a loss
and the Fund acquires substantially identical shares of that same underlying fund 30 days before or after the date of the sale. The wash-sale rules could defer losses in the Fund’s hands on sales of underlying fund shares (to the extent such
sales are wash sales) for extended (and, in certain cases, potentially indefinite) periods of time.
As a result of the foregoing
rules, and certain other special rules, the amount of net investment income and net capital gain that each Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders may be greater than what such amounts would have been had the Fund directly invested in
the securities held by the underlying funds, rather than investing in shares of the underlying funds. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for
dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds.
If a Fund received dividends
from an underlying fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the underlying fund reports such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as
“qualified dividend income,” provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying fund.
Depending on a Fund’s
percentage ownership in an underlying fund, both before and after a redemption, a redemption of shares of an underlying fund by a Fund may cause the Fund to be treated as distribution taxable as a dividend under the Code, to the extent of its
allocable shares of earnings and profits, on the full amount of the distribution instead of receiving capital gain income on the shares of the underlying fund. Such a distribution may be treated as qualified dividend income and thus eligible to be
taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. If qualified dividend income treatment is not available, the distribution may be taxed as ordinary income. This could cause shareholders of the Fund to recognize higher amounts of ordinary
income than if the shareholders had held the shares of the underlying funds directly.
A Fund may elect to pass
through to shareholders foreign tax credits from an underlying fund and exempt-interest dividends from an underlying fund, provided that at least 50% of the Fund’s total assets are invested in other regulated investment companies at the end of
each quarter of the taxable year.
Backup
Withholding
Each Fund
generally is required to backup withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable dividends and other distributions paid to, and the proceeds of share sales, exchanges, or redemptions made by, any individual shareholder who fails
to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to backup withholding. The backup
withholding rules may also apply to distributions that are properly reported as exempt-interest dividends. The backup withholding tax rate is 24%.
Foreign
Shareholders
Shares of
the Funds have not been registered for sale outside of the United States. This SAI is not intended for distribution to prospective investors outside of the United States. The Funds generally do not market or sell shares to investors domiciled
outside of the United States, even, with regard to individuals, if they are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States.
Distributions properly
reported as Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends generally will not be subject to withholding of federal income tax. However, exempt-interest dividends may be subject to backup withholding (as discussed above). In general, dividends
other than Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code (a “foreign person”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income
tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly,
would not be subject to withholding. However, the Fund will not be required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (w) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the
beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (x) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (y) that is within certain foreign countries
that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (z) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign
corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the Fund
(“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year
of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests (as described below)) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such
distributions are properly reported by the Fund (“short-term capital gain dividends”). Depending on the circumstances, a Fund may make reporting of interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends with respect to all, some or
none of its potentially eligible dividends and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from withholding. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund
reports with respect to a payment. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
A beneficial holder of shares
who is a foreign person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends or exempt-interest dividends unless (i) such
gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States or (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods
aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met or (iii) the shares constitute “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) or the Capital
Gain Dividends are attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of USRPIs in accordance with the rules set forth below.
Special rules apply to
distributions to foreign shareholders from a Fund that is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions to the definition thereof described below.
Additionally, special rules apply to the sale of shares in a Fund that is a USRPHC. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds U.S. real property interests (“USRPIs”) — USRPIs are defined as any interest in U.S.
real property or any equity interest in a USRPHC — the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States and
certain other assets. A Fund that holds (directly or indirectly) significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. The special rules discussed in the next paragraph will also generally apply to distributions from a Fund that would be a USRPHC absent
exclusions from USRPI treatment for interests in domestically controlled REITs or regulated investment companies and not-greater-than-10% or interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs or regulated investment companies,
respectively.
In the case
of a Fund that is a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions from the definition of USRPI (described immediately above), distributions by the Fund that are attributable to (a) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund and (b)
distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands will retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund’s
foreign
shareholders. If
the foreign shareholder holds (or has held in the prior year) more than a 5% interest in the Fund, such distributions will be treated as gains “effectively connected” with the conduct of a “U.S. trade or business,” and
subject to tax at graduated rates. Moreover, such shareholders will be required to file a U.S. income tax return for the year in which the gain was recognized and the Fund will be required to withhold 21% of the amount of such distribution. In the
case of all other foreign shareholders (i.e., those whose interest in the Fund did not exceed 5% at any time during the prior year), the USRPI distribution will be treated as ordinary income (regardless of any reporting by the Fund that such
distribution is a short-term capital gain dividend or a Capital Gain Dividend), and the Fund must withhold 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) of the amount of the distribution paid to such foreign shareholder. Foreign shareholders of a Fund are
also subject to “wash sale” rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and -payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.
In addition, a Fund that is a
USRPHC must typically withhold 15% of the amount realized in a redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, and that shareholder must file a U.S. income tax return for the year of the disposition of the USRPI and pay any additional tax due
on the gain. No withholding is generally required with respect to amounts paid in redemption of shares of a Fund if the Fund is a domestically controlled USRPHC or, in certain limited cases, if the Fund (whether or not domestically controlled) holds
substantial investments in regulated investment companies that are domestically controlled USRPHCs.
In order to qualify for any
exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, the foreign investor must comply with special certification and filing requirements
relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an applicable IRS Form W-8 or substitute form). Foreign investors in a Fund should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
If a shareholder is eligible
for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United
States.
A beneficial
holder of shares who is a foreign person may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal tax on income referred to above. Foreign shareholders in a Fund should consult their tax advisors with
respect to the potential application of the above rules.
A Fund is required to withhold
U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury
of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to a Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
Foreign Taxes
Certain Funds may be subject
to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gain) received from sources within foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or
eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of a Fund’s assets at year-end consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata
portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources
their pro rata shares of such taxes. A shareholder’s ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued
thereunder, as a result of which a shareholder may not get a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes. In particular, shareholders must hold their Fund shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at
least 15 additional days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a given dividend. Shareholders who do not itemize on their federal income tax returns may claim a credit
(but no deduction) for such foreign taxes. Any foreign taxes withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest with respect to loaned securities will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to
shareholders.
If a Fund
does not make the above election or if more than 50% of its assets at the end of the year do not consist of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund’s net income will be reduced by the foreign taxes paid or withheld. In such cases,
shareholders will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes.
The foregoing is only a general
description of the treatment of foreign source income or foreign taxes under the U.S. federal income tax laws. Because the availability of a credit or deduction depends on the particular circumstances of each shareholder, shareholders are advised to
consult their own tax advisors.
Exempt-Interest
Dividends
Some of the
Funds intend to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends to their respective shareholders. In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, at least 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets must consist of tax-exempt municipal bonds at
the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year. An exempt-interest dividend is that part of a dividend that is properly designated as an exempt-interest dividend and that consists of interest received by a Fund on such tax-exempt
securities. Shareholders of Funds that pay exempt-interest dividends would not incur any regular federal income tax on the amount of exempt-interest dividends received by them from a Fund, but an investment in such a Fund may result in liability for
federal and state alternative minimum taxation and may be subject to state and local taxes.
Interest on indebtedness
incurred or continued by a shareholder, whether a corporation or an individual, to purchase or carry shares of a Fund is not deductible to the extent it relates to exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder from that Fund. Any loss
incurred on the sale or redemption of a Fund’s shares held for six months or less may be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares.
Interest on certain tax-exempt
bonds that are private activity bonds within the meaning of the Code is treated as a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, and any such interest received by a Fund and distributed to shareholders will be so treated for
purposes of any alternative minimum tax liability of shareholders to the extent of the dividend’s proportionate share of a Fund’s income consisting of such interest.
The exemption from federal
income tax for exempt-interest dividends does not necessarily result in exemption for such dividends under the income or other tax laws of any state or local authority. Shareholders that receive social security or railroad retirement benefits should
consult their tax advisors to determine what effect, if any, an investment in a Fund may have on the federal taxation of their benefits.
From time to time legislation
may be introduced or litigation may arise that would change the tax treatment of exempt-interest dividends. Such legislation or litigation may have the effect of raising the state or other taxes payable by shareholders on such dividends.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisors for the current federal, state and local law on exempt-interest dividends.
State and Local Tax Matters
Depending on the residence of
the shareholders for tax purposes, distributions may also be subject to state and local taxation. Rules of state and local taxation regarding qualified dividend income, ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends from regulated investment
companies may differ from the rules of U.S. federal income tax in many respects. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Funds.
Most states provide that a
regulated investment company may pass through (without restriction) to its shareholders state and local income tax exemptions available to direct owners of certain types of U.S. government securities (such as U.S. Treasury obligations). Thus, for
residents of these states, distributions derived from a Fund’s investment in certain types of U.S. government securities should be free from state and local income taxation to the extent that the interest income from such investments would
have been exempt from state and local taxes if such securities had been held directly by the respective shareholders. Certain states, however, do not allow a regulated investment company to pass through to its shareholders the state and local income
tax exemptions available to direct owners of certain types of U.S. government securities unless a Fund holds at least a required amount of U.S. government securities. Accordingly, for residents of these states, distributions derived from a
Fund’s investment in certain types of U.S. government securities may not be entitled to the exemptions from state and local income taxes that would be available if the shareholders had purchased U.S. government securities directly. The
exemption from state and local income taxes does not preclude states from asserting other taxes on the ownership of U.S. government securities. To the extent that a Fund invests to a substantial degree in U.S. government securities which are subject
to favorable state and local tax treatment, shareholders of the Fund will be notified as to the extent to which distributions from the Fund are attributable to interest on such securities.
Tax
Shelter Reporting Regulations
If a shareholder realizes a
loss on disposition of a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886.
Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception
from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is
proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
General Considerations
The federal income tax
discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the specific federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of shares of each of the Funds, as well as the
effects of state, local and foreign tax law and any proposed tax law changes.
TRUSTEES
The names of the Trustees of
the Trusts, together with information regarding their year of birth, the year each Trustee first became a Board member of one of the Trusts, the year each Trustee first became a Board member of any of the heritage J.P. Morgan Funds or heritage One
Group Mutual Funds, principal occupations and other board memberships, including those in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities Exchange
Act”) or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, are shown below. The contact address for each of the Trustees is 277 Park Avenue, New
York, NY 10172.
Name
(Year of Birth; Positions with the Funds since) |
|
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years |
|
Number
of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(1) |
|
Other
Directorships Held During the Past 5 Years |
John
F. Finn (1947); Chair since 2020; Trustee of the Trusts since 2005; Trustee of heritage One Group Mutual Funds since 1998. |
|
Chairman,
Gardner, Inc. (supply chain management company serving industrial and consumer markets) (serving in various roles 1974–present). |
|
128
|
|
Director,
Greif, Inc. (GEF) (industrial package products and services) (2007–present); Trustee, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (1988– present); Director, Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) (1994–2014). |
Name
(Year of Birth; Positions with the Funds since) |
|
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years |
|
Number
of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(1) |
|
Other
Directorships Held During the Past 5 Years |
Stephen
P. Fisher (1959); Trustee of the Trusts since 2018. |
|
Retired;
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NYLIFE Distributors LLC (registered broker-dealer) (serving in various roles 2008-2013); Chairman, NYLIM Service Company LLC (transfer agent) (2008-2017); New York Life Investment Management LLC (registered
investment adviser) (serving in various roles 2005-2017); Chairman, IndexIQ Advisors LLC (registered investment adviser for ETFs) (2014-2017); President, MainStay VP Funds Trust (2007-2017), MainStay DefinedTerm Municipal Opportunities Fund
(2011-2017) and MainStay Funds Trust (2007-2017) (registered investment companies). |
|
128
|
|
Honors
Program Advisory Board Member, The Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, The City University of New York (2017-present). |
Kathleen
M. Gallagher (1958); Trustee of the Trusts since 2018. |
|
Retired;
Chief Investment Officer – Benefit Plans, Ford Motor Company (serving in various roles 1985-2016). |
|
128
|
|
Non-Executive
Director, Legal & General Investment Management (Holdings) (2018-present); Non-Executive Director, Legal & General Investment Management America (financial services and insurance) (2017-present); Advisory Board Member, Global Fiduciary
Solutions, State Street Global Advisors (2017-present); Member, Client Advisory Council, Financial Engines, LLC (registered investment adviser) (2011-2016); Director, Ford Pension Funds Investment Management Ltd. (2007-2016). |
Name
(Year of Birth; Positions with the Funds since) |
|
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years |
|
Number
of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(1) |
|
Other
Directorships Held During the Past 5 Years |
Dennis
P. Harrington (1950); Trustee of the Trusts since 2017. |
|
Retired;
Partner, Deloitte LLP (serving in various roles 1984– 2012). |
|
128
|
|
None.
|
Frankie
D. Hughes (1952); Trustee of the Trusts since 2008. |
|
President,
Ashland Hughes Properties (property management) (2014–present); President and Chief Investment Officer, Hughes Capital Management, Inc. (fixed income asset management) (1993– 2014). |
|
128
|
|
None.
|
Raymond
Kanner (1953); Trustee of the Trusts since 2017. |
|
Retired;
Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, IBM Retirement Funds (2007–2016). |
|
128
|
|
Advisory
Board Member, Penso Advisors, LLC (2020-present); Advisory Board Member, Los Angeles Capital (2018-present); Advisory Board Member, State Street Global Advisors Global Fiduciary Solutions Board (2017-present); Acting Executive Director, Committee
on Investment of Employee Benefit Assets (CIEBA) (2016-2017); Advisory Board Member, Betterment for Business (robo advisor) (2016– 2017); Advisory Board Member, BlueStar Indexes (index creator) (2013–2017); Director, Emerging Markets
Growth Fund (registered investment company) (1997-2016); Member, Russell Index Client Advisory Board (2001– 2015). |
Name
(Year of Birth; Positions with the Funds since) |
|
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years |
|
Number
of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(1) |
|
Other
Directorships Held During the Past 5 Years |
Mary
E. Martinez (1960); Vice Chair since 2021; Trustee of the Trusts since 2013. |
|
Associate,
Special Properties, a Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate (2010– present); Managing Director, Bank of America (asset management) (2007– 2008); Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Trust Asset Management, U.S. Trust Company
(asset management) (2003–2007); President, Excelsior Funds (registered investment companies) (2004–2005). |
|
128
|
|
None.
|
Marilyn
McCoy (1948); Trustee of the Trusts since 2005; Trustee of heritage One Group Mutual Funds since 1999. |
|
Vice
President, Administration and Planning, Northwestern University (1985– present). |
|
128
|
|
None.
|
Dr.
Robert A. Oden, Jr. (1946); Trustee of the Trusts since 2005; Trustee of heritage One Group Mutual Funds since 1997. |
|
Retired;
President, Carleton College (2002–2010); President, Kenyon College (1995–2002). |
|
128
|
|
Trustee
and Vice Chair, Trout Unlimited (2017-present); Trustee, American Museum of Fly Fishing (2013– present); Vice Chair, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (2011– present); Trustee, American University in Cairo (1999–2014).
|
Marian
U. Pardo (1946); Trustee of the Trusts since 2013. |
|
Managing
Director and Founder, Virtual Capital Management LLC (investment consulting) (2007– present); Managing Director, Credit Suisse Asset Management (portfolio manager) (2003–2006). |
|
128
|
|
President
and Member, Board of Governors, Columbus Citizens Foundation (not-for-profit supporting philanthropic and cultural programs) (2006–present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
A Fund Complex
means two or more registered investment companies that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services or have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated
person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies. The J.P. Morgan Funds Complex for which the Board of Trustees serves currently includes ten registered investment companies (128 J.P. Morgan Funds).
|
Each
Trustee may serve for an indefinite term, subject to the Trusts’ current retirement policy, which is age 78 for all Trustees. The Board of Trustees decides upon general policies and is responsible for overseeing the business affairs of the
Trusts.
Qualifications of Trustees
The Governance Committee and
the Board consider the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills of each Trustee to determine whether the person should serve as a Trustee of the Trusts. The Governance Committee and the Board consider the commitment that each Trustee has
demonstrated in serving on the Board, including the significant time each Trustee devotes to preparing for meetings and active engagement and participation at Board meetings. The Governance Committee and the Board consider the character of each
Trustee and each Trustee’s commitment to executing his or her duties with diligence, honesty and integrity. The Governance Committee and the Board consider the contributions that each Trustee makes to the Board in terms of experience,
leadership, independence and the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other Board members.
The Governance Committee also
considers each Trustee’s significant and relevant experience and knowledge with respect to registered investment companies and asset management, including the experience that each of the Trustees has gained as a result of his or her service on
the J.P. Morgan Funds Board. Additionally, the Governance Committee and the Board consider each Trustee’s experience with respect to reviewing the Funds’ agreements with service providers, including the Funds’ investment advisers,
custodian, and fund accountant.
The Governance Committee and
the Board consider the experience and contribution of each Trustee in the context of the Board’s leadership and committee structure. The Board has six committees including: the Audit and Valuation Committee, the Compliance Committee, the
Governance Committee, the Equity Committee, the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee, and the Fixed Income Committee. Each Trustee, except the Chairman of the Board, serves on one of the Board’s investment committees, allowing the
Board to effectively evaluate information for the Funds in the complex in a focused and disciplined manner.
The Governance Committee also
considers the operational efficiencies achieved by having a single Board for the Funds and the other registered investment companies overseen by the Adviser and its affiliates, as well as the extensive experience of certain Trustees in serving on
Boards for registered investment companies advised by subsidiaries or affiliates of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and/or Bank One Corporation (known as “heritage J.P. Morgan Funds” or “heritage One Group Mutual Funds”).
In reaching its conclusion that
each Trustee should serve as a Trustee of the Trusts, the Board also considered the following additional specific qualifications, contributions and experience of the following Trustees:
John F. Finn. Mr. Finn has served as the Chair of the Board since January 2020 and is also Chair of the Governance Committee. He has served as a member of the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2005 and previously was a member of the
heritage One Group Mutual Funds Board since 1998. Mr. Finn is the Chairman at Gardner, Inc., a supply chain management company that serves industrial and consumer markets. Mr. Finn has experience with board functions through his current positions as
a Director for Greif, Inc. (industrial package products and services) and as a Trustee for Columbus Association for the Performing Arts and through his prior position as a Director for Cardinal Health, Inc., which he held from 1994 to 2014. Until
June 2014, Mr. Finn was the head of the J.P. Morgan Funds Board’s Strategic Planning Working Group, comprised of Independent Trustees, which worked with the administrator to the Trusts on initiatives related to efficiency and effectiveness of
Board materials and meetings.
Stephen P. Fisher. Mr. Fisher has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2018 and is also Chair of the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Compliance Committee and the Money Market and
Alternative Products Committee. He retired after a 30-year career in the investment management industry, including most recently serving as President of New York Life Investment Management LLC (NYLIM) and the MainStay Funds group. In addition, until
his retirement, he served as Chairman of NYLIM Service Company LLC (a transfer agent), Chairman and CEO of NYLIFE Distributor LLC (a registered broker-dealer) and Chairman of IndexIQ Advisors LLC (an investment adviser for the IndexIQ ETFs). As
President of NYLIM, Mr. Fisher oversaw all operational aspects of NYLIM’s mutual fund and ETF clients, which included functioning as a liaison to the boards of the funds. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Fisher was involved in governance matters
at NYLIM, including serving on the NYLIM Investment Governance Committee, the NYLIM Risk Steering Committee and the NYLIM Compliance Committee.
Kathleen M. Gallagher. Ms. Gallagher has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2018. Ms. Gallagher is chair of the Audit and Valuation Committee and a member of the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. She retired after a
30-year career in the finance industry, including most
recently as the
Chief Investment Officer – Benefit Plans at Ford Motor Company (Ford), where she led Ford’s global pension de-risking investment strategy. In addition, Ms. Gallagher served as the Director of Global Risk Management, Corporate Treasury at
Ford and as the Vice President of Finance at Ford Australia. During Ms. Gallagher’s career at Ford, she gained experience managing investment management and service provider relationships, and she frequently worked with Ford’s Board of
Directors to recommend investment strategies and review performance.
Dennis P. Harrington. Mr. Harrington has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2017. Mr. Harrington is a member of the Audit and Valuation Committee and of the Equity Committee. He retired after a 40-year career in public accounting
with Deloitte LLP, including service as the Global Lead Client Service Partner for major financial service company clients. Mr. Harrington has extensive experience servicing banking, securities, asset management and insurance clients, including
serving as the engagement partner on mutual fund companies.
Two family members of Mr.
Harrington are employed as a partner and managing director, respectively, of the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. Such firm has represented to the Board that those family members are not involved in the audit of the
Funds’ financial statements and do not provide other services to the Funds. The Board has concluded that such association does not interfere with Mr. Harrington’s exercise of independent judgment as an Independent Trustee.
Frankie D. Hughes. Ms. Hughes has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2008. Ms. Hughes is a member of the Compliance Committee and the Fixed Income Committee. Ms. Hughes has experience in the asset management industry, previously
serving as President and Chief Investment Officer of Hughes Capital Management, Inc. from 1993-2014. Ms. Hughes is currently the President of Ashland Hughes Properties, a property management company, and she has held such position since
2014.
Raymond
Kanner. Mr. Kanner has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2017. Mr. Kanner is Chair of the Equity Committee and a member of the Audit and Valuation Committee. Mr. Kanner retired after a 31-year career in the
finance industry including most recently as the Chief Investment Officer for the IBM Retirement Funds. He started his career with IBM in 1978, joined IBM’s Credit Corporation in 1985 and moved to the Retirement Funds in 1993. During his career
at IBM, Mr. Kanner gained experience overseeing substantial investments in all asset classes, including equities, fixed income and alternatives. Since his retirement and until 2017, he served as the Acting Executive Director of the Committee on
Investment of Employee Benefit Assets (CIEBA). He previously served as a director of an emerging markets equity fund and as an advisory board member to Betterment for Business and to BlueStar Indexes. He currently serves as an advisory board member
for State Street Global Advisors’ Global Fiduciary Solutions business and for Los Angeles Capital. Mr. Kanner served as a member of the Compliance Committee and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee until December 31,
2018.
A family
member of Mr. Kanner is employed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, which is affiliated with JPMIM and JPMDS. In that capacity, this employee provides services to various JPMorgan affiliates including JPMIM and JPMDS and for which JPMIM and JPMDS bear some
portion of the expense thereof.
Mary E. Martinez. Ms. Martinez has served as the Vice Chair of the Board since January 2021 and has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2013. Ms. Martinez is a member of the Governance Committee and the Fixed Income
Committee and previously served as Chair of the Money Markets and Alternative Products Committee from 2017 to 2020. She has over 25 years of experience in asset management, wealth management and private banking services. She served as Managing
Director of Asset Management at Bank of America (which acquired U.S. Trust Company (“U.S. Trust”) in 2007). Ms. Martinez served in various roles at U.S. Trust, including President of the Excelsior Funds, member of U.S. Trust’s
Executive Management Committee, Chief Executive Officer and President of U.S. Trust Private Bank, and Chief Operating Officer of Asset Management where she had responsibility for product development, management, infrastructure and operating
oversight. Prior to that she was Head of Products/Services/Strategic-Planning-Alternative & Asset/Wealth Management at Bessemer Trust Company and a member of their Executive Management Committee. Ms. Martinez is a real estate investor/adviser
and a Realtor Associate with Special Properties, a Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate.
Marilyn McCoy. Ms. McCoy has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2005 and previously was a member of the heritage One Group Mutual Funds Board since 1999. She has served on the boards of the Pegasus Funds and the Prairie Funds.
Ms. McCoy is a member of the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee and the Governance Committee. Ms. McCoy has served as the Vice President of Administration and Planning at Northwestern University for over 30 years, where she manages
strategic
planning, program
review, institutional research, executive level searches, and other programs and initiatives. Ms. McCoy also oversees Northwestern University’s Board of Trustees function and supports the University’s President and Office.
Dr. Robert A. Oden Jr. Dr. Oden has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since 2005 and previously was a member of the heritage One Group Mutual Funds Board since 1997. Dr. Oden is the Chair of the Fixed Income Committee and a member of the
Governance Committee. He retired after a long career in the education industry, previously serving as the President of Carleton College from 2002 to 2010 and as the President of Kenyon College from 1995 to 2002. Prior to that, Dr. Oden was the
Headmaster of the Hotchkiss School from 1989 to 1995 and a Professor at Dartmouth College from 1975 to 1989. Dr. Oden currently serves as a Trustee of Trout Unlimited, a Trustee and Vice Chair of the American Museum of Fly Fishing and as Vice Chair
of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and he previously served as a Trustee of American University in Cairo.
Marian U. Pardo. Ms. Pardo has served on the J.P. Morgan Funds Board since February 2013. Ms. Pardo is Chair of the Compliance Committee and a member of the Equity Committee. Ms. Pardo has been in the financial services industry since
1968, with experience in investment management, banking and lending. She is a Managing Director and founder of Virtual Capital Management LLC, an investment consulting firm. She has extensive experience with respect to portfolio management, the J.P.
Morgan Funds’ investment advisory business and banking and investment management, and previously served as a portfolio manager for equity funds across the capitalization spectrum.
In connection with prior
employment with JPMorgan Chase, Ms. Pardo was the recipient of non-qualified pension plan payments from JPMorgan Chase in the amount of approximately $2,055 per month, which she irrevocably waived effective January 1, 2013, and deferred compensation
payments from JPMorgan Chase in the amount of approximately $7,294 per year, which ended in January 2013. In addition, Ms. Pardo receives payments from a fully-funded qualified plan, which is not an obligation of JPMorgan Chase.
Board Leadership Structure and Oversight
The Board has structured itself
in a manner that allows it to effectively perform its oversight function. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee, which allows him to carry out his leadership duties as Chair with objectivity.
In addition, the Board has
adopted a committee structure that allows it to effectively perform its oversight function for all of the Funds in the complex. As described under “Qualifications of Trustees” and “Standing Committees,” the Board has six
committees: the Audit and Valuation Committee, the Compliance Committee, the Governance Committee, the Equity Committee, the Fixed Income Committee and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. The Board has determined that the leadership
and committee structure is appropriate for the Funds and allows the Board to effectively and efficiently evaluate issues that impact the Funds as a whole as well as issues that are unique to each Fund.
The Board and the Committees
take an active role in overseeing the risk associated with registered investment companies including investment risk, compliance and valuation. In addition, the Board receives regular reports from the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”),
the Adviser, the Administrator, and the internal audit department of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Chief Risk Officer of Investment Management Americas and Alternatives of J.P. Morgan Asset Management1 (“JPMAM”) including reports concerning operational controls that are designed to address market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk among
others. The Board also receives regular reports from personnel responsible for JPMAM’s business resiliency and disaster recovery.
In addition, the Board, the
Equity Committee, the Fixed Income Committee, and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee meet regularly with representatives of the Adviser and an independent consultant to review and evaluate the ongoing performance of the Funds. Each
of these three Committees reports these reviews to the full Board. The Audit and Valuation Committee is responsible for oversight of the performance of the Fund’s audit, accounting and financial reporting policies, practices and internal
controls and valuation policies, assisting the Board in its oversight of the valuation of the Funds’ securities by the Adviser, overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Funds’ independent audit and the financial statements of the
Funds, and acting as a liaison between the Funds’ independent registered public
1 |
J.P. Morgan Asset
Management is the marketing name for the asset management businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Those businesses include, but are not limited to, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. |
accounting firm
and the full Board. The Compliance Committee is responsible for oversight of the Funds’ compliance with legal, regulatory and contractual requirements and compliance with policy and procedures. The Governance Committee is responsible for,
among other things, oversight of matters relating to the Funds’ corporate governance obligations, Fund service providers and litigation. At each quarterly meeting, each of the Governance Committee, the Audit and Valuation Committee and the
Compliance Committee report their committee proceedings to the full Board. This Committee structure allows the Board to efficiently evaluate a large amount of material and effectively fulfill its oversight function. Annually, the Board considers the
efficiency of this committee structure.
Additional information about
each of the Committees is included below in “Standing Committees.”
Standing Committees
The Board of Trustees has six
standing committees: the Audit and Valuation Committee, the Compliance Committee, the Governance Committee, the Equity Committee, the Fixed Income Committee, and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee.
The members of each Committee are set forth
below:
Name
of Committee |
|
Members
|
|
Committee
Chair |
Audit
and Valuation Committee |
|
Ms.
Gallagher Mr. Harrington Mr. Kanner |
|
Ms.
Gallagher |
Compliance
Committee |
|
Ms.
Pardo Mr. Fisher Ms. Hughes |
|
Ms. Pardo
|
Governance
Committee |
|
Mr.
Finn Ms. Martinez Ms. McCoy Dr. Oden |
|
Mr. Finn
|
Equity
Committee |
|
Mr.
Kanner Mr. Harrington Ms. Pardo |
|
Mr. Kanner
|
Fixed
Income Committee |
|
Dr.
Oden Ms. Hughes Ms. Martinez |
|
Dr. Oden
|
Money
Market and Alternative Products Committee |
|
Mr.
Fisher Ms. Gallagher Ms. McCoy |
|
Mr. Fisher
|
Audit
and Valuation Committee. The purposes of the Audit and Valuation Committee are to: (i) appoint and determine compensation of the Funds’ independent accountants; (ii) evaluate the independence
of the Funds’ independent accountants; (iii) oversee the performance of the Funds’ audit, accounting and financial reporting policies, practices and internal controls and valuation policies; (iv) approve non-audit services, as required
by the statutes and regulations administered by the SEC, including the 1940 Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; (v) assist the Board in its oversight of the valuation of the Funds’ securities by the Administrator, Adviser and any
sub-adviser, as applicable; (vi) oversee the quality and objectivity of the Funds’ independent audit and the financial statements of the Funds; and (vii) act as a liaison between the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm
and the full Board. The Audit and Valuation Committee has delegated responsibilities to the Chair of the Committee or any designated member of the Committee to respond to inquiries on valuation matters and that occur between meetings of the
Committee when the Funds’ valuation procedures or law require Board or Committee action, but it is impracticable or impossible to hold a meeting of the entire Board or Committee.
Compliance Committee. The primary purposes of the Compliance Committee are to (i) oversee the Funds’ compliance with legal and regulatory and contractual requirements and the Funds’ compliance policies and
procedures; and (ii) consider the appointment, compensation and removal of the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer.
Governance Committee. The members of the Governance Committee are each Independent Trustees of the J.P. Morgan Funds. The duties of the Governance Committee include, but are not limited to, (i) selection and nomination of
persons for election or appointment as Trustees; (ii) periodic review of the compensation payable to the Independent Trustees; (iii) establishment of Independent Trustee expense policies; (iv) periodic review and evaluation of the functioning of the
Board and its committees; (v) with
respect to the
JPMT II Funds, appointment and removal of the Funds’ Senior Officer, and approval of compensation for the Funds’ Senior Officer and retention and compensation of the Senior Officer’s staff and consultants; (vi) selection of
independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees and legal counsel to the Funds; (vii) oversight of ongoing litigation affecting the Funds, the Adviser or the Independent Trustees; (viii) oversight of regulatory issues or deficiencies affecting
the Funds (except financial matters considered by the Audit Committee); and (ix) oversight and review of matters with respect to service providers to the Funds (except the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm). When evaluating
a person as a potential nominee to serve as an Independent Trustee, the Governance Committee may consider, among other factors, (i) whether or not the person is “independent” and whether the person is otherwise qualified under applicable
laws and regulations to serve as a Trustee; (ii) whether or not the person is willing to serve, and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of an Independent Trustee; (iii) the contribution that the person can
make to the Board and the J.P. Morgan Funds, with consideration being given to the person’s business experience, education and such other factors as the Committee may consider relevant; (iv) the character and integrity of the person; (v) the
desirable personality traits, including independence, leadership and the ability to work with the other members of the Board; and (vi) to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act, such recommendations from management as are deemed appropriate. The
process of identifying nominees involves the consideration of candidates recommended by one or more of the following: current Independent Trustees, officers, shareholders and other sources that the Governance Committee deems appropriate, including
the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. The Governance Committee will review nominees recommended to the Board by shareholders and will evaluate such nominees in the same manner as it evaluates nominees identified by the Governance Committee. Nominee
recommendations may be submitted to the Secretary of the Trusts at each Trust’s principal business address.
Equity Committee, Fixed Income
Committee and Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. Each member of the Board, other than Mr. Finn, serves on one of the following committees, which are divided by asset type: the Equity
Committee, the Fixed Income Committee or the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. The function of the Committees is to assist the Board in the oversight of the investment management services provided by the Adviser to the Funds, as well
as any sub-adviser to the Funds. The primary purposes of each Committee are to (i) assist the Board in its oversight of the investment management services provided by the Adviser to the Funds designated for review by each Committee; and (ii) review
and make recommendations to the Board concerning the approval of proposed new or continued advisory and distribution arrangements for the Funds or for new funds. The full Board may delegate to the applicable Committee from time to time the authority
to make Board level decisions on an interim basis when it is impractical to convene a meeting of the full Board. Each of the Committees receives reports concerning investment management topics, concerns or exceptions with respect to particular Funds
that the Committee is assigned to oversee, and works to facilitate the understanding by the Board of particular issues related to investment management of Funds reviewed by the applicable Committee.
For details of the number of times
each of the four standing committees met during the most recent fiscal year, see “TRUSTEES — Standing Committees” in Part I of this SAI.
For details of the dollar range of
equity securities owned by each Trustee in the Funds, see “TRUSTEES — Ownership of Securities” in Part I of this SAI.
Trustee Compensation
The Trustees instituted a
Deferred Compensation Plan for Eligible Trustees (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) pursuant to which the Trustees are permitted to defer part or all of their compensation. Amounts deferred are deemed invested in shares of one or more
series of JPMT I, JPMT II, JPMT IV, Undiscovered Managers Funds, JPMFMFG, and JPMMFIT, as selected by the Trustee from time to time, to be used to measure the performance of a Trustee’s deferred compensation account. Amounts deferred under the
Deferred Compensation Plan will be deemed to be invested in Class I Shares of the identified funds, unless Class I Shares are not available, in which case the amounts will be deemed to be invested in Class A Shares. A Trustee’s deferred
compensation account will be paid at such times as elected by the Trustee, subject to certain mandatory payment provisions in the Deferred Compensation Plan (e.g., death of a Trustee). Deferral and payment elections under the Deferred Compensation
Plan are subject to strict requirements for modification.
Each Declaration of Trust
provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust, unless, as to liability to the Trust or
its shareholders, it is finally adjudicated
that they engaged
in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in their offices or with respect to any matter unless it is finally adjudicated that they did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that their
actions were in the best interest of the Trust. In the case of settlement, such indemnification will not be provided unless it has been determined by a court or other body approving the settlement or disposition, or by a reasonable determination
based upon a review of readily available facts, by vote of a majority of disinterested Trustees or in a written opinion of independent counsel, that such officers or Trustees have not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of their duties.
For details of Trustee compensation
paid by the Funds, including deferred compensation, see “TRUSTEES — Trustee Compensation” in Part I of this SAI.
OFFICERS
The Trusts’ executive
officers (listed below) generally are employees of the Adviser or one of its affiliates. The officers conduct and supervise the business operations of the Trusts. The officers hold office until a successor has been elected and duly qualified. The
Trusts have no employees. The names of the officers of the Funds, together with their year of birth, information regarding their positions held with the Trusts and principal occupations are shown below. The contact address for each of the officers,
unless otherwise noted, is 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172.
Name
(Year of Birth), Positions Held with the Trusts (Since) |
|
Principal
Occupations During Past 5 Years |
Brian
S. Shlissel (1964), President and Principal Executive Officer (2016) |
|
Managing
Director and Chief Administrative Officer for J.P. Morgan pooled vehicles, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) (from 2014 to present); Managing Director and Head of Mutual Fund Services, Allianz Global
Investors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Global Investors Mutual Funds and PIMCO Closed-End Funds (from 1999 to 2014) |
Timothy
J. Clemens (1975), Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (2018) |
|
Executive
Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) since February 2016; Vice President, JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc. from October 2013 to January 2016; Chief Financial Officer and Head of Valuation,
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC (previously Artio Global Management) from 2009 to September 2013. |
Gregory
S. Samuels (1980), Secretary (2019)* (formerly Assistant Secretary since 2010) |
|
Executive
Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase since February 2014; formerly Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase from 2010. |
Stephen
M. Ungerman (1953), Chief Compliance Officer (2005) |
|
Managing
Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Mr. Ungerman has been with JPMorgan Chase & Co. since 2000. |
Elizabeth
A. Davin (1964), Assistant Secretary (2005)** |
|
Executive
Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase since February 2012; formerly Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase from 2005 until February 2012; Senior Counsel, JPMorgan Chase (formerly Bank One Corporation) from
2004 to 2005. |
Jessica
K. Ditullio (1962), Assistant Secretary (2005)** |
|
Executive
Director and Assistant General Counsel. Ms. Ditullio has been with JPMorgan Chase (formerly Bank One Corporation) since 1990. |
Anthony
Geron (1971), Assistant Secretary (2018)* |
|
Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase since September 2018; Lead Director and Counsel, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company from 2015 to 2018 and Senior Director and Counsel, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company from 2014 to 2015;
Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (law firm) from 2007 to 2014. |
Carmine
Lekstutis (1980), Assistant Secretary (2011)* |
|
Executive
Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase since February 2015; formerly Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase from 2011 to February 2015. |
Name
(Year of Birth), Positions Held with the Trusts (Since) |
|
Principal
Occupations During Past 5 Years |
Zachary
E. Vonnegut-Gabovitch (1986), Assistant Secretary (2017)* |
|
Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase since September 2016; Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (law firm) from 2012 to 2016. |
Michael
M. D’Ambrosio (1969), Assistant Treasurer (2012) |
|
Managing
Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) since May 2014; formerly Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. from 2012 to May 2014. |
Michael
Mannarino (1985), Assistant Treasurer (2020) |
|
Vice
President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) since 2014. |
Joseph
Parascondola (1963), Assistant Treasurer (2011)* |
|
Vice
President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) since August 2006. |
Jeffrey
D. House (1972), Assistant Treasurer (2017)** |
|
Vice
President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) since July 2006. |
Gillian
I. Sands (1969), Assistant Treasurer (2012)* |
|
Vice
President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) from September 2012; Assistant Treasurer, Wells Fargo Funds Management (from 2007 to 2009). |
Shannon
Gaines (1977), Assistant Treasurer (2018)** |
|
Vice
President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) since January 2014. |
Aleksandr
Fleytekh (1972), Assistant Treasurer (2019)* |
|
Vice
President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc.) since February 2012. |
*
|
The contact address
for the officer is 4 New York Plaza, New York, NY 10004. |
**
|
The contact address
for the officer is 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240 |
For details of the percentage of
shares of any class of each Fund owned by the officers and Trustees, as a group, see “SHARE OWNERSHIP — Trustees and Officers” in Part I of this SAI.
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS
Pursuant to investment
advisory agreements, JPMIM serves as investment adviser to the Funds. J.P. Morgan Private Investments, Inc. serves as sub-adviser to certain funds pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement with JPMIM. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management,
Inc. serves as sub-adviser for the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with JPMIM.
The Trust’s Shares are
not sponsored, endorsed or guaranteed by, and do not constitute obligations or deposits of JPMorgan Chase, any bank affiliate of JPMIM or any other bank, and are not insured by the FDIC or issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its
agencies.
For details of
the investment advisory fees paid under an applicable advisory agreement, see “INVESTMENT ADVISER — Investment Advisory Fees” in Part I of the SAI for the respective Fund.
For details of the dollar range
of shares of each Fund (excluding Money Market Funds) beneficially owned by the portfolio managers who serve on a team that manages such Fund, see “PORTFOLIO MANAGERS — Portfolio Managers’ Other Accounts Managed” in Part I of
this SAI.
J.P. Morgan
Investment Management Inc (“JPMIM”). JPMIM serves as investment adviser to certain Funds pursuant to the investment advisory agreements between JPMIM and certain of the Trusts (the “JPMIM Advisory
Agreements”). Effective October 1, 2003, JPMIM became a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Asset Management Holdings Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (“JPMorgan Chase”). Prior to October 1,
2003, JPMIM was a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase, a publicly traded bank holding company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware which was formed from the merger of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated with and into The Chase
Manhattan Corporation.
JPMIM is a registered investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. JPMIM is located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179.
Under the JPMIM Advisory
Agreements, JPMIM provides investment advisory services to certain Funds, which include managing the purchase, retention and disposition of such Funds’ investments. JPMIM may delegate its responsibilities to a sub-adviser. Any subadvisory
agreements must be approved by the applicable Trust’s Board of Trustees and the applicable Fund’s shareholders, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
Under separate agreements,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, JPMIM and JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. (“JPMDS”) provide certain custodial, fund accounting, recordkeeping and administrative services to the Trusts and the Funds and shareholder services for the Trusts.
JPMDS is the shareholder servicing agent and the distributor for certain Funds. JPMorgan Chase Bank, JPMIM and JPMDS are each subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase and affiliates of the Advisers. See the “Custodian,”
“Administrator,” “Shareholder Servicing” and “Distributor” sections.
Under the terms of the JPMIM
Advisory Agreements, the investment advisory services JPMIM provides to certain Funds are not exclusive. JPMIM is free to and does render similar investment advisory services to others. JPMIM serves as investment adviser to personal investors and
other investment companies and acts as fiduciary for trusts, estates and employee benefit plans. Certain of the assets of trusts and estates under management are invested in common trust funds for which JPMIM serves as trustee. The accounts which
are managed or advised by JPMIM have varying investment objectives, and JPMIM invests assets of such accounts in investments substantially similar to, or the same as, those which are expected to constitute the principal investments of certain Funds.
Such accounts are supervised by employees of JPMIM who may also be acting in similar capacities for the Funds. See “Portfolio Transactions.”
The Funds are managed by
employees of JPMIM who, in acting for their customers, including the Funds, do not discuss their investment decisions with any personnel of JPMorgan Chase or any personnel of other divisions of JPMIM or with any of their affiliated persons, with the
exception of certain other investment management affiliates of JPMorgan Chase which execute transactions on behalf of the Funds.
As compensation for the
services rendered and related expenses, such as salaries of advisory personnel borne by JPMIM or a predecessor, under the JPMIM Advisory Agreements, the applicable Trusts, on behalf of the Funds, have agreed to pay JPMIM a fee, which is computed
daily and may be paid monthly, equal to the annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets as described in the applicable Prospectuses.
The JPMIM Advisory Agreements
continue in effect for annual periods beyond October 31 of each year only if specifically approved thereafter annually in the same manner as the Distribution Agreement; except that for new funds, the initial approval will continue for up to two
years, after which annual approvals are required. See the “Distributor” section. The JPMIM Advisory Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned and are terminable at any time without penalty by a vote of a majority of the
Trustees, or by a vote of the holders of a majority of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), on 60 days’ written notice to JPMIM and by JPMIM on 90 days’ written notice to the Trusts (60 days with
respect to the International Research Enhanced Equity Fund, Mid Cap Value Fund and Growth Advantage Fund). The continuation of the JPMIM Advisory Agreements was last approved by the Board of Trustees at its meeting in August 2019.
The JPMIM Advisory Agreements
provide that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of the respective investment advisory agreement, except a loss resulting from willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder, or, with respect to all such Funds except the Mid Cap Value Fund, a
loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services.
Prior to January 1, 2010,
JPMIA served as investment adviser to certain JPMT II Funds pursuant to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between JPMIA and JPMT II dated August 12, 2004 (the “JPMT II Advisory Agreement”). On July 1, 2004, Bank One
Corporation, the former indirect corporate parent of JPMIA, merged into J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (now officially known as JPMorgan Chase & Co.). On that date, JPMIA became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase. JPMIA is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Effective January 1, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), the investment advisory business of JPMIA was transferred to JPMIM and JPMIM became the investment
adviser for the applicable Funds under the JPMT II Advisory Agreement. The appointment of JPMIM did not change the portfolio management team, the
investment
strategies, the investment advisory fees charged to the Funds or the terms of the JPMT II Advisory Agreement (other than the identity of the investment adviser). Shareholder approval was not required for the replacement of JPMIA by JPMIM.
Subject to the supervision of
a Trust’s Board of Trustees, JPMIM provides or will cause to be provided a continuous investment program for certain Funds, including investment research and management with respect to all securities and investments and cash equivalents in
those Funds. JPMIM may delegate its responsibilities to a sub-adviser. Any subadvisory agreements must be approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the applicable Funds’ shareholders, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
The JPMT II Advisory Agreement
continues in effect for annual periods beyond October 31 of each year, if such continuance is approved at least annually by the Trust’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Fund (as defined under
“Additional Information” in this SAI), and a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the respective investment advisory agreements or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the respective investment
advisory agreements by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The continuation of the JPMT II Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees at its meeting held in August 2019.
The JPMT II Advisory Agreement
may be terminated as to a particular Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice without penalty by the Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of that Fund, or by the Fund’s Adviser as the case may be. The JPMIA
Advisory Agreement also terminates automatically in the event of any assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.
As compensation for the
services rendered and related expenses, such as salaries of advisory personnel borne by JPMIM, under the JPMT II Advisory Agreement, the applicable Trusts, on behalf of the Funds, have agreed to pay JPMIM a fee, which is computed daily and may be
paid monthly, equal to the annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets as described in the applicable Prospectuses.
The JPMT II Advisory Agreement
provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of the respective investment advisory agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach
of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it of
its duties and obligations thereunder.
J.P. Morgan Private Investments,
Inc. (“JPMPI”). JPMPI has been engaged by JPMIM to serve as investment sub-adviser to the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund and JPMorgan Access Growth Fund (the “JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement”).
JPMPI is a wholly owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPMPI is located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179.
JPMPI is paid monthly by JPMIM
a fee equal to a percentage of the average daily net assets of the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund and JPMorgan Access Growth Fund. The aggregate annual rate of the fees payable by JPMIM to JPMPI is 0.75% of the portion of each of the JPMorgan Access
Balanced Fund’s and JPMorgan Access Growth Fund’s average daily net assets managed by JPMPI.
The JPMPI Sub-Advisory
Agreement will continue in effect for a period of two years from the date of its execution, unless terminated sooner. It may be renewed from year to year thereafter, so long as continuance is specifically approved at least annually in accordance
with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The JPMPI Sub-Advisory
Agreement provides that it will terminate in the event of an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act), and may be terminated without penalty at any time by either party upon 60 days’ written notice, or upon termination of the
JPMIM Advisory Agreement. Under the terms of the JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement, JPMPI is not liable to JPMIM, the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund or the JPMorgan Access Growth Fund, or their shareholders, for any error of judgment or mistake of law or
for any losses sustained by JPMIM, the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund or the JPMorgan Access Growth Fund or their shareholders, except in the case of JPMPI’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations
or duties under the JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Fuller & Thaler Asset
Management, Inc. (“Fuller &Thaler”). Fuller & Thaler has served as the sub-adviser to the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund (“Behavioral Value Fund”) for the life of the
Fund. As sub-adviser, Fuller & Thaler provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Fuller & Thaler is located at 411 Borel Avenue, Suite 300, San Mateo, California 94402.
The Behavioral Value
Fund’s investment portfolio is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Behavioral Value Fund’s sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement. The sub-adviser is regarded for purposes of the 1940 Act as being controlled by the following
person, who is a principal of the firm and owns more than 25% of the voting securities of the firm: Russell J. Fuller (Fuller & Thaler).
Under the sub-advisory
agreement relating to the Behavioral Value Fund between JPMIM and the Behavioral Value Fund’s sub-adviser, the sub-adviser is entitled to fees, payable at least quarterly by JPMIM out of the fees JPMIM receives, of a certain percentage of the
average daily net asset value of the Behavioral Value Fund. For the Behavioral Value Fund, JPMIM will pay the sub-adviser compensation at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For a description of such fees, see
“The Funds’ Management and Administration” section in the Fund’s prospectuses.
The Fuller & Thaler
Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of two years from the date of its execution, unless terminated sooner. It may be renewed from year to year thereafter, so long as continuance is specifically approved at least annually in
accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Fuller & Thaler
Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that it may be terminated without penalty by JPMIM, by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding securities of the relevant Fund, upon 60 days’ written notice and
shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Fund’s advisory agreement provides that JPMIM owns all rights to and control of the name “Undiscovered Managers.” The Fund’s advisory agreement will
automatically terminate if the Trust or the relevant Fund shall at any time be required by JPMIM to eliminate all reference to the words “Undiscovered Managers” or the letters “UM,” as applicable, in the name of the Trust or
the Fund, unless the continuance of the agreement after such change of name is approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or JPMIM, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
JPMIM1
JPMIM and/or its affiliates
(the “Affiliates” and, together, “JPMorgan”) provide an array of discretionary and non-discretionary investment management services and products to institutional clients and individual investors. In addition, JPMorgan is a
diversified financial services firm that provides a broad range of services and products to its clients and is a major participant in the global currency, equity, commodity, fixed-income and other markets in which a Fund invests or will invest.
Investors should carefully review the following, which describes potential and actual conflicts of interest that JPMorgan can face in the operation of its investment management services. JPMorgan and the Funds have adopted policies and procedures
reasonably designed to appropriately prevent, limit or mitigate the conflicts of interest described below. In addition, many of the activities that create these conflicts of interest are limited and/or prohibited by law, unless an exception is
available.
This section
is not, and is not intended to be, a complete enumeration or explanation of all of the potential conflicts of interest that may arise. Additional information about potential conflicts of interest regarding JPMIM and JPMorgan is set forth in
JPMIM’s Form ADV. A copy of Part 1 and Part 2A of JPMIM’s and each other Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Acting for Multiple Clients. In general, JPMIM faces conflicts of interest when it renders investment advisory services to several clients and, from time to time, provides dissimilar investment advice to different clients. For example, when funds
or accounts managed by JPMIM (“Other Accounts”) engage in short sales of the same securities held by a Fund, JPMIM could be seen as harming the performance of a Fund for the benefit of the Other Accounts engaging in short sales, if the
short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall. In addition, a conflict could arise when one or more Other Accounts invest in different instruments or classes of securities of the same issuer than those in which a Fund invests. In
certain circumstances, Other Accounts have different investment objectives or could pursue or enforce rights with respect to a particular issuer in which a Fund has also invested and these activities could have an adverse effect on the Fund. For
example, if a Fund holds debt instruments of an issuer and an Other
1 |
The affiliates of
JPMIM that act as Adviser or Sub-Adviser to a Fund – J.P. Morgan Private Investments Inc.—will also face some or all of the conflicts of interest described in this section. References to JPMIM should be read to apply to these other
advisers for a Fund advised or sub-advised by such other adviser. |
Account holds
equity securities of the same issuer, then if the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges, the Fund (which holds the debt instrument) may seek a liquidation of the issuer, whereas the Other Account (which holds the equity securities)
may prefer a reorganization of the issuer. In addition, an issuer in which the Fund invests may use the proceeds of the Fund’s investment to refinance or reorganize its capital structure which could result in repayment of debt held by JPMorgan
or an Other Account. If the issuer performs poorly following such refinancing or reorganization, the Fund’s results will suffer whereas the Other Account’s performance will not be affected because the Other Account no longer has an
investment in the issuer. Conflicts are magnified with respect to issuers that become insolvent. It is possible that in connection with an insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar proceeding, a Fund will be limited (by applicable law,
courts or otherwise) in the positions or actions it will be permitted to take due to other interests held or actions or positions taken by JPMorgan or Other Accounts.
Positions taken by Other
Accounts may also dilute or otherwise negatively affect the values, prices or investment strategies associated with positions held by a Fund. For example, this may occur when investment decisions for the Fund are based on research or other
information that is also used to support portfolio decisions by JPMIM for Other Accounts following different investment strategies or by Affiliates in managing their clients’ accounts. When an Other Account or an account managed by an
Affiliate implements a portfolio decision or strategy ahead of, or contemporaneously with, similar portfolio decisions or strategies for a Fund (whether or not the portfolio decisions emanate from the same research analysis or other information),
market impact, liquidity constraints, or other factors could result in the Fund receiving less favorable investment results, and the costs of implementing such portfolio decisions or strategies could be increased or the Fund could otherwise be
disadvantaged.
Investment opportunities that
are appropriate for a Fund may also be appropriate for Other Accounts and there is no assurance the Fund will receive an allocation of all or a portion of those investments it wishes to pursue. JPMIM’s management of an Other Account that pays
it a performance fee or a higher management fee and follows the same or similar strategy as a Fund or invests in substantially similar assets as a Fund, creates an incentive for JPMIM to favor the account paying it the potentially higher fee, e.g.,
in placing securities trades.
JPMIM and its Affiliates, and
any of their directors, officers or employees, also buy, sell, or trade securities for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of JPMIM and/or an Affiliate. JPMIM or its Affiliates, within their discretion, may make different investment
decisions and take other actions with respect to their own proprietary accounts than those made for client accounts, including the timing or nature of such investment decisions or actions. Further, JPMIM is not required to purchase or sell for any
client account securities that it, an Affiliate or any of its or their employees may purchase or sell for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of JPMIM or an Affiliate or its clients. JPMIM, its Affiliates and their respective directors,
officers and employees face a conflict of interest as they will have income or other incentives to favor their own accounts or proprietary accounts.
The portfolio managers of
certain Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts have access to the holdings and may have knowledge of the investment strategies and techniques of certain underlying Funds because they receive portfolio holding information concerning accounts that are
managed in a similar strategy as an underlying Fund that is not subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Funds. In addition, the portfolio managers of certain Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts have periodic access to risk exposure
information such as currency, sector, region, country, asset class, credit quality, volatility characteristics, VaR and stress information, exposure versus benchmarks, duration and Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) ratings
based on the aggregate daily holdings of the underlying Funds in which such Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts invest. They therefore face conflicts of interest in the timing and amount of allocations to or redemptions from an underlying Fund, as
well as in the choice of an underlying Fund.
The chart in Part I of this SAI
entitled “Portfolio Managers’ Other Accounts Managed” shows the number, type and market value as of a specified date of the accounts and other Funds managed by each Fund’s (excluding the Money Market Funds’) portfolio
managers.
Acting in
Multiple Commercial Capacities. JPMorgan is a diversified financial services firm that provides a broad range of services and products to its clients and is a major participant in the global currency, equity,
commodity, fixed-income and other markets in which a Fund invests or may invest. JPMorgan is typically entitled to compensation in connection with these activities and the Funds will not be entitled to any such compensation. In providing services
and products to clients other than the Funds, JPMorgan, from time to time, faces conflicts of interest with respect to activities recommended to or performed for a Fund on one hand and for JPMorgan’s other clients on the other hand. For
example,
JPMorgan has, and
continues to seek to develop, banking and other financial and advisory relationships with numerous U.S. and non-U.S. persons and governments. JPMorgan also advises and represents potential buyers and sellers of businesses worldwide. The Funds have
invested in, or may wish to invest in, such entities represented by JPMorgan or with which JPMorgan has a banking or other financial relationship. In addition, certain clients of JPMorgan may invest in entities in which JPMorgan holds an interest,
including a Fund. In providing services to its clients, JPMorgan from time to time recommends activities that compete with or otherwise adversely affect a Fund or the Fund’s investments. It should be recognized that such relationships may also
preclude the Fund from engaging in certain transactions and may constrain the Fund’s investment flexibility. For example, Affiliates that are broker dealers cannot deal with the Funds as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless
an exemptive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the SEC. Certain of the Funds have received exemptive orders permitting the Funds to engage in principal transactions with Affiliates involving taxable and tax exempt money market
instruments. However, for the purchase and sale of longer term fixed income securities, which are generally principal transactions, the Funds cannot use broker dealer Affiliates. Or, if an Affiliate is the sole underwriter of an initial or secondary
offering, the Funds could not purchase in the offering. In both cases the number of securities and counterparties available to the Funds will be fewer than are available to mutual funds that are not affiliated with major broker dealers.
JPMorgan derives ancillary
benefits from providing investment advisory, custody, administration, fund accounting and shareholder servicing and other services to the Funds, and providing such services to the Funds may enhance JPMorgan’s relationships with various
parties, facilitate additional business development and enable JPMorgan to obtain additional business and generate additional revenue.
Participations Adverse to the
Funds. JPMorgan’s participation in certain markets or its actions for certain clients may also restrict or affect a Fund’s ability to transact in those markets and JPMorgan may face conflicts with
respect to the interests involved. For example, when a Fund and another JPMorgan client invest in different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, decisions over whether to trigger an event of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to
exit an investment implicate conflicts of interest. See also “Acting for Multiple Clients.”
Preferential Treatment. JPMIM receives more compensation with respect to certain Funds or Other Accounts than it receives with respect to a Fund, or receives compensation based in part on the performance of certain accounts. This creates a
conflict of interest for JPMIM and its portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor those accounts. Actual or potential conflicts of interest also arise when a portfolio manager has management responsibilities to more than one account or
Fund, such as devotion of unequal time and attention to the management of the Funds or accounts.
Allocation and Aggregation. Potential conflicts of interest also arise with both the aggregation of trade orders and allocation of securities transactions or investment opportunities. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders
that were only partially filled due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities raise a potential conflict of interest because JPMorgan has an incentive to allocate trades or investment opportunities to certain accounts or
Funds. For example, JPMorgan has an incentive to cause accounts it manages to participate in an offering where such participation could increase JPMorgan’s overall allocation of securities in that offering. When JPMorgan serves as adviser to
the Funds, as well as certain Funds-of-Funds, it faces certain potential conflicts of interest when allocating the assets of the Funds-of-Funds among its underlying Funds. For example, JPMorgan has an incentive to allocate assets of the
Fund-of-Funds to seed a new Fund or to allocate to an underlying Fund that is small, pays higher fees to JPMorgan or to which JPMorgan has provided seed capital.
Overall Position Limits. Potential conflicts of interest also exist when JPMorgan maintains certain overall investment limitations on positions in securities or other financial instruments due to, among other things, investment restrictions
imposed upon JPMorgan by law, regulation, contract or internal policies. These limitations have precluded and, in the future could preclude, a Fund from purchasing particular securities or financial instruments, even if the securities or financial
instruments would otherwise meet the Fund’s objectives. For example, there are limits on the aggregate amount of investments by affiliated investors in certain types of securities that may not be exceeded without additional regulatory or
corporate consent. There also are limits on the writing of options by a Fund that could be triggered based on the number of options written by JPMIM on behalf of other investment advisory clients. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are
reached or certain transactions are undertaken, the ability of a Fund to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, will be restricted.
Soft Dollars. JPMIM pays certain broker-dealers with “soft” or commission dollars generated by client brokerage transactions in exchange for access to statistical information and other research services. JPMIM faces
conflicts of interest because the statistical information and other research services may benefit certain other clients of JPMIM more than a Fund and can be used in connection with the management of accounts other than the accounts whose trades
generated the commissions.
Additionally, when JPMIM uses
client brokerage commissions to obtain statistical information and other research services, JPMIM receives a benefit because it does not have to produce or pay for the information or other research services itself. As a result, JPMIM may have an
incentive to select a particular broker-dealer in order to obtain such information and other research services from that broker-dealer, rather than to obtain the lowest price for execution.
Redemptions. JPMorgan, as a seed investor, JPMorgan Funds of Funds and JPMorgan on behalf of its discretionary clients have significant ownership in certain Funds. JPMorgan faces conflicts of interest when considering the effect of
redemptions on such Funds and on other shareholders in deciding whether and when to redeem its shares. A large redemption of shares by JPMorgan, by a JPMorgan Fund of Funds or by JPMorgan acting on behalf of its discretionary clients could result in
the Fund selling securities when it otherwise would not have done so, accelerating the realization of capital gains and increasing transaction costs. A large redemption could significantly reduce the assets of a Fund, causing decreased liquidity
and, depending on any applicable expense caps, a higher expense ratio.
Affiliated Transactions. The Funds are subject to conflicts of interest if they engage in principal or agency transactions with other Funds or with JPMorgan. To the extent permitted by law, the Funds can enter into transactions in which
JPMorgan acts as principal on its own behalf (principal transactions), advises both sides of a transaction (cross transactions) and acts as broker for, and receives a commission from, the Funds (agency transactions). Principal and agency
transactions create the opportunity for JPMorgan to engage in self-dealing. JPMorgan faces a conflict of interest when it engages in a principal or agency transaction on behalf of a Fund, because such transactions result in additional compensation
to JPMorgan. JPMorgan faces a potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities to the parties in these transactions.
In addition, Affiliates of
JPMIM have direct or indirect interests in electronic communication networks and alternative trading systems (collectively “ECNs”). JPMIM, in accordance with its fiduciary obligation to seek to obtain best execution, from time to time
executes client trades through ECNs in which an Affiliate has, or may acquire, an interest. In such case, the Affiliate will be indirectly compensated based upon its ownership percentage in relation to the transaction fees charged by the ECNs.
JPMorgan also faces conflicts
of interest if a Fund purchases securities during the existence of an underwriting syndicate for such securities, of which JPMorgan is a member because JPMorgan typically receives fees for certain services that it provides to the syndicate and, in
certain cases, will be relieved directly or indirectly of certain financial obligations as a result of a Fund’s purchase of securities.
Affiliated Service Providers. JPMorgan faces conflicts of interest when the Funds use service providers affiliated with JPMorgan because JPMorgan receives greater overall fees when they are used. Affiliates provide investment advisory, custody,
administration, fund accounting and shareholder servicing services to the Funds for which they are compensated by the Funds. Similarly, JPMIM faces a conflict of interest if it decides to use or negotiate the terms of a credit facility for a Fund if
the facility is provided by an Affiliate. In addition, in selecting actively managed underlying funds for JPMorgan Funds of Funds, JPMIM limits its selection to Funds in the JPMorgan family of mutual funds. JPMIM does not consider or canvass the
universe of unaffiliated investment companies available, even though there may be unaffiliated investment companies that may be more appropriate for the JPMorgan Fund of Funds or that have superior returns. With respect to a Fund’s uninvested
cash and cash received from securities lending borrowers, the Fund’s adviser automatically invests the Fund in J.P. Morgan money market funds without considering or canvassing the universe of unaffiliated money market funds available even
though there may (or may not) be one or more unaffiliated money market funds or alternative investments that investors might regard as more attractive for the Fund or that have superior returns. To the extent a Fund invests in a J.P. Morgan money
market fund, the Fund’s investment performance is related to the performance of the J.P. Morgan money market fund and the Fund might lose money by investing in a J.P. Morgan money market fund. Because a Fund’s adviser or its affiliates
provide services to and receive fees from J.P. Morgan money market funds, investments by the Fund in a J.P. Morgan money market fund benefit the Fund’s adviser and/or its affiliates and create a conflict of interest. These investments also
will increase assets under
management and
support particular J.P. Morgan money market funds. The JPMorgan affiliates providing services to the Funds benefit from additional fees when a Fund is included as an underlying Fund in a JPMorgan Fund of Funds.
Proxy Voting. Potential conflicts of interest can arise when JPMIM votes proxies for securities held by a Fund. A conflict is deemed to exist when the proxy is for JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock or for J.P. Morgan Funds, or when the
proxy administrator has actual knowledge indicating that an Affiliate is an investment banker or rendered a fairness opinion with respect to the matter that is the subject of the proxy vote. When such conflicts are identified, the proxy ordinarily
will be voted by an independent third party either in accordance with JPMIM’s proxy voting guidelines or by the third party using its own guidelines. Potential conflicts of interest can arise when JPMIM invests Fund assets in securities of
companies that are also clients of JPMIM or that have material business relationships with JPMIM or an Affiliate and a vote against management could harm or otherwise affect JPMIM’s or the Affiliate’s business relationship with that
company. See the Proxy Voting section in this SAI.
Lending. JPMorgan faces conflicts of interest with respect to interfund lending or the JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. credit facility, which could harm the lending or the borrowing Fund if JPMorgan favors one Fund’s or
JPMorgan’s interests over those of another Fund. If a Fund engages in securities lending transactions, JPMIM faces a conflict of interest when a JPMIM affiliate operates as a service provider in the securities lending transaction or otherwise
receives compensation as part of the securities lending activities.
Personal Trading. JPMorgan and any of its directors, officers, agents or employees, face conflicts of interest when transacting in securities for their own accounts because they could benefit by trading in the same securities as a Fund,
which could have an adverse effect on a Fund.
Valuation. JPMIM acting in its capacity as the Funds’ administrator is the primary valuation agent of the Funds. JPMIM values securities and assets in the Funds according to the Funds’ valuation policies. From time to
time JPMIM will value an asset differently than an Affiliate values the identical asset, including because the Affiliate has information regarding valuation techniques and models or other information that it does not share with JPMIM. This arises
particularly in connection with securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations do not represent the value at the time of pricing (e.g., startup companies) and which are fair valued.
JPMIM will also face a conflict with respect to valuations as they affect the amount of JPMIM’s compensation as investment adviser and administrator.
Information Access. As a result of JPMorgan’s various other businesses, Affiliates, from time to time, come into possession of information about certain markets and investments which, if known to JPMIM, could cause JPMIM to seek to
dispose of, retain or increase interests in investments held by a Fund or acquire certain positions on behalf of a Fund. However, JPMorgan’s internal information barriers restrict JPMIM’s ability to access such information even when it
would be relevant to its management of the Funds. Such Affiliates can trade differently from the Funds potentially based on information not available to JPMIM. If JPMIM acquires or is deemed to acquire material non-public information regarding an
issuer, JPMIM will be restricted from purchasing or selling securities of that issuer for its clients, including a Fund, until the information has been publicly disclosed or is no longer deemed material. (Such an issuer could include an underlying
Fund in a Fund-of-Funds.)
Gifts and Entertainment. From time to time, employees of JPMIM receive gifts and/or entertainment from clients, intermediaries, or service providers to the Funds or JPMIM, which could have the appearance of affecting or may potentially affect
the judgment of the employees, or the manner in which they conduct business.
For Funds with Sub-Advisers: Additional Potential
Conflicts of Interest
The
Advisers to certain Funds have engaged affiliated and/or unaffiliated sub-advisers. The Adviser compensates sub-advisers out of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund, which creates an incentive for the Adviser to select sub-advisers with lower
fee rates or to select affiliated sub-advisers. In addition, the sub-advisers have interests and relationships that create actual or potential conflicts of interest related to their management of the assets of the Funds allocated to such
sub-advisers. Such conflicts of interest may be similar to, different from or supplement those conflicts described herein relating to JPMorgan. Potential conflicts relate to the sub-advisers’ trading and investment practices, including, but
not limited to, their selection of broker-dealers, aggregation of orders for multiple clients or netting of orders for the same client and the investment of client assets in companies in which they have an interest. Additional
information about
potential conflicts of interest regarding the sub-advisers is set forth in each sub-adviser’s Form ADV. A copy of Part 1 and Part 2 of each sub-adviser’s Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Fuller & Thaler. Responsibility for managing Fuller & Thaler’s investment strategies is generally organized according to investment styles (growth, value or a combination of growth and value) and market capitalization
(micro-cap, small-cap, or large-cap). Generally, a portfolio manager is responsible for managing all the client portfolios with a certain investment style and market capitalization. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and industry
and sector exposures tend to be similar across portfolios in the same strategy, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.
Fuller & Thaler may
receive more compensation with respect to certain accounts than that received with respect to the Funds. Such greater compensation may be attributable to the fact that some accounts may be larger than the Funds, some accounts may pay a higher
management fee rate than the Funds, or some accounts may also pay a performance fee unlike the Funds. This may create a potential conflict of interest for Fuller & Thaler or its portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor these other
accounts when, for example, placing securities transactions. Fuller & Thaler may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored accounts. To address this, Fuller & Thaler has established policies
designed to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time. As a matter of general policy, Fuller & Thaler aggregates orders for the same equity security placed at around the same time. When
aggregated trades are executed, whether fully or partially executed, accounts participating in the trade will be allocated their pro rata share on an average price basis, subject to certain limited exceptions. In the event pro rata allocation may
not be feasible or in the best interest of its clients, Fuller & Thaler may rotate trades or seek to otherwise allocate transactions in a fair and equitable manner over time.
Another potential conflict of
interest may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the cost of securities subsequently purchased by another account, or when a sale in one
account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. Further, if Fuller & Thaler manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Funds invest, Fuller & Thaler could be seen as harming the
performance of a Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.
Fuller & Thaler believes
it has adopted policies and procedures to address actual and potential conflicts of interest; however, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict may arise.
For details of the dollar range
of shares of each Fund (excluding the Money Market Funds) beneficially owned by the portfolio managers, see “PORTFOLIO MANAGERS — Ownership of Securities” in Part I of this SAI.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER COMPENSATION
JPMorgan’s compensation
programs are designed to align the behavior of employees with the achievement of its short- and long-term strategic goals, which revolve around client investment objectives. This is accomplished, in part, through a balanced performance assessment
process and total compensation program, as well as a clearly defined culture that rigorously and consistently promotes adherence to the highest ethical standards.
In determining portfolio
manager compensation, JPMorgan uses a balanced discretionary approach to assess performance against four broad categories: (1) business results; (2) risk and control; (3) customers and clients; and (4) people and leadership. The primary
consideration is investment performance; these performance categories consider short-, medium- and long-term goals that drive sustained value for clients, while accounting for risk and control objectives. Specifically, portfolio manager performance
is evaluated against various factors including the following (1) blended pre-tax investment performance relative to competitive indices, generally weighted more to the long-term and (2) individual contribution relative to the client’s
risk/return objective.
Portfolio managers are subject
to a mandatory deferral of long-term incentive compensation under JPMorgan’s Mandatory Investment Plan (“MIP”). The MIP provides for a rate of return equal to that of the Fund(s) that the portfolio managers manage, thereby aligning
portfolio manager’s pay with that of their client’s experience/return. 100% of the portfolio manager’s long-term incentive compensation is eligible
for MIP with 50%
allocated to the specific Fund(s) they manage, as determined by their respective manager. The remaining portion of the overall amount is electable and may be treated as if invested in any of the other Funds available in the plan or can take the form
of Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”).
Fuller & Thaler. Fuller & Thaler is 100% beneficially owned by its investment professionals, named principals, and other key employees. As owners, Fuller & Thaler’s investment professionals are co-invested in the
strategies they manage and are typically paid above industry averages. As owners, Fuller & Thaler’s investment professionals are ultimately compensated based on the long-term performance of its business, which is largely based on the
long-term performance of its strategies. The value of these ownership stakes is typically the most significant long-term driver of compensation for investment professionals. Investment professionals and other key employees own a majority of Fuller
& Thaler. As its named principals continue to gradually reduce their ownership stakes, Fuller & Thaler grants additional shares to investment professionals and other key employees. Year-to-year, pre-tax cash bonuses are based on a
combination of criteria, including the firm’s profitability, an investment professional’s contributions to the firm’s and his/her strategy’s Year-To-Date, 1, 3, 5, 10, and tenure-long year performance relative to the
strategy’s benchmark, and an investment professional’s contributions to improvements to the firm’s behavioral investment process, and can vary significantly both year-to-year and among investment professionals. Investment
professionals may be granted ownership in Fuller & Thaler within a few years of joining the firm.
CODES OF ETHICS
The Trusts, the Advisers and JPMDS
have each adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (and pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act with respect to the Advisers).
The Trusts’ code of
ethics includes policies which require “access persons” (as defined in Rule 17j-1) to: (i) place the interest of Trust shareholders first; (ii) conduct personal securities transactions in a manner that avoids any actual or potential
conflict of interest or any abuse of a position of trust and responsibility; and (iii) refrain from taking inappropriate advantage of his or her position with the Trusts or a Fund. The Trusts’ code of ethics prohibits any access person from:
(i) employing any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Trusts or a Fund; (ii) making to the Trusts or a Fund any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to the Trusts or a Fund a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; (iii) engaging in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Trusts or a Fund; or (iv) engaging in
any manipulative practice with respect to the Trusts or a Fund. The Trusts’ code of ethics permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund so long as such investment
transactions are not in contravention of the above noted policies and prohibitions.
The code of ethics adopted by
the Advisers requires that all employees must: (i) place the interest of the accounts which are managed by the Adviser first; (ii) conduct all personal securities transactions in a manner that is consistent with the code of ethics and the individual
employee’s position of trust and responsibility; and (iii) refrain from taking inappropriate advantage of their position. Employees of each Adviser are also prohibited from certain mutual fund trading activity including excessive trading of
shares of a mutual fund as described in the applicable Fund’s Prospectuses or SAI and effecting or facilitating a mutual fund transaction to engage in market timing. The Advisers’ code of ethics permits personnel subject to the code to
invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund subject to certain restrictions. However, all employees are required to preclear securities trades (except for certain types of securities such as non-proprietary
mutual fund shares and U.S. government securities). Each of the Adviser’s affiliated sub-advisers has also adopted the code of ethics described above.
JPMDS’s code of ethics
requires that all employees of JPMDS must: (i) place the interest of the accounts which are managed by affiliates of JPMDS first; (ii) conduct all personal securities transactions in a manner that is consistent with the code of ethics and the
individual employee’s position of trust and responsibility; and (iii) refrain from taking inappropriate advantage of their positions. Employees of JPMDS are also prohibited from certain mutual fund trading activity, including excessive trading
of shares of a mutual fund as such term is defined in the applicable Fund’s Prospectuses or SAI, or effecting or facilitating a mutual fund transaction to engage in market timing. JPMDS’s code of ethics permits personnel subject to the
code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds subject to the policies and restrictions in such code of ethics.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Investment Decisions and
Portfolio Transactions. Pursuant to the Advisory and sub-advisory Agreements, the Advisers determine, subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts and in accordance with each
Fund’s investment objective and restrictions, which securities are to be purchased and sold by each such Fund and which brokers are to be eligible to execute its portfolio transactions. The Advisers operate independently in providing services
to their respective clients. Investment decisions are the product of many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular client involved. Thus, for example, a particular security may be bought or sold for certain clients even though it
could have been bought or sold for other clients at the same time. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling the security. In some instances, one client may sell a particular
security to another client. It also happens that two or more clients may simultaneously buy or sell the same security, in which event each day’s transactions in such security are, insofar as possible, averaged as to price and allocated between
such clients in a manner which in the opinion of the Adviser is equitable to each and in accordance with the amount being purchased or sold by each. There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more clients
will have an adverse effect on other clients.
Brokerage and Research Services. On behalf of the Funds, a Fund’s Adviser places orders for all purchases and sales of portfolio securities, enters into repurchase agreements, and may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and execute loans of
portfolio securities on behalf of a Fund unless otherwise prohibited. See “Investment Strategies and Policies.”
Fixed income and debt
securities and municipal bonds and notes are generally traded at a net price with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission. The price of the security usually includes profit to the dealers. In underwritten
offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price, which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. Transactions on stock exchanges (other than foreign stock
exchanges) involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different brokers. Also, a particular broker may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction.
Transactions in foreign securities generally involve payment of fixed brokerage commissions, which are generally higher than those in the U.S. On occasion, certain securities may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or
discounts are paid.
In
connection with portfolio transactions, the overriding objective is to obtain the best execution of purchase and sales orders. In making this determination, the Adviser considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: the price per unit
of the security, the broker’s execution capabilities, the commissions charged, the broker’s reliability for prompt, accurate confirmations and on-time delivery of securities, the broker-dealer firm’s financial condition, the
broker’s ability to provide access to public offerings, as well as the quality of research services provided. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act, the Adviser may cause the Funds to pay a broker-dealer which provides
brokerage and research services to the Adviser, or the Funds and/or other accounts for which the Adviser exercises investment discretion an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction for a Fund in excess of the amount other
broker-dealers would have charged for the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that the greater commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities to accounts over which it exercises investment discretion. Not all such services are useful or of value in advising the Funds. The Adviser reports to the Board
of Trustees regarding overall commissions paid by the Funds and their reasonableness in relation to the benefits to the Funds. In accordance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act and consistent with applicable SEC guidance and
interpretation, the term “brokerage and research services” includes (i) advice as to the value of securities; (ii) the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities; (iii) the availability of securities or of purchasers
or sellers of securities; (iv) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts; and (v) effecting securities transactions and performing
functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody) or required by rule or regulation in connection with such transactions.
Brokerage and research
services received from such broker-dealers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by an Adviser under the Advisory Agreement (or with respect to a Sub-Adviser, under the sub-advisory agreement). The fees
that the Funds pay to the Adviser are not reduced as a consequence of the Adviser’s receipt of brokerage and research services. To the extent the Funds’ portfolio transactions are used to obtain such services, the brokerage commissions
paid by the
Funds may exceed
those that might otherwise be paid by an amount that cannot be presently determined. Such services generally would be useful and of value to the Adviser in serving one or more of its other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the
placement of brokerage business of other clients generally would be useful to the Adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Funds. While such services are not expected to reduce the expenses of the Adviser, the Adviser would, through use of the
services, avoid the additional expenses that would be incurred if it should attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.
Subject to the overriding
objective of obtaining the best execution of orders, the Adviser may allocate a portion of a Fund’s brokerage transactions to affiliates of the Adviser. Under the 1940 Act, persons affiliated with a Fund and persons who are affiliated with
such persons are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless an exemptive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the SEC. The SEC has granted exemptive orders permitting each Fund to
engage in principal transactions with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, an affiliated broker, involving taxable and tax exempt money market instruments (including commercial paper, banker acceptances and medium term notes) and repurchase agreements. The
orders are subject to certain conditions. An affiliated person of a Fund may serve as its broker in listed or over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis provided that, among other things, the fee or commission received by such
affiliated broker is reasonable and fair compared to the fee or commission received by non-affiliated brokers in connection with comparable transactions.
In addition, a Fund may not
purchase securities during the existence of any underwriting syndicate for such securities of which JPMorgan Chase Bank or an affiliate is a member or in a private placement in which JPMorgan Chase Bank or an affiliate serves as placement agent,
except pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees that either comply with rules adopted by the SEC or with interpretations of the SEC’s staff. Each Fund expects to purchase securities from underwriting syndicates of which certain
affiliates of JPMorgan Chase act as a member or manager. Such purchases will be effected in accordance with the conditions set forth in Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act and related procedures adopted by the Trustees, including a majority of the
Trustees who are not “interested persons” of a Fund. Among the conditions are that the issuer of any purchased securities will have been in operation for at least three years, that not more than 25% of the underwriting will be purchased
by a Fund and all other accounts over which the same investment adviser has discretion, and that no shares will be purchased from JPMDS or any of its affiliates.
On those occasions when the
Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a Fund as well as other customers, including other Funds, the Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but is not obligated to,
aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for a Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other customers in order to obtain best execution, including lower brokerage commissions if appropriate. In such event, allocation of the securities
so purchased or sold as well as any expenses incurred in the transaction will be made by the Adviser in the manner it considers to be most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to its customers, including the Funds. In some
instances, the allocation procedure might not permit a Fund to participate in the benefits of the aggregated trade.
If a Fund that writes options
effects a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option written by it, normally such transaction will be executed by the same broker-dealer who executed the sale of the option. The writing of options by a Fund will be subject to limitations
established by each of the exchanges governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written on the same or different
exchanges or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. The number of options that a Fund may write may be affected by options written by the Adviser for other investment advisory clients. An exchange may order the
liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
Allocation of transactions,
including their frequency, to various broker-dealers is determined by a Fund’s Adviser based on its best judgment and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to Shareholders and consistent with the Adviser’s obligation to obtain the best
execution of purchase and sales orders. In making this determination, the Adviser considers the same factors for the best execution of purchase and sales orders listed above. Accordingly, in selecting broker-dealers to execute a particular
transaction, and in evaluating the best overall terms available, a Fund’s Adviser is authorized to consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act) provided to the Funds
and/or other accounts over which a Fund’s Adviser exercises investment discretion. A Fund’s Adviser may cause a Fund to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage and research services a higher
commission than
that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transaction, provided that a Fund’s Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of a Fund’s Adviser to the Funds. To the extent such services are permissible under the safe harbor requirements of Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act and consistent with applicable SEC guidance and interpretation, such brokerage and research services might consist of advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling
securities, the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts, market data, stock
quotes, last sale prices, and trading volumes. Shareholders of the Funds should understand that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to a Fund’s Adviser in connection with its services to other clients and not all the services
may be used by the Adviser in connection with the Fund.
Under the policy for JPMIM,
“soft dollar” services refer to arrangements that fall within the safe harbor requirements of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, which allow JPMIM to allocate client brokerage transactions to a broker-dealer in
exchange for products or services that are research and brokerage-related and provide lawful and appropriate assistance in the performance of the investment decision-making process. These services include third party research, market data services,
and proprietary broker-dealer research. The Funds receive proprietary research where broker-dealers typically incorporate the cost of such research into their commission structure. Many brokers do not assign a hard dollar value to the research they
provide, but rather bundle the cost of such research into their commission structure. It is noted in this regard that some research that is available only under a bundled commission structure is particularly important to the investment process.
However, the Funds, other than the U.S. Equity Funds (except the JPMorgan Equity Index Fund), JPMorgan Research Market Neutral Fund, JPMorgan Realty Income Fund, JPMorgan Research Equity Long/Short Fund, and JPMorgan Tax Aware Equity Fund, do not
participate in soft dollar arrangements for market data services and third-party research.
The U.S. Equity Funds (except
the JPMorgan Equity Index Fund), JPMorgan Research Market Neutral Fund, JPMorgan Realty Income Fund, and JPMorgan Tax Aware Equity Fund participate in soft dollar arrangements whereby a broker-dealer provides market data services and third-party
research in addition to proprietary research. In order to obtain such research, the Adviser may utilize a Client Commission Arrangement (“CCA”). CCAs are agreements between an investment adviser and executing broker whereby the
investment adviser and the broker agree to allocate a portion of commissions to a pool of credits maintained by the broker that are used to pay for eligible brokerage and research services. The Adviser will only enter into and utilize CCAs to the
extent permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act. As required by interpretive guidance issued by the SEC, any CCAs entered into by the Adviser with respect to commissions generated by the U.S. Equity Funds will provide that: (1) the
broker-dealer pay the research preparer directly; and (2) the broker-dealer take steps to assure itself that the client commissions that the Adviser directs it to use to pay for such services are only for eligible research under Section 28(e).
Investment decisions for each
Fund are made independently from those for the other Funds or any other investment company or account managed by an Adviser. Any such other investment company or account may also invest in the same securities as the Trusts. When a purchase or sale
of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of a given Fund and another Fund, investment company or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price, and available investments allocated as to amount, in a manner which
the Adviser of the given Fund believes to be equitable to the Fund(s) and such other investment company or account. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained by a
Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased by it for a Fund with those to be sold or purchased by it for other Funds or for other investment companies or accounts in order to obtain best
execution. In making investment recommendations for the Trusts, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Trusts is a customer of the Adviser or their parents or
subsidiaries or affiliates and in dealing with its commercial customers, the Adviser and their respective parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers are held by the
Trusts.
Effective
January 2018, pursuant to the second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID II”), investment managers in the European Union (“EU”), including a segment of the operations of the Adviser, are required to either pay
for research out of their own resources or agree with clients to have
research costs
paid by clients through research payment accounts that are funded out of trading commissions or by a specific client research charge, provided that the payments for research are unbundled from the payments for execution. Where such a restriction
applies, the Adviser will pay for any research out of its own resources and not through soft dollars or CCAs. Additionally, MiFID II may have practical ramifications outside the EU. For example, U.S. asset managers acting under the delegated
authority of an EU-based asset manager and U.S. asset managers that are part of a global asset management group with one or more EU affiliates may, in practice, have to restructure the way they procure, value and pay for research under U.S. laws and
regulations to more closely align with the requirements under MiFID II. It is difficult to predict the full impact of MiFID II on the Funds, the Adviser and any sub-advisers. Following its withdrawal from the EU on January 31, 2020, the United
Kingdom has entered a transition period, during which EU law (including MiFID II) will continue to apply in the United Kingdom. Following the transition period, investment managers in the United Kingdom may still be required to comply with certain
MiFID II equivalent requirements in accordance with the handbook of rules and guidance issued by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Sub-Advisers
Sub-Adviser may place orders
for the purchase and sale of securities that are held in the Fund. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, it is the policy and principal objective of each Sub-Adviser to seek best execution. Each Sub-Adviser is
required to consider all factors that it deems relevant when assessing best execution for the Fund, including, for example, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the
broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any (for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis).
In addition, when selecting
brokers to execute transactions and in evaluating the best execution, each Sub-Adviser is authorized to consider the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provided by the
broker. Each Sub-Adviser is also authorized to cause the Fund to pay a commission to a broker who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker would
have charged for effecting that transaction. Each Sub-Adviser must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided viewed in terms of that particular
transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which each Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion. Brokerage and research services received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by
each Sub-Adviser. The Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities through brokers who provide a Sub-Adviser with brokerage and research services.
The fees of each Sub-Adviser
are not reduced by reason of its receipt of such brokerage and research services. Generally, a Sub-Adviser does not provide any services to the Fund except portfolio investment management and related record-keeping services. The Adviser may request
that a Sub-Adviser employ certain specific brokers who have agreed to pay certain Fund expenses. The use of such brokers is subject to best execution, and there is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such
brokers.
It is possible
that certain of the services received by a Sub-Adviser attributable to a particular transaction will primarily benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised by the Sub-Adviser.
For details of brokerage commissions
paid by the Funds, see “BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES — Brokerage Commissions” in Part I of this SAI.
For details of the Funds’
ownership of securities of the Funds’ regular broker dealers, see “BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES — Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers” in Part I of this SAI.
OVERVIEW OF SERVICE PROVIDER AGREEMENTS
The following sections provide
an overview of the J.P. Morgan Funds’ agreements with various service providers including the Administrator, Distributor, Custodian, Transfer Agent, and Shareholder Servicing Agent. As indicated below, some of the service agreements for the
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds and other J.P. Morgan Funds are different than the services agreements for the other JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Funds. For purposes of distinguishing between the agreements and expenses, the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds other than the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds are referred to in the following as the “JPMorgan SR Funds.”
ADMINISTRATOR
JPMIM (the
“Administrator”) serves as the administrator to the Funds, pursuant to an Administration Agreement dated February 19, 2005, as amended from time to time (the “Administration Agreement”), between the Trusts, on behalf of the
Funds, and JPMIM, JPMDS and JPMorgan Chase Bank and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase.
Pursuant to the Administration
Agreement, JPMIM performs or supervises all operations of each Fund for which it serves (other than those performed under the advisory agreement, any sub-advisory agreements, the custodian and fund accounting agreement, and the transfer agency
agreement for that Fund). Under the Administration Agreement, JPMIM has agreed to maintain the necessary office space for the Funds, and to furnish certain other services required by the Funds with respect to each Fund. The Administrator prepares
annual and semi-annual reports to the SEC, prepares federal and state tax returns and generally assists in all aspects of the Funds’ operations other than those performed under the advisory agreement, any sub-advisory agreements, the custodian
and fund accounting agreement, and the transfer agency agreement. JPMIM may, at its expense, subcontract with any entity or person concerning the provision of services under the Administration Agreement. JPMorgan Chase Bank serves as the
Funds’ sub-administrator (the “Sub-administrator”). The Administrator pays JPMorgan Chase Bank a fee for its services as the Funds’ Sub-administrator. Effective January 1, 2019, the Administrator does not receive a separate
fee for services to the J.P. Morgan Investor Funds but does receive fees for its services to the underlying funds.
If not terminated, the
Administration Agreement continues in effect for annual periods beyond October 31 of each year, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Trustees who are not
parties to the Administration Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The Administration Agreement may be terminated without penalty, on not less than 60 days’ prior written notice, by the Board of Trustees of each Trust or by
JPMIM. The termination of the Administration Agreement with respect to one Fund will not result in the termination of the Administration Agreement with respect to any other Fund.
The Administration Agreement
provides that JPMIM shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad
faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or from the reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties thereunder.
In consideration of the
services to be provided by JPMIM pursuant to the Administration Agreement, prior to January 1, 2019, JPMIM received from each Fund a pro rata portion of a fee computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate equal to 0.15% of the first $25 billion
of average daily net assets of all funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex (excluding certain funds of funds and the series of J.P. Morgan Funds Complex that operate as money market funds (each a “Money Market Fund”)) and 0.075% of
average daily net assets of all funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex (excluding certain funds of funds and the Money Market Funds) over $25 billion of such assets. For purposes of this paragraph, the “J.P. Morgan Funds Complex”
includes most of the open-end investment companies in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex, including the series of the former One Group Mutual Funds. Effective January 1, 2019, JPMIM receives the following annual fee from each Fund for administration
services: 0.075% of the first $10 billion of average daily net assets of the Fund, plus 0.050% of average daily net assets of the Fund between $10 billion and $20 billion, plus 0.025% of average daily net assets of the Fund between $20 billion and
$25 billion, plus 0.010% of average daily net assets of the Fund over $25 billion.
With respect to the Money
Market Funds, in consideration of the services provided by JPMIM pursuant to the Administration Agreement, prior to January 1, 2019, JPMIM receives from each Fund a pro-rata portion of a fee computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.10%
on the first $100 billion of the average daily net assets of all the money market funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex and 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the money market funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex over $100 billion.
Effective January 1, 2019, JPMIM receives a pro-rata portion of the following annual fee on behalf of each Money Market Fund for administration services: 0.070% of the first $150 billion of average daily net assets of all money market funds in the
J.P. Morgan Funds Complex, plus 0.050% of average daily net assets of such Money Market Funds between $150 billion and $300 billion, plus 0.030% of
average daily net
assets of such Money Market Funds between $300 billion and $400 billion, plus 0.010% of average daily net assets of such Money Market Funds over $400 billion. For purposes of this paragraph, the “J.P. Morgan Funds Complex” includes most
of the open-end investment companies in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex including the series of the former One Group Mutual Funds.
With respect to the Investor
Funds, in consideration of the services provided by JPMIM pursuant to the Administration Agreement, prior to January 1, 2019, JPMIM received from each Fund a pro rata portion of a fee computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.10% of the
first $500 million of average daily net assets of all the Investor Funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex, 0.075% of average daily net assets of such Investor Funds between $500 million and $1 billion, plus 0.05% of average daily net assets of such
Investor Funds over of $1 billion. Effective January 1, 2019, JPMIM does not receive a separate fee for administration services to the Investor Funds, but does receive fees for its services to the underlying funds.
JPMIM does not receive a separate
fee for administration services to the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds, but does receive fees for its services to the underlying funds.
For details of the administration
and administrative services fees paid or accrued, see “ADMINISTRATOR — Administration Fees” in Part I of this SAI.
DISTRIBUTOR
JPMDS serves as the
distributor for all the Trusts and holds itself available to receive purchase orders for shares of each of the Funds. In that capacity, JPMDS has been granted the right, as agent of each Trust, to solicit and accept orders for the purchase of shares
of each of the Funds in accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement between each Trust and JPMDS. JPMDS began serving as JPMT II’s distributor pursuant to a Distribution Agreement dated as of April 1, 2002. JPMDS is an affiliate of
the Advisers, the Administrator and JPMorgan Chase Bank and is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase. The principal offices of JPMDS are located at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240.
Unless otherwise terminated,
the Distribution Agreement with JPMDS will continue in effect for successive one-year terms if approved at least annually by: (a) the vote of the Board of Trustees, including the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Trustees who are
not parties to the Distribution Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting for the purpose of voting on such approval, or (b) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The
Distribution Agreement may be terminated without penalty on not less than 60 days’ prior written notice by the Board of Trustees, by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by JPMDS. The termination of the
Distribution Agreement with respect to one Fund will not result in the termination of the Distribution Agreement with respect to any other Fund. The Distribution Agreement may also be terminated in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940
Act. JPMDS is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
For details of the compensation paid
to the principal underwriter, JPMDS, see “DISTRIBUTOR —Compensation paid to JPMDS” in Part I of this SAI.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
Certain Funds have adopted a
plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Distribution Plan”) on behalf of the Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Class R2 Shares, Class R3 Shares, Class T Shares, Cash Management Shares, Morgan Shares, Reserve
Shares, Service Shares and E*TRADE Class Shares of the applicable Funds, which provides that each of such classes shall pay for distribution services a distribution fee (the “Distribution Fee”) to JPMDS, at annual rates not to exceed the
amounts set forth in each applicable Fund’s prospectuses. The Class L Shares (formerly Institutional Class Shares for certain Funds), Class I Shares (formerly Select Class Shares), Institutional Class Shares, Class R4 Shares, Class R5 Shares,
Investor Shares, Class R6 Shares, IM Shares, Premier Shares, Capital Shares and Agency Shares of the Funds have no Distribution Plan. Effective June 19, 2015, Class B Shares were converted into Class A Shares (Morgan Shares for the Money Market
Funds).
The Distribution
Fees are paid by the Funds to JPMDS as compensation for its services and expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares. JPMDS in turn pays all or part of these Distribution Fees to Financial Intermediaries that have agreements
with JPMDS to sell shares of the Funds. In addition, JPMDS may use the Distribution Fees payable under the Distribution Plan to finance
any other activity
that is primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares, including, but not limited to, (i) the development, formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including direct mail promotions and television, radio, magazine,
newspaper, electronic and media advertising; (ii) the preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports and any supplements thereto (other than prospectuses, statements of additional information
and reports and any supplements thereto used for regulatory purposes or distributed to existing shareholders of each Fund); (iii) the preparation, printing and distribution of sales and promotional materials and sales literature which is provided to
various entities and individuals, including brokers, dealers, financial institutions, financial intermediaries, shareholders, and prospective investors in each Fund; (iv) expenditures for sales or distribution support services, including meetings
with and assistance to brokers, dealers, financial institutions, and financial intermediaries and in-house telemarketing support services and expenses; (v) preparation of information, analyses, surveys, and opinions with respect to marketing and
promotional activities, including those based on meetings with and feedback from JPMDS’s sales force and others including potential investors, shareholders and financial intermediaries; (vi) commissions, incentive compensation, finders’
fees, or other compensation paid to, and expenses of employees of JPMDS, brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions and financial intermediaries that are attributable to any distribution and/or sales support activities, including interest
expenses and other costs associated with financing of such commissions, incentive compensation, other compensation, fees, and expenses; (vii) travel, promotional materials, equipment, printing, delivery and mailing costs, overhead and other office
expenses of JPMDS and its sales force attributable to any distribution and/or sales support activities, including meetings with brokers, dealers, financial institutions and financial intermediaries in order to provide them with information regarding
the Funds and their investment process and management; (viii) the costs of administering the Distribution Plan; (ix) expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars; and (x) any other costs and expenses relating to any distribution and/or sales
support activities. Activities intended to promote one class of shares of a Fund may also benefit the Fund’s other shares and other Funds. Anticipated benefits to the Funds that may result from the adoption of the Distribution Plan are
economic advantages achieved through economies of scale and enhanced viability if the Funds accumulate a critical mass.
Class A, Class C, Class T and
Class R2 Shares. Class A and Class T Shares of the Funds pay a Distribution Fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. Class R2 Shares of the Funds pay a Distribution Fee of
0.50% of average daily net assets. Class C Shares of the Funds pay a Distribution Fee of 0.75% of average daily nets assets. Where a broker-dealer pays a Finder’s Fee (as described in a Fund’s prospectus) on the sale of Class A Shares of
a Fund, JPMDS currently expects to pay sales commissions to the broker-dealer at the time of the sale even though the sale is not subject to a front-end sales charge. JPMDS currently also expects to pay sales commissions to a dealer at the time of
sale of Class C Shares of the Funds of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of the shares sold by such dealer. JPMDS will use its own funds (which may be borrowed or otherwise financed) to pay such commissions and generally recoups such amounts through
collection of the Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Fee and any contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”). Distribution Fees paid to JPMDS under the Distribution Plan may be paid by JPMDS to broker-dealers as distribution fees in an
amount not to exceed 0.25% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Class A and Class T Shares or 0.75% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Class C Shares or 0.50% annualized of the average daily net asset value of
the Class R2 Shares maintained in a Fund by such broker-dealers’ customers. Such payments on Class A (except where a Finder’s Fee is paid), Class T and Class R2 Shares will be paid to broker- dealers promptly after the shares are
purchased. Such payments on Class C Shares and Class A Shares (where a Finder’s Fee is paid) will be paid to broker-dealers beginning in the 13th month following the purchase of such shares, except certain broker/dealers who have sold Class C
Shares to certain defined contribution plans and who have waived the 1.00% sales commission shall be paid distribution and shareholder servicing fees promptly after the shares are purchased. If the broker-dealer is not paid the Distribution Fee
until the 13th month following a transaction, JPMDS retains the fee.
Since the Distribution Fee is
not directly tied to expenses, the amount of Distribution Fees paid by a class of a Fund during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the Distribution Plan. For this reason, this type of distribution fee arrangement
is characterized by the staff of the SEC as being of the “compensation” variety (in contrast to “reimbursement” arrangements by which a distributor’s payments are directly linked to its expenses). With respect to Class
C Shares of the Funds, because of the 0.75% annual limitation on the compensation paid to JPMDS during a fiscal year, compensation relating to a large portion of the commissions attributable to sales of Class C Shares in any one year will be accrued
and paid by a Fund to JPMDS in fiscal years subsequent. However, the shares are not liable for any distribution expenses incurred in excess of the Distribution Fee paid.
Money Market Funds. Distribution Fees paid to JPMDS under the Distribution Plans adopted by the Money Market Funds may be paid by JPMDS to broker-dealers as distributions fees in an amount not to exceed 0.75% annualized of the average daily
net asset value of the Class C Shares, 0.50% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Cash Management Shares, 0.25% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Reserve Shares, 0.10% annualized of the average daily net asset
value of the Morgan Shares (except for Morgan Shares of the Prime Money Market Fund), 0.60% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the E*TRADE and Service Shares, maintained in a Fund by such broker-dealers’ customers. For Class C
Shares, distribution fees will be paid to broker-dealers beginning in the 13th month following the purchase of such shares. Since the distribution fees are not directly tied to expenses, the amount of Distribution Fees paid by a class of a Fund
during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the Distribution Plan. For this reason, this type of distribution fee arrangement is characterized by the staff of the SEC as being of the “compensation
variety” (in contrast to “reimbursement” arrangements by which a distributor’s payments are directly linked to its expenses). No class of shares of a Fund will make payments or be liable for any distribution expenses incurred
by other classes of shares of any Fund.
JPMDS, JPMIM or their
affiliates may from time to time, at its or their own expense, out of compensation retained by them from the Funds or from other sources available to them, make additional payments to certain Financial Intermediaries for their marketing support
services. Such compensation does not represent an additional expense to the Funds or to their shareholders, since it will be paid by JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates. See “ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES” below.
The Distribution Plan provides
that it will continue in effect indefinitely if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Trusts and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreement related to such plan (“Qualified Trustees”). The Distribution Plan may be terminated, with
respect to any class of a Fund, at any time by a vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the class of such Fund to which it applies (as defined in the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder). The Distribution Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of permitted expenses thereunder without the approval of the affected shareholders and may not be materially amended in any case without a vote of the majority
of both the Trustees and the Qualified Trustees. Each of the Funds will preserve copies of any plan, agreement or report made pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for a period of not less than six years from the date of such plan, agreement or report, and for the
first two years such copies will be preserved in an easily accessible place. The Board of Trustees will review at least on a quarterly basis written reports of the amounts expended under the Distribution Plan indicating the purposes for which such
expenditures were made. The selection and nomination of Qualified Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the disinterested Trustees (as defined in the 1940 Act) then in office.
For details of the Distribution Fees
that the Funds paid to or that were accrued by JPMDS, see “DISTRIBUTOR — Distribution Fees” in Part I of this SAI.
CUSTODIAN
Pursuant to the Amended and
Restated Global Custody and Fund Accounting Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179 (the “JPMorgan Custody Agreement”), JPMorgan Chase Bank serves as the custodian and fund accounting agent for each of
the Funds. Pursuant to the JPMorgan Custody Agreement, JPMorgan Chase Bank is responsible for holding portfolio securities and cash and maintaining the books of account and records of portfolio transactions. JPMorgan Chase Bank is an affiliate of
the Advisers, the Administrator and JPMDS.
CUSTODY AND FUND ACCOUNTING FEES AND EXPENSES
Fees Prior to December 1, 2019
For custodian services, each
Fund pays to JPMorgan Chase Bank annual safekeeping fees of between 0.0006% and 0.35% of assets held by JPMorgan Chase Bank (depending on the domicile in which the asset is held), calculated monthly in arrears and fees between $2.50 and $80 for
securities trades (depending on the domicile in which the trade is settled), as well as transaction fees on certain activities of $2.50 to $20 per transaction. JPMorgan Chase Bank is also reimbursed for its reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental
expenses, including, but not limited to, registration and transfer fees and related legal fees.
JPMorgan Chase Bank may also
be paid $15, $35 or $60 per proxy (depending on the country where the issuer is located) for its service which helps facilitate the voting of proxies throughout the world. For securities in the U.S. market, this fee is waived if the Adviser votes
the proxies directly.
With respect to fund accounting
services, the following schedule shall be employed in the calculation of the fees payable for the services provided under the JPMorgan Custody Agreement. For purposes of determining the asset levels at which a tier applies, assets for that fund type
across J.P. Morgan Funds shall be used.
Money
Market Funds: |
|
|
Tier
One |
First
$250 billion |
0.0013%
|
Tier
Two |
Over
$250 billion |
0.0010%
|
Complex
Assets1 Funds: |
|
|
Tier
One |
First
$75 billion |
0.00425%
|
Tier
Two |
Next
$25 billion |
0.0040%
|
Tier
Three |
Over
$100 billion |
0.0035%
|
Non-Complex
Assets Funds: |
|
|
Tier
One |
First
$75 billion |
0.0025%
|
Tier
Two |
Next
$25 billion |
0.0020%
|
Tier
Three |
Over
$100 billion |
0.0015%
|
Other
Fees: |
|
|
Fund
of Funds (for a Fund of Funds that invests in J.P. Morgan Funds only) |
|
$17,500
2 |
Additional
Share Classes (this additional class expense applies after the fifth class) |
|
$
2,000 |
Daily
Market-based Net Asset Value Calculation for Money Market Funds |
|
$15,000
per Fund |
Hourly
Net Asset Value Calculation for Money Market Funds |
|
$5,000
per Fund |
Floating
NAV Support for Money Market Funds |
|
$100,000
per Fund |
1 |
“Complex
Assets Funds” are Funds whose strategy “routinely” employs one or more of the following instrument types: Bank Loans, Exchange Traded Derivatives or CFD/Portfolio Swaps. The Funds’ classification as either
“Complex” or “Non-Complex” will be reviewed on at least an annual basis. Fund of Funds are excluded by both “Complex Assets Funds” and “Non-Complex Assets Funds.” |
2 |
Fund of Funds are
not subject to the asset based fees described above. |
Transaction fees with respect to
servicing exchange traded derivatives and bank loans are included in the asset tiers noted above, as are bank loan servicing fees.
Annual
Minimums: (except for certain Funds of Funds which are subject to the fee described above) |
|
Money
Market Funds |
$15,000
per Fund |
All
Other Funds |
$20,000
per Fund |
In addition, JPMorgan Chase
Bank provides derivative servicing, including, with respect to swaps, swaptions and bond and currency options. The fees for these services include a transaction fee of $5 or $75 per new contract (depending on whether the transaction is electronic or
manual), a fee of up to $5 or $75 per contract amendment (including transactions such as trade amendments, cancellations, terminations, novations, option exercises, option expiries, maturities or credit events) and a daily fee of $1.00 per contract
for position management services. In addition a Fund will pay a fee of $2.00 to $12.25 per day for the valuation of the derivative positions covered by these services.
Pursuant to an arrangement with
JPMorgan Chase Bank, custodian fees may be reduced by amounts calculated as a percentage of uninvested balances for certain Funds.
A Fund and/or its Cayman
subsidiary, as applicable, may at times hold some of their assets in cash, which may subject the Fund and/or the Cayman subsidiary, as applicable, to additional risks and costs, such as increased credit exposure to the custodian bank and fees
imposed for cash balances. Cash positions may also hurt the Fund’s and/or the Cayman subsidiary’s performance.
Fees
Beginning December 1, 2019
For custodian services
beginning December 1, 2019, each Fund will pay to JPMorgan Chase Bank annual safekeeping fees of between 0.0005% and 0.50% of assets held by JPMorgan Chase Bank (depending on the domicile in which the asset is held), calculated monthly in arrears
and fees between $2.25 and $100 for securities trades (depending on the domicile in which the trade is settled), as well as additional transaction fees on certain activities of $2.25 to $50 per transaction. JPMorgan Chase Bank is also reimbursed for
its reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not limited to, registration and transfer fees and related legal fees.
JPMorgan Chase Bank may also be
paid for the following additional custody services:
•
|
$15 or $45 per
proxy (depending on the country where the issuer is located) for its service which helps facilitate the voting of proxies throughout the world. For securities in the U.S. market, this fee is waived if the Adviser votes the proxies directly;
|
•
|
$2,000 per year
for account maintenance for each custody collateral control account; |
•
|
$2.25 or $15 for
income or redemption processing (depending on whether the security is held book entry or physically); and |
•
|
$2.50
to $53.50 for each cash payment or receipt transaction. |
With respect to fund accounting
services, the following schedule shall be employed in the calculation of the fees payable for the services provided under the JPMorgan Custody Agreement. For purposes of determining the asset levels at which a tier applies, assets for that fund type
across J.P. Morgan Funds (including any Cayman subsidiaries) shall be used.
Money
Market Funds1: |
|
|
Tier
One |
First
$250 billion |
0.0013%
|
Tier
Two |
Over
$250 billion |
0.0010%
|
All
Funds except Money Market Funds: |
|
|
Tier
One |
Up
to $100 billion |
0.00375%
|
Tier
Two |
$100
billion to $175 billion |
0.0030%
|
Tier
Three |
Over
$175 billion |
0.0020%
|
Other
Fees: |
|
|
Additional
Share Classes (this additional class expense applies after the tenth class) |
|
$2,000
per Class |
Daily
Market-based Net Asset Value Calculation for Money Market Funds |
|
$15,000
per Fund |
Hourly
Net Asset Value Calculation for Money Market Funds |
|
$5,000
per Fund |
Floating
NAV Support for Money Market Funds |
|
$85,000
per Fund |
1 |
A cap on fund
accounting fees for each Money Market Fund will be set at $1,400,000 per year. This cap may be reviewed annually for possible adjustment. |
|
|
Annual
Minimums: |
|
Money
Market Funds |
$15,000
per Fund |
All
Other Funds |
$20,000
per Fund |
In addition, JPMorgan Chase
Bank provides additional servicing for certain types of more complex assets. The fees for these services include a transaction fee of $50 for each manual trade and an annual fee of $500 for each bank loan position held by a Fund. In addition,
JPMorgan Chase Bank will be paid fees of $0.50 to $4.50 per position per day for the valuation and processing of certain asset positions covered by these services.
If agreed-upon by the Funds and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, custodian fees may, from time to time, be reduced by amounts calculated as a percentage of uninvested balances for certain Funds.
A Fund and/or its Cayman
subsidiary, as applicable, may at times hold some of their assets in cash, which may subject the Fund and/or the Cayman subsidiary, as applicable, to additional risks and costs, such as increased credit exposure to the custodian bank and fees
imposed for cash balances. Cash positions may also hurt the Fund’s and/or the Cayman subsidiary’s performance.
TRANSFER AGENT
DST Asset Manager Solutions,
Inc. (formerly Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.) (“DST” or “Transfer Agent”), 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169, serves as each Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. As transfer agent and dividend
disbursing agent, DST is responsible for maintaining account records, detailing the ownership of Fund shares and for crediting income, capital gains and other changes in share ownership to shareholder accounts.
SECURITIES LENDING AGENT
To generate additional income,
certain Funds may lend up to 33 1⁄3% of their total assets pursuant to agreements
(“Borrower Agreements”) requiring that the loan be continuously secured by cash. Citibank serves as securities lending agent pursuant to the Securities Lending Agency Agreement effective October 4, 2018. To the extent that the Funds have
engaged in securities lending during the most recently completed fiscal year, information concerning the amounts of income and fees/compensation related to securities lending activities is included in Part I of the applicable Funds’ SAI in the
Fund’s next annual update to its registration statement.
Under the Securities Lending
Agency Agreement, Citibank acting as agent for the Funds, loans securities to approved borrowers pursuant to Borrower Agreements substantially in the form approved by the Board of Trustees in exchange for collateral. During the term of the loan, the
Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral in accordance with investment guidelines
contained in the Securities Lending Agency Agreement. The Fund retains the interest on cash collateral investments but is required to pay the borrower a rebate for the use of cash collateral. The net income earned on the securities lending (after
payment of rebates and the lending agent’s fee) is included in the Statement of Operations as income from securities lending (net in the Fund’s financial statements). Information on the investment of cash collateral is shown in the
Schedule of Portfolio Investments (in the Fund’s financial statements).
Under the Securities Lending
Agency Agreement, Citibank is entitled to a fee equal to 8% of (i) the investment income (net of rebates) on cash collateral delivered to Citibank on the Fund’s behalf in respect of any loans by the Borrowers; and (ii) fees paid by a Borrower
with respect to a Loan for which non-cash collateral is provided (to the extent that the Funds subsequently authorize Citibank to accept non-cash collateral for securities loans).
A report of a Fund’s
percentage on loan as of the prior calendar quarter may be obtained by calling the Financial Advisor Services Line at 1-800-343-1113. In addition, a report for the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds and JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds showing the
percentage on loan for the Funds as of the prior calendar quarter may be obtained by calling the Financial Advisor Services Line at 1-800-343-1113. Information concerning percentage on loan is derived from information provided by Citibank as the
securities lending agent, has not been audited and may differ from that reported in other publicly available information.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
The Trusts, on behalf of the
Funds, have entered into a shareholder servicing agreement, effective February 19, 2005, with JPMDS (“Shareholder Servicing Agreement”). Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement, JPMDS will provide, or cause its agents to provide, any
combination of the (i) personal shareholder liaison services and shareholder account information services (“Shareholder Services”) described below and/or (ii) other related services (“Other Related Services”) as also
described below. JPMDS is an affiliate of the Advisers, Administrator and JPMorgan Chase Bank.
“Shareholder
Services” include (a) answering shareholder inquiries (through electronic and other means) regarding account status and history, the manner in which purchases and redemptions of Fund shares may be effected, and certain other matters pertaining
to the Funds; (b) providing shareholders with information through electronic means; (c) assisting shareholders in completing application forms, designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (d) arranging for or
assisting shareholders with respect to the wiring of the funds to and from shareholder accounts in connection with shareholder orders to purchase, redeem or exchange shares; (e) verifying shareholder requests for changes to account information; (f)
handling correspondence from shareholders about their
accounts; (g)
assisting in establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts with the Trusts; and (h) providing other shareholder services as the Trusts or a shareholder may reasonably request, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
“Other Related
Services” include (a) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders for shares; (b) providing shareholders with account statements showing their purchases, sales, and positions in the applicable Fund; (c) processing dividend
payments for the applicable Fund; (d) providing sub-accounting services to the Trusts for shares held for the benefit of shareholders; (e) forwarding communications from the Trusts to shareholders, including proxy statements and proxy solicitation
materials, shareholder reports, dividend and tax notices, and updated Prospectuses and SAIs; (f) receiving, tabulating and transmitting proxies executed by shareholders; (g) facilitating the transmission and receipt of funds in connection with
shareholder orders to purchase, redeem or exchange shares; (h) developing and maintaining the Trusts’ website; (i) developing and maintaining facilities to enable transmission of share transactions by electronic and non-electronic means; (j)
providing support and related services to Financial Intermediaries in order to facilitate their processing of orders and communications with shareholders; (k) providing transmission and other functionalities for shares included in investment,
retirement, asset allocation, cash management or sweep programs or similar programs or services; and (l) developing and maintaining check writing functionality.
For details of fees paid by the
Funds to JPMDS for Shareholder Services and Other Related Services under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement, see “SHAREHOLDER SERVICING — Shareholder Services Fees” in Part I of this SAI.
To the extent it is not
otherwise required by its contractual agreement to limit a Fund’s expenses as described in the Prospectuses for the Funds, JPMDS may voluntarily agree from time to time to waive a portion of the fees payable to it under the Shareholder
Servicing Agreement with respect to each Fund on a month-to-month basis.
If not terminated, the
Shareholder Servicing Agreement will continue for successive one year terms beyond October 31 of each year, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Trustees
of the Trusts who are not parties to the Shareholder Servicing Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Shareholder Servicing Agreement may be terminated without penalty, on not less than 60 days’
prior written notice, by the Board of Trustees of the Trusts or by JPMDS. The Shareholder Servicing Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
JPMDS may enter into service
agreements with Financial Intermediaries under which it will pay all or a portion of such fees received from the Funds to such entities for performing Shareholder Services and/or Other Related Services, as described above, for shareholders. Such
Financial Intermediaries may include affiliates of JPMDS.
JPMDS, JPMIM or their
affiliates may from time to time, at its or their own expense, out of compensation retained by them from the Funds or from other sources available to them, make additional payments to certain Financial Intermediaries for performing “Other
Related Services” for their customers. These services include the services listed in paragraph beginning “Other Related Services” above. Such compensation does not represent an additional expense to the Funds or to their
shareholders, since it will be paid by JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates.
For shareholders that bank with
JPMorgan Chase Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank may aggregate investments in the Funds with balances held in JPMorgan Chase Bank accounts for purposes of determining eligibility for certain bank privileges that are based on specified minimum balance
requirements, such as reduced or no fees for certain banking services or preferred rates on loans and deposits.
JPMDS, the Funds and their
affiliates, agents and subagents may share certain information about shareholders and their accounts, as permitted by law and as described in the J.P. Morgan Funds Privacy Policy provided with your shareholder report, and also available on the J.P.
Morgan Funds website at www.jpmorganfunds.com.
EXPENSES
The Funds pay the expenses
incurred in their operations, including their pro-rata share of expenses of the Trusts. These expenses include: investment advisory and administrative fees; the compensation of the Trustees; registration fees; interest charges; taxes; expenses
connected with the execution, recording and
settlement of
security transactions; fees and expenses of the Funds’ custodian for all services to the Funds, including safekeeping of funds and securities and maintaining required books and accounts; expenses of preparing and mailing reports to investors
and to government offices and commissions; expenses of meetings of investors; fees and expenses of independent accountants, legal counsel and any transfer agent, registrar or dividend disbursing agent of the Trusts; insurance premiums; and expenses
of calculating the NAV of, and the net income on, shares of the Funds. Shareholder servicing and distribution fees are all allocated to specific classes of the Funds. In addition, the Funds may allocate transfer agency and certain other expenses by
class. Service providers to a Fund may, from time to time, voluntarily waive all or a portion of any fees to which they are entitled and/or reimburse certain expenses as they may determine from time to time. A Fund’s service providers may
discontinue or modify these voluntary actions at any time without notice. Performance for certain Funds reflects the voluntary waiver of fees and/or the reimbursement of expenses. Without these voluntary waivers and/or expense reimbursements,
performance would have been less favorable.
Prior to November 1, 2017, the
Administrator paid many of the ordinary expenses incurred by the JPMorgan SR Funds in their operations including organization costs, taxes, ordinary fees and expenses for legal and auditing services, fees and expenses of pricing services, the
expenses of preparing (including typesetting), printing and mailing reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy solicitation material and notices to existing shareholders, all expenses incurred in connection with issuing and
redeeming shares, the cost of custodial and fund accounting services, and the cost of initial and ongoing registration of the shares under Federal and state securities laws. Effective November 1, 2017, the JPMorgan SR Funds pay these expenses, as
noted in the preceding paragraph.
JPMIM and JPMDS have agreed that
they will waive fees or reimburse the Funds, as applicable, as described in the Prospectuses.
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
As described in “SHAREHOLDER SERVICING” in this SAI, JPMDS may enter into service agreements with Financial Intermediaries under which it will pay all or a portion of the shareholder servicing fees it receives from the
Funds to such Financial Intermediaries for performing Shareholder Services and/or Other Related Services for Financial Intermediaries’ customers who are shareholders of the Funds. In addition, as described in
“DISTRIBUTION PLAN” in this SAI, JPMDS may enter into Mutual Fund Sales Agreements with Financial Intermediaries under which it will pay all or a portion of the Distribution Fees it receives from
the Funds to such Financial Intermediaries for providing distribution services and marketing support.
In addition, the Funds may
enter into agreements with Financial Intermediaries pursuant to which the Funds will pay the Financial Intermediary for services such as networking, or sub-transfer agency and/or omnibus sub-accounting (collectively, “Omnibus
Sub-Accounting”) or networking. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of clients serviced by such Financial Intermediary up to a set maximum dollar amount per
shareholder account serviced, or (2) the number of accounts serviced by such Financial Intermediary. Any payments made pursuant to such agreements are in addition to, rather than in lieu of, Rule 12b-1 fees and shareholder servicing fees the
Financial Intermediary may also be receiving pursuant to agreements with the Distributor and shareholder servicing agent, respectively. From time to time, JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates may pay a portion of the fees for networking or Omnibus
Sub-Accounting at its or their own expense out of its or their own legitimate profits.
Financial Intermediaries may
offer additional services to their customers, including specialized procedures and payment for the purchase and redemption of Fund shares, such as pre-authorized or systematic purchase and redemption programs, “sweep” programs, cash
advances and redemption checks. Certain Financial Intermediaries may (although they are not required by the Trusts to do so) credit to the accounts of their customers from whom they are already receiving other fees amounts not exceeding such other
fees or the fees for their services as Financial Intermediaries.
Financial Intermediaries may
establish their own terms and conditions for providing their services and may charge investors a transaction-based or other fee for their services. Such charges may vary among Financial Intermediaries, but in all cases will be retained by the
Financial Intermediary and will not be remitted to a Fund or JPMDS.
Certain Funds have authorized
one or more Financial Intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on their behalf. Such Financial Intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on a Fund’s behalf. Such
Funds will be deemed to
have received a
purchase or redemption order when a Financial Intermediary or, if applicable, that Financial Intermediary’s authorized designee accepts the order. These orders will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next calculated after they are so
accepted.
Effective
April 3, 2017, the Funds ceased making direct payments to Financial Intermediaries for any applicable sub-transfer agency services. After this date, payments to Financial Intermediaries for sub-transfer agency services will be made by JPMDS from the
service fee (formerly known as “shareholder service fee”). From time to time, JPMIM or its affiliates may pay a portion of the sub-transfer agency fees at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits.
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES
JPMDS and
JPMIM at their own expense out of their own legitimate profits, may provide additional compensation (“Additional Compensation”) to Financial Intermediaries. Additional Compensation may also be paid by other affiliates of JPMDS and JPMIM
from time to time. These Additional Compensation payments are over and above any sales charges (including Rule 12b-1 fees), shareholder servicing, Omnibus Sub-Accounting or networking fees which are charged directly to the Funds and which are
disclosed elsewhere in the Funds’ prospectuses or in this SAI. The categories of Additional Compensation are described below. These categories are not mutually exclusive and JPMDS and JPMIM and/or their affiliates may pay additional types of
Additional Compensation in the future. The same Financial Intermediaries may receive payments under more than one or all categories. Not all Financial Intermediaries receive Additional Compensation payments and such payments may be different for
different Financial Intermediaries or different types of funds (e.g., equity fund or fixed income fund). These payments may be significant to a Financial Intermediary and may be an important factor in a Financial Intermediary’s willingness to
support the sale of the Funds through its distribution system. Additional Compensation payments are always made only to the firm, never to individuals other than occasional gifts and entertainment that are permitted by FINRA rules.
JPMIM and JPMDS and/or their
affiliates may be motivated to pay Additional Compensation to promote the sale of Fund shares to clients of Financial Intermediaries and the retention of those investments by those clients. To the extent Financial Intermediaries sell more shares of
the Funds or retain shares of the Funds in their clients’ accounts, JPMIM and JPMDS benefit from the incremental management and other fees paid by the Funds with respect to those assets.
The provision of Additional
Compensation, the varying fee structure and the basis on which a Financial Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Financial Intermediary, registered representative or
salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend funds, including the Funds, or other investments based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. Additionally, if one mutual fund sponsor makes greater distribution payments than another, a
Financial Intermediary may have an incentive to recommend that sponsor’s mutual fund over other mutual funds. Similarly, if a Financial Intermediary receives greater compensation for one share class versus another, that Financial Intermediary
may have an incentive to recommend that share class. Shareholders should consider whether such incentives exist when evaluating any recommendations from a Financial Intermediary to purchase or sell shares of the Funds and when considering which
share class is most appropriate. Shareholders should ask their salesperson or visit their Financial Intermediary’s website for more information.
Sales and Marketing Support. Additional Compensation may be paid to Financial Intermediaries for sales and marketing support. Marketing support may include access to a Financial Intermediary’s sales representatives and
management representatives. Additional Compensation may also be paid to Financial Intermediaries for inclusion of the Funds on a firm’s list of offered products including a preferred or select sales list, in other sales programs or as an
expense reimbursement. Additional Compensation may be calculated in basis points based on average net Fund assets attributable to the Financial Intermediary or sales of the Funds by the Financial Intermediary. Additional Compensation may also be
fixed dollar amounts.
From time to time, JPMIM and
JPMDS and their affiliates may provide, out of their own legitimate profits, financial assistance to Financial Intermediaries that enable JPMDS and JPMIM to sponsor and/or participate in and/or present at meeting, conferences or seminars, sales,
training or educational programs, client and investor events, client prospecting retention, and due diligence events and other firm-sponsored events or other programs for the Financial Intermediaries’ registered representatives and employees.
These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event, and may include travel expenses, such as lodging incurred by registered representatives of the Financial Intermediaries. In addition, JPMIM and
JPMDS and their
affiliates may pay or reimburse sales representatives of Financial Intermediaries in the form of occasional gifts and occasional meals or entertainment events that JPMIM and JPMDS or their affiliates deem appropriate, subject to applicable law and
regulations. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event or the relationship.
Administrative and Processing
Support. JPMIM and/or JPMDS may also pay Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries for their administrative and processing support, including (i) record keeping, Omnibus Sub-Accounting
and networking, to the extent that the Funds do not pay for these costs directly; (ii) reimbursement for ticket processing charges applied to Fund shares and (iii) one time payments for ancillary services such as setting up Funds on the Financial
Intermediary’s mutual fund trading system/platform.
Identification of Financial Intermediaries
The following is a list of
FINRA member firms that received Additional Compensation for the period ending January 31, 2021. This list includes FINRA members: (1) who have entered into written agreements with the Funds’ Adviser to receive Additional Compensation
(excluding payments made for Omnibus Sub-Accounting services); and/or (2) who have received Additional Compensation for events and meetings that were sponsored in whole or in part by JPMDS.
1.
|
Academy
Securities, Inc. |
2.
|
Allianz Life
Insurance Company of North America |
3.
|
American Veterans
Group, PBC |
4.
|
Ameriprise
Financial Services, Inc. |
5.
|
Apex Clearing
Corporation |
6.
|
Arlington Trust
Company Inc. |
7.
|
AXA Advisors, LLC
|
8.
|
BB&T
Securities, LLC |
9.
|
Bellator Asset
Management LLC (fka Drexel Hamilton Asset Management LLC) |
10.
|
BofA Securities
(fka Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith) |
11.
|
Broadridge
Business Process Outsourcing LLC |
12.
|
Cadaret Grant
& Co Inc. |
13.
|
Cambridge
Investment Research |
14.
|
Cetera Advisor
Networks LLC |
15.
|
Cetera Advisors
LLC |
16.
|
Cetera Financial
Specialists LLC |
17.
|
Cetera Investment
Services LLC |
18.
|
Charles Schwab
& Co Inc. |
19.
|
Citco Securities
Inc. |
20.
|
Citigroup Global
Markets, Inc. |
21.
|
Comerica
Securities, Inc. |
22.
|
Commonfund
Securities, Inc. |
23.
|
Commonwealth
Equity Services, Inc. (dba Commonwealth Financial Network) |
24.
|
Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC |
25.
|
DA
Davidson & Co |
26.
|
Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc. |
27.
|
Edward D Jones
& Co LP |
28.
|
Envestnet Asset
Management, Inc. |
29.
|
E*Trade Securities
LLC |
30.
|
Fidelity Brokerage
Services/National Financial Services LLC/FMR LLC |
31.
|
Fifth Third
Securities, Inc. |
32.
|
First Allied
Securities, Inc. |
33.
|
First Command
Financial Planning |
34.
|
Fi-Tek LLC
|
35.
|
FSC Securities
Corp.\Royal Alliance Associates\SagePoint Financial, Inc.\Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. |
36.
|
GWFS Equities,
Inc. |
37.
|
HazelTree Fund
Services, Inc. |
38.
|
Hilltop Securities
Inc. |
39.
|
Huntington
Investment Company |
40.
|
Ingalls &
Snyder, LLC |
41.
|
Institutional Bond
Network, LLC |
42.
|
Institutional Cash
Distributors, LLC |
43.
|
Investacorp,
Inc.\Securities America Inc.\Triad Advisors Inc. |
44.
|
J.P. Morgan
Clearing Corp |
45.
|
J.P. Morgan
Securities LLC |
46.
|
Janney Montgomery
Scott LLC |
47.
|
Ladenburg Thalmann
Advisor Network LLC |
48.
|
Lincoln Financial
Advisors Corp |
49.
|
Lincoln Financial
Distributors, Inc. |
50.
|
Lincoln Financial
Securities Corporation |
51.
|
Lincoln Investment
Planning, LLC |
52.
|
Lord Securities
Corporation d/b/a TMF Group New York, LLC |
53.
|
LPL Financial LLC
|
54.
|
M&T
Securities, Inc. |
55.
|
Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. |
56.
|
Mischler Financial
Group, Inc. |
57.
|
MML Investor
Services, LLC |
58.
|
Moreton Capital
Markets, LLC |
59.
|
Morgan Stanley
Smith Barney LLC |
60.
|
New York Life
Investments |
61.
|
NFP Advisor
Services, LLC |
62.
|
Northwestern
Mutual Investment Services LLC |
63.
|
Oppenheimer &
Co., Inc. |
64.
|
Pershing LLC
|
65.
|
PFS Investments,
Inc. |
66.
|
PNC Capital
Markets LLC |
67.
|
PNC Investments
LLC |
68.
|
Raymond James
& Associates, Inc.\Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. |
69.
|
RBC Capital
Markets, LLC |
70.
|
Robert W. Baird
& Co. Incorporated |
71.
|
Santander
Securities Corporation |
72.
|
Silicon Valley
Bank |
73.
|
State Street
Global Markets, LLC |
74.
|
Stifel Nicholaus
& Co Inc. |
75.
|
Summit Brokerage
Services, Inc. |
76.
|
SVB Asset
Management/U.S. Bank, N.A. |
77.
|
TD Ameritrade
|
78.
|
Texas Capital
Bank, NA |
79.
|
TMI Trust Company
|
80.
|
Transamerica
Capital Inc. |
81.
|
U.S. Bancorp
Investments Inc. |
82.
|
UBS Financial
Services |
83.
|
Voya Financial
Advisors, Inc. |
84.
|
Wedbush
Securities, Inc. |
85.
|
Wells Fargo
Clearing Services, LLC |
86.
|
Wells Fargo
Advisors Financial Network, LLC |
87.
|
Wells
Fargo Securities LLC |
Other Financial Intermediaries,
which are not members of FINRA, also may receive Additional Compensation.
For details of the amounts of
Additional Compensation paid by the Funds’ Adviser to Financial Intermediaries (including both FINRA and Non-FINRA members) pursuant to written agreements including agreements for networking and Omnibus Sub-Accounting for all of the Funds, see
“FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES — Other Cash Compensation” in Part I of this SAI.
For details of finders’ fee
paid to Financial Intermediaries, see “FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES —Finders’ Fee Commissions” in Part I of this SAI.
TRUST COUNSEL
The law firm of Dechert LLP, 1095
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, is counsel to the Trusts.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The independent registered
public accounting firm for the Trusts and the Funds is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducts an annual audit of the financial statements of each of the Funds and assists in the
preparation and/or review of each Fund’s federal and state income tax returns.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund declares and pays
dividends and distributions as described under “Distribution and Tax Matters” in the Prospectuses. Dividends may differ between classes as a result of differences in distribution expenses or other class-specific expenses.
Dividends and capital gains
distributions paid by a Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless the shareholder has elected to have them paid in cash. Dividends and distributions to be paid in cash are credited to the shareholder’s
pre-assigned bank account or are mailed by check in accordance with the customer’s instructions. The Funds reserve the right to discontinue, alter or limit the automatic reinvestment privilege at any time.
If a shareholder has elected to
receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to the shareholder’s address of record, such shareholder’s distribution option will automatically be
converted to having all dividend and other distributions reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks. With regard to Funds that accrue dividends daily, dividends will
only begin to accrue after a Fund receives payment for shares.
NET ASSET VALUE
Shares are sold at NAV per
share, plus a sales charge, if any. This is also known as the offering price. Shares are also redeemed at NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges. Each class of shares in each Fund has a different NAV. This is primarily because each class
has class specific expenses such as distribution and shareholder servicing fees.
The NAV per share of a class of
a Fund is equal to the value of all the assets attributable to that class, minus the liabilities attributable to that class, divided by the number of outstanding shares of that class. The Money Market Funds, excluding Prime Money Market Fund, will
continue to value their portfolio of securities using the amortized cost method provided that certain conditions are met, including that the Fund’s Board of Trustees continues to believe that the amortized cost valuation fairly reflects the
market-based NAV per share of the Fund. The purpose of this method of calculation is to attempt to maintain a constant NAV per share of each Fund of $1.00. No assurances can be given that this goal can be attained. The amortized cost method of
valuation values a security at its cost at the time of purchase and thereafter assumes an amortization that would produce a constant yield to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the instrument. The Board of Trustees has established procedures and directed certain officers of the Funds to monitor the differences between the NAVs calculated based on amortized cost and market value at predetermined intervals but no
less frequently than weekly, and to report to the Board of Trustees such differences. If a difference of more than 1/2 of 1% occurs between valuation based on the amortized cost method and valuation based on market value, the Board of Trustees may
take steps necessary to reduce such deviation if it believes that such deviation will result in material dilution or any unfair results to investors or existing shareholders. Actions that may be taken by the Board of Trustees include (i) redeeming
shares in kind, (ii) selling portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten the average maturity of portfolio securities, (iii) withholding or supplementing dividends (iv) utilizing a net asset value per
share as determined by using available market quotations, or (v) reducing the number of outstanding Fund shares. Any reduction of outstanding shares will be accomplished by having each shareholder contribute to a Fund’s capital the necessary
shares on a pro rata basis. Each shareholder will be deemed to have agreed to such contribution in these circumstances by his or her investment in the Funds. In its discretion, the Board of Trustees of the Money Market Funds may elect to calculate
the price of a Fund’s shares once per day. Further, with regard to the Money Market Funds, the Board of Trustees has empowered management to temporarily suspend one or more cut-off times for a Fund, other than the last cut-off time of the
day.
The NAV of each
class of shares of the Prime Money Market Fund is calculated using market-based values. The following is a discussion of the procedures used by the Funds in valuing their assets for market-based NAVs.
Securities for which market
quotations are readily available are generally valued at their current market value. Other securities and assets, including securities for which market quotations are not readily available; market quotations are determined not to be reliable; or,
their value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of trading on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a natural disaster affecting an entire country or region, or an event that
affects an individual company) but before a Fund’s NAV is calculated, may be valued at its fair value in
accordance with
policies and procedures adopted by the J.P. Morgan Funds’ Board of Trustees. Fair value represents a good faith determination of the value of a security or other asset based upon specifically applied procedures. Fair valuation determinations
may require subjective determinations. There can be no assurance that the fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair value was used in determining the Fund’s
NAV.
Equity securities
listed on a North American, Central American, South American or Caribbean (“Americas”) securities exchange are generally valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which the security is principally traded that is reported before
the time when the net assets of the Funds are valued. The value of securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. is generally the NASDAQ official closing price.
Generally, trading of foreign
equity securities on most foreign markets (i.e., non-Western hemisphere) is completed before the close in trading in U.S. markets. The Funds have implemented fair value pricing on a daily basis for all foreign equity securities and investments with
foreign equity reference obligations. The fair value pricing utilizes the quotations of an independent pricing service. Trading on foreign markets may also take place on days on which the U.S. markets and the Funds are closed.
Shares of exchange-traded funds
(ETFs) are generally valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which the ETF is principally traded. Shares of open-end mutual funds are valued at their respective NAVs.
Fixed income securities are
valued using market quotations supplied by approved independent third party pricing services, affiliated pricing services or broker/dealers. In determining security prices, pricing services and broker/dealers may consider a variety of inputs and
factors, including, but not limited to proprietary models that may take into account market transactions in securities with comparable characteristics, yield curves, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates,
underlying collateral and estimated cash flows.
Assets and liabilities initially
expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates from an approved independent pricing service as of 4:00 PM ET.
Options (e.g., on stock
indices or equity securities) traded on U.S. equity securities exchanges are valued at the composite mean price, using the National Best Bid and Offer quotes at the close of options trading on such exchanges.
Options traded on foreign
exchanges or U.S. commodity exchanges are valued at the settled price, or if no settled price is available, at the last sale price available prior to the calculation of a Fund’s NAV.
Exchange traded futures (e.g.,
on stock indices, debt securities or commodities) are valued at the settled price, or if no settled price is available, at the last sale price as of the close of the exchanges on which they trade.
Non-listed over-the-counter
options and futures are valued at the evaluated price provided by a counterparty or broker/dealer.
Swaps and structured notes are
priced generally by an approved independent third party or affiliated pricing service or at an evaluated price provided by a counterparty or broker/dealer.
Certain fixed income
securities and swaps may be valued using market quotations or valuations provided by pricing services affiliated with the Adviser. Valuations received by the Funds from affiliated pricing services are the same as those provided to other affiliated
and unaffiliated entities by these affiliated pricing services.
With respect to all Funds,
securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations do not represent the value at the time of pricing (including certain illiquid securities) are fair valued in accordance with policies and
procedures (“Policies”) established by and under the supervision and responsibility of the Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established an Audit and Valuation Committee to assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight of the valuation
of the Funds’ securities and delegated to J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (the “Administrator” or “JPMIM”), the responsibility for implementing
the day-to-day operational aspects of the valuation process. The Administrator has created the J.P. Morgan Asset Management (“JPMAM”) Americas Valuation Committee (“VC”) to oversee and carry out the Policies for the valuation
of investments held in the Funds. The VC is comprised of senior representatives from JPMIM, JPMAM Legal, Compliance and Risk Management and the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer. Fair value situations could include, but are not limited to: (1) a
significant event that
affects the value
of a Fund’s securities (e.g., news relating to natural disasters affecting an issuer’s operations or earnings announcements); (2) illiquid securities; (3) securities that may be defaulted or de-listed from an exchange and are no longer
trading; or (4) any other circumstance in which the VC believes that market quotations do not accurately reflect the value of a security.
From time to time, there may be
errors in the calculation of the NAV of a Fund or the processing of purchases and redemptions. Shareholders will generally not be notified of the occurrence of an error or the resolution thereof.
DELAWARE TRUSTS
JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV. JPMT I and JPMT II were each formed as Delaware statutory trusts on November 12, 2004 pursuant to separate Declarations of Trust dated November 5, 2004. JPMT I assumed J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Series’
(“JPMMFS”) registration pursuant to the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act effective after the close of business on February 18, 2005, and JPMT II assumed One Group Mutual Funds’ registration pursuant to the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act
effective after the close of business on February 18, 2005. JPMT IV was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on November 11, 2015 pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated November 11, 2015.
Under Delaware law,
shareholders of a statutory trust shall have the same limitation of personal liability that is extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the trust’s governing trust
instrument. JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s and JPMT IV’s Declarations of Trust each provides that shareholders of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by,
contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV or any series or class thereof. In addition, the Declarations of Trust each provides that neither JPMT I, JPMT II, JPMT IV, nor the Trustees, officers, employees, nor
agents thereof shall have any power to bind personally any shareholders nor to call upon any shareholder for payment of any sum of money or assessment other than such as the shareholder may personally agree to pay. Moreover, Declarations of Trust
for JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV each expressly provide that the shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability that is extended to shareholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated in the State of Delaware.
The Declarations of Trust of
JPMT I and JPMT II each provides for the indemnification out of the assets held with respect to a particular series of shares of any shareholder or former shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of a claim or demand relating to the
person being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions. The Declarations of Trust of JPMT I and JPMT II each also provide that JPMT I and JPMT II, on behalf of the applicable series, may, at its option
with prior written notice, assume the defense of any claim made against a shareholder.
JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s
and JPMT IV’s Declarations of Trust each provides that JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV will indemnify their respective Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in which they may be involved
because of their offices with JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV, unless, as to liability to JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV, or the shareholders thereof, the Trustees engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of their offices. In addition, the Declarations of Trust each provides that any Trustee who has been determined to be an “audit committee financial expert” shall not be subject to a greater liability or
duty of care because of such determination.
JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV
shall continue without limitation of time subject to the provisions in the Declarations of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders or by action of the Trustees upon written notice to the shareholders.
JPMT I is party to an Agreement
and Plan of Investment and Transfer of Assets dated January 17, 2006 pursuant to which it has agreed, out of the assets and property of certain Funds, to indemnify and hold harmless JPMorgan Chase Bank, in its corporate capacity and as trustee of
certain common trust funds, and each of its directors and officers, for any breach by JPMT I of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements under such Agreement or any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading
statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by JPMT I or its Board of Trustees or officers, related to the transfer of assets from certain common trust funds to the respective Funds and other related
transactions.
MASSACHUSETTS TRUSTS
JPMMFIT and UMF. JPMMFIT and UMF are organized as Massachusetts business trusts. The Growth Advantage Fund is a separate and distinct series of JPMMFIT. The JPMorgan Realty Income Fund and the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund
are each a separate and distinct series of UMF. Copies of the Declarations of Trust of JPMMFIT and UMF are on file in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Declarations of Trust and By-laws of each of JPMMFIT and UMF
are designed to make each Trust similar in most respects to a Massachusetts business corporation. The principal distinction between the two forms concerns shareholder liability as described below.
Under Massachusetts law,
shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust, which is not the case for a corporation. However, each of JPMMFIT and UMF’s Declarations of Trust provide
that the shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the acts or obligations of a Fund and that every written agreement, obligation, instrument or undertaking made on behalf of a Fund shall contain a provision to the effect that
the shareholders are not personally liable thereunder.
No personal liability will
attach to the shareholders under any undertaking containing such provision when adequate notice of such provision is given, except possibly in a few jurisdictions. With respect to all types of claims in the latter jurisdictions, (i) tort claims,
(ii) contract claims where the provision referred to is omitted from the undertaking, (iii) claims for taxes, and (iv) certain statutory liabilities in other jurisdictions, a shareholder may be held personally liable to the extent that claims are
not satisfied by the Funds. However, upon payment of such liability, the shareholder will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Funds. The Boards of Trustees intend to conduct the operations of JPMMFIT and UMF in such a way so
as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Funds.
JPMMIT and UMF’s
Declarations of Trust provides that each of JPMMFIT and UMF will indemnify their respective Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with
JPMMFIT and UMF, unless, as to liability to JPMMFIT, UMF or their shareholders, it is finally adjudicated that the Trustees engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in their offices or
with respect to any matter unless it is finally adjudicated that they did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of JPMMFIT or UMF. In the case of settlement, such indemnification will not be
provided unless it has been determined by a court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or by a reasonable determination based upon a review of readily available facts, by vote of a majority of disinterested Trustees or in a
written opinion of independent counsel, that such officers or Trustees have not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties.
JPMMFIT and UMF shall continue
without limitation of time subject to the provisions in each of JPMMFIT and UMF’s Declarations of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders or by action of the Trustees upon notice to the shareholders.
MARYLAND CORPORATION
JPMFMFG. JPMFMFG is a diversified open-end management investment company which was organized as a Maryland corporation, on August 19, 1997. Effective April 30, 2003, the name of JPMFMFG was changed from Fleming Mutual Fund
Group, Inc. to J.P. Morgan Fleming Mutual Fund Group, Inc.
The Articles of Incorporation
of JPMFMFG provide that a Director shall be liable only for his own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the selection of officers, agents, employees or investment advisers, shall not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing
of any such person. The Articles of Incorporation also provide that JPMFMFG will indemnify its Directors and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened litigation in which they may be involved because
of their offices with JPMFMFG to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, nothing in the Articles of Incorporation shall protect or indemnify a Director against any liability for his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of his duties.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Shares of JPMT I, JPMT II and
JPMT IV. JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV are open-end, management investment companies organized as Delaware statutory trusts. Each Fund represents a separate series of shares of beneficial interest. See “Delaware
Trusts.”
The
Declarations of Trust of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV each permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares ($0.0001 par value) of one or more series and classes within any series and to divide or combine the shares of
any series or class without materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of such shares of such series or class in the assets held with respect to that series. Each share represents an equal beneficial interest in the net assets of a
Fund with each other share of that Fund. The Trustees of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV may authorize the issuance of shares of additional series and the creation of classes of shares within any series with such preferences, voting powers, rights,
duties and privileges as the Trustees may determine; however, the Trustees may not classify or change outstanding shares in a manner materially adverse to shareholders of each share. Upon liquidation of a Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro
rata in the net assets of a Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. The rights of redemption and exchange are described in the Prospectuses and elsewhere in this SAI.
The shareholders of each Fund
are entitled to one vote for each dollar of NAV (or a proportionate fractional vote with respect to the remainder of the NAV of shares, if any), on matters on which shares of a Fund shall be entitled to vote. Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees
themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, to lengthen their own terms, or to make their terms of unlimited duration subject to certain removal procedures, and appoint their own successors, provided,
however, that immediately after such appointment the requisite majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV respectively. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative with respect to the
election of Trustees. It is the intention of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV not to hold meetings of shareholders annually. The Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required by either the 1940 Act or the
Declarations of Trust of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV.
Each share of a series or class
represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or
class. Expenses of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all of their series in a manner deemed by the Trustees to be fair and equitable. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion
rights, and when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares of each series or class generally vote together, except when required under federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that may affect a particular class, such as the
approval of distribution plans for a particular class.
The Trustees of JPMT I, JPMT II
and JPMT IV may, without shareholder approval (unless otherwise required by applicable law): (i) cause JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV, to merge or consolidate with or into one or more trusts (or series thereof to the extent permitted by law),
partnerships, associations, corporations or other business entities (including trusts, partnerships, associations, corporations, or other business entities created by the Trustees to accomplish such merger or consolidation) so long as the surviving
or resulting entity is an investment company as defined in the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, that will succeed to or assume JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s or JPMT IV’s registration under the 1940 Act and that is formed, organized, or
existing under the laws of the U.S. or of a state, commonwealth, possession or territory of the U.S., unless otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act; (ii) cause any one or more series or classes of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV to merge or consolidate
with or into any one or more other series or classes of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV one or more trusts (or series or classes thereof to the extent permitted by law), partnerships, associations, corporations; (iii) cause the shares to be exchanged
under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted by law; or (iv) cause JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV to reorganize as a corporation, limited liability company or limited liability partnership under the laws of Delaware or any
other state or jurisdiction. However, the exercise of such authority may be subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act.
The Trustees may, without
shareholder vote, generally restate, amend or otherwise supplement JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s or JPMT IV’s governing instruments, including the Declarations of Trust and the By-Laws, without the approval of shareholders, subject to
limited exceptions, such as the right to elect Trustees.
The Trustees, without obtaining
any authorization or vote of shareholders, may change the name of any series or class or dissolve or terminate any series or class of shares.
Shares have no subscription or
preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus and this SAI, JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s or JPMT IV’s Shares will be fully paid
and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV Shares of a Fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the Fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the
relative asset values of the respective Funds, of any general assets not belonging to any particular Fund which are available for distribution.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act
provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders
of a majority of the outstanding Shares of each Fund affected by the matter. For purposes of determining whether the approval of a majority of the outstanding Shares of a Fund will be required in connection with a matter, a Fund will be deemed to be
affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each Fund in the matter are identical, or that the matter does not affect any interest of the Fund. Under Rule 18f-2, the approval of an investment advisory agreement or any change in
investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a Fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Fund. However, Rule 18f-2 also provides that the ratification of independent public accountants, the approval
of principal underwriting contracts, and the election of Trustees may be effectively acted upon by Shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.
Each share class of a Fund has
exclusive voting rights with respect to matters pertaining to the Fund’s Distribution and Shareholder Services Plans, Distribution Plans or Shareholder Services Plan applicable to those classes.
Shares of JPMMFIT and UMF. JPMMFIT and UMF are an open-end, management investment companies which are organized as Massachusetts business trusts. The Growth Advantage Fund represents a separate series of shares of beneficial interest of JPMMFIT.
The JPMorgan Realty Income Fund and the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund are each a separate and distinct series of UMF. See “Massachusetts Trusts.”
The Declarations of Trust of
each of JPMMFIT and UMF permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares ($0.001 par value) of one or more series and classes within any series and to divide or combine the shares (of any series, if applicable) without
changing the proportionate beneficial interest of each shareholder in the Fund (or in the assets of other series, if applicable). Each share represents an equal proportional interest in a Fund with each other share. Upon liquidation of a Fund,
holders are entitled to share pro-rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. See “Massachusetts Trusts.” The rights of redemption and exchange are described in the Prospectuses and elsewhere in
this SAI.
The
shareholders of each Fund are entitled to one vote for each whole share (with fractional shares entitled to a proportionate fractional vote) on matters on which shares of the Fund shall be entitled to vote. Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees
themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, to lengthen their own terms, or to make their terms of unlimited duration subject to certain removal procedures, and appoint their own successors, provided,
however, that immediately after such appointment the requisite majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of JPMMFIT and UMF, respectively. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative so that holders of more than 50% of
the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected while the shareholders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees. It is the intention of JPMMFIT and UMF not to hold meetings of shareholders annually. The
Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required by either the 1940 Act or the Declarations of Trust.
Each share of a series or class
represents an equal proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or class.
Expenses of JPMMFIT and UMF which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all of its series in a manner believed by management of JPMMFIT and UMF to be fair and equitable. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion
rights. Shares when issued are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. Shares of each series or class generally vote together, except when required under federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that may affect a
particular class, such as the approval of distribution plans for a particular class.
The Trustees may, however,
authorize the issuance of shares of additional series and the creation of classes of shares within any series with such preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine. The proceeds from the issuance
of any additional series would be invested in separate, independently managed Funds with distinct investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and share purchase, redemption and net asset valuation procedures. Any additional classes would be
used to distinguish among the rights of different categories of shareholders, as might be required by future regulations or other unforeseen circumstances. All consideration received by each Fund for shares of any additional series or class, and all
assets in which such consideration is invested, would belong to that series or class, subject only to the rights of creditors of the Fund and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Shareholders of any additional series or class will
approve the adoption of any management contract or distribution plan relating to such series or class and of any changes in the investment policies related thereto, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
Shareholders of each Fund have
the right, upon the declaration in writing or vote of more than two-thirds of its outstanding shares, to remove a Trustee. The Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on removal of a Trustee upon the written request of the record
holders of 10% of each Fund’s shares. In addition, whenever ten or more shareholders of record who have been such for at least six months preceding the date of application, and who hold in the aggregate either shares having a NAV of at least
$25,000 or at least 1% of outstanding shares, whichever is less, in the case of JPMMFIT, or having at least 1% of outstanding shares, in the case of UMF, shall apply to the Trustees in writing, stating that they wish to communicate with other
shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to request a meeting for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of the Trustee or Trustees and accompanied by a form of communication and request which they wish to transmit, the Trustees
shall within five business days after receipt of such application either: (1) afford to such applicants access to a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders as recorded on the books of the Trust; or (2) inform such applicants as to the
approximate number of shareholders of record, and the approximate cost of mailing to them the proposed communication and form of request. If the Trustees elect to follow the latter course, the Trustees, upon the written request of such applicants,
accompanied by a tender of the material to be mailed and of the reasonable expenses of mailing, shall, with reasonable promptness, mail such material to all shareholders of record at their addresses as recorded on the books, unless within five
business days after such tender the Trustees shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement signed by at least a majority of the Trustees to the effect that in their
opinion either such material contains untrue statements of fact or omits to state facts necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading, or would be in violation of applicable law, and specifying the basis of such opinion. After
opportunity for hearing upon the objections specified in the written statements filed, the SEC may, and if demanded by the Trustees or by such applicants shall, enter an order either sustaining one or more of such objections or refusing to sustain
any of them. If the SEC shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections, or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections
so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustees shall mail copies of such material to all shareholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender.
For information relating to
mandatory redemption of Fund shares or their redemption at the option of JPMMFIT and UMF under certain circumstances, see “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges.”
Shares of JPMFMFG. The Articles of Incorporation of JPMFMFG, as supplemented, permit the classes of JPMFMFG to offer 1,262,500,000 shares of common stock, with $.001 par value per share. Pursuant to JPMFMFG’s Articles of
Incorporation, the Board may increase the number of shares that the classes of JPMFMFG are authorized to issue without the approval of the shareholders of each class of JPMFMFG. The Board of Directors has the power to designate and redesignate any
authorized but unissued shares of capital stock into one or more classes of shares and separate series within each such class, to fix the number of shares in any such class or series and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares with respect to
such class or series.
Each share of a series in
JPMFMFG represents an equal proportionate interest in that series with each other share. Shares are entitled upon liquidation to a pro rata share in the net assets of the series. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. All consideration received by
JPMFMFG for shares of any series and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that series and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued.
Under Maryland law, JPMFMFG is not
required to hold an annual meeting of its shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act.
Each share in each series of
the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that series of the Fund with each other share of that series of the Fund. The shares of each series and class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series
or class. Expenses of JPMFMFG which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all the series and classes in a manner believed by management of JPMFMFG to be fair and equitable. Shares of each series or class generally
vote together, except when required by federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that may affect a particular series or class differently, such as approval of a distribution plan.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE
As described in the
Prospectuses and pursuant to the procedures approved by the Trustees, each business day, a Fund will make available to the public upon request to J.P. Morgan Funds Services or the J.P. Morgan Institutional Funds Service Center (1-800-480-4111 or
1-800-766-7722, as applicable) a complete, uncertified schedule of its portfolio holdings as of the prior business day for the Money Market Funds and as of the last day of that prior month for all other Funds. In addition, from time to time, each
Fund may post portfolio holdings on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website on a more timely basis.
The Funds’ publicly
available uncertified, complete list of portfolio holdings information, as described above, may also be provided regularly pursuant to a standing request, such as on a monthly or quarterly basis, to (i) third party service providers, rating and
ranking agencies, financial intermediaries, and affiliated persons of the Funds and (ii) clients of the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates that invest in the Funds or such clients’ consultants. No compensation or other consideration is
received by a Fund or the Fund’s Adviser, or any other person for these disclosures.
For a list of the entities that
receive the Funds’ portfolio holdings information, the frequency with which it is provided and the length of the lag between the date of the information and the date it is disclosed, see “PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE” in Part I of
this SAI.
In addition,
the Funds may for legitimate business purposes release portfolio holdings earlier than the time period specified in the applicable prospectus to certain service providers to the Funds or the Adviser, any sub-advisers, Administrator, Shareholder
Servicing Agent, Distributor or Custodian, including rating and ranking agencies, pricing services, proxy voting service providers, accountants, attorneys, custodians, securities lending agents (to the extent the Funds engage in securities lending),
consultants retained to assist in the drafting of management discussion of fund performance in shareholder reports, brokers in connection with Fund transactions and in providing pricing quotations, transfer agents and entities providing CDSC
financing (released weekly one day after trade date). The Funds may also release portfolio holdings to the Adviser and affiliates of JPMorgan Chase for the limited purposes of hedging seed capital investment of the Adviser in the Funds, risk
management, and for regulatory reporting purposes applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries. The Adviser and affiliates of JPMorgan Chase may also have access to portfolio holdings of certain Funds for the limited purpose of
hedging the Adviser's liability to pay deferred compensation to portfolio managers and other eligible employees based on the performance of certain designated Funds. The Funds will also provide portfolio holdings information earlier than the time
periods specified in the applicable prospectus to the Investment Company Institute (the “ICI”) to support the ICI’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the mutual fund industry. When a Fund redeems a shareholder in kind, the shareholder
generally receives its proportionate share of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and, therefore, the shareholder and its agent may receive such information earlier than the time period specified in the Prospectuses. Such holdings are released on
conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g.,
attorney–client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions, Codes of Ethics and Informational Barriers applicable to JPMorgan Chase and its affiliates).
Disclosure of a Fund’s
portfolio securities as an exception to the Funds’ normal business practice requires the business unit proposing such exception to identify a legitimate business purpose for the disclosure and to submit the proposal to the Fund’s
Treasurer for approval following business and legal review. Additionally, no compensation or other consideration is received by a Fund or the Fund’s Adviser, or any other person for these disclosures. The Funds’ Trustees will review
annually a list of such entities that have received such information, the frequency of such disclosures and the business purpose therefor. These procedures are designed to address conflicts of interest between the Funds’ shareholders on the
one hand and the Fund’s Adviser or any affiliated person of the Fund or such entities on the other hand by creating a structured review and approval process which seeks to ensure that disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio
securities is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. There can be no
assurance,
however, that a Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information will prevent the misuse of such information by individuals or firms in possession of such information.
In addition to the foregoing,
the portfolio holdings of certain of the Adviser’s separately managed account investment strategies and other vehicles advised or sub-advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, which are the same or substantially similar to certain of the J.P.
Morgan Funds, are made available on a more timely basis than the time period specified in the applicable prospectus. In some cases, such portfolio holdings are made publicly available on a daily basis. While not expected, it is possible that a
recipient of portfolio holdings information for a Fund or other similarly managed account or vehicle could cause harm to a Fund, including by trading ahead of or against a Fund based on the information received. This risk may be higher for the
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income Fund, on a daily basis, which discloses its holdings information as of the prior business day. JPMorgan Equity Premium Income Fund may also post on a daily basis certain additional information about the equity linked
notes held by the Fund. Each Fund reserves the right to exclude any portion of its holdings from publication or reduce the frequency of disclosure if deemed by the Board or Adviser to be in the best interest of the Fund.
In addition, the portfolio
managers of certain Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts have periodic access to risk exposure information such as currency, sector, region, country, asset class, credit quality, volatility characteristics, VaR and stress information, exposure
versus benchmarks, duration and ESG ratings of the underlying Funds in which such Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts invest. While such reports do not disclose individual portfolio holdings of the underlying Funds, they are derived from daily
portfolio holdings of the underlying Funds. The Adviser has adopted procedures to determine that: (1) ongoing disclosure continues to strike an appropriate balance between the need of the Funds-of-Funds’ and separate accounts’ portfolio
managers to have access to such information and protecting an underlying Fund from potentially harmful disclosure and (2) the disclosure of such risk exposure information is unlikely to be harmful to an underlying fund or its shareholders.
Finally, the Funds release
information concerning any and all portfolio holdings when required by law. Such releases may include providing information concerning holdings of a specific security to the issuer of such security. With regard to the Money Market Funds, not later
than five business days after the end of each calendar month, each Fund will post detailed information regarding its portfolio holdings, as well as its dollar-weighted average maturity and dollar-weighted average life, as of the last day of that
month on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website and provide a link to the SEC website where the most recent twelve months of publicly available information filed by the Fund may be obtained. In addition, not later than five business days after the end
of each calendar month, each Money Market Fund will file a schedule of detailed information regarding its portfolio holdings as of the last day of that month with the SEC. These filings will be publicly available on the J.P. Morgan Funds’
website at www.jpmorganfunds.com and the SEC’s website. Each business day, each money market will make available upon request an uncertified complete schedule of its portfolio holdings as of the prior business day. In addition, each money
market fund may post portfolio holdings on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website or on other external websites. In addition, on each business day, all money market funds will post their level of weekly liquid assets, net flows and market-based NAV
per shares as of the prior business day, with a rolling six month history, and the money market funds (other than tax free and municipal money market funds) will post their level of daily liquid assets, with a rolling six month history, as of the
prior business day on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website at www.jpmorganfunds.com. In addition to information on portfolio holdings, no sooner than 10 days after month end, the Funds may post a portfolio characteristics summary to the J.P. Morgan
Funds’ website at www.jpmorganfunds.com. In addition, other fund statistical information may be found on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website from time to time.
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
The Board of Trustees has
delegated to the Advisers and their affiliated advisers, proxy voting authority with respect to the Funds’ portfolio securities. To ensure that the proxies of portfolio companies are voted in the best interests of the Funds, the Funds’
Board of Trustees has adopted the Adviser’s detailed proxy voting procedures (the “Procedures”) that incorporate guidelines (“Guidelines”) for voting proxies on specific types of issues for the Funds other than the
Behavioral Value Fund. Proxy voting for the Behavioral Value Fund has been delegated to Fuller & Thaler, the Fund’s sub-adviser. Fuller & Thaler votes proxies for the Fund in accordance with the proxy voting policies and procedures as
described at the end of this section under Fuller & Thaler.
The Adviser and its affiliated
advisers are part of a global asset management organization with the capability to invest in securities of issuers located around the globe. Because the regulatory framework and the business cultures and practices vary from region to region, the
Guidelines are customized for each region to take into account such variations. Separate Guidelines cover the regions of (1) North America, (2) Europe, Middle East, Africa, Central America and South America (“EMEA”), (3) Asia (ex-Japan)
and (4) Japan, respectively. In addition, the Adviser has adopted Sustainable Strategy Proxy Voting Guidelines (“Sustainable Proxy Guidelines”) for sustainable strategies identified on Exhibit A to the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines. The
Sustainable Proxy Guidelines replace Section 12 in the North America Guidelines for such sustainable strategies including such Funds as approved by the Board of Trustees. All other sections of the North America Guidelines and other regional
Guidelines will continue to apply to such sustainable strategies. The Board of Trustees has adopted the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines for the JPMorgan U.S. Sustainable Leaders Fund.
Notwithstanding the variations
among the Guidelines, all of the Guidelines have been designed with the uniform objective of encouraging corporate action that enhances shareholder value consistent with each Fund's objectives and strategies. As a general rule, in voting proxies of
a particular security, the Adviser and its affiliated advisers will apply the Guidelines of the region in which the issuer of such security is organized. Except as noted below, proxy voting decisions will be made in accordance with the Guidelines
covering a multitude of both routine and non-routine matters that the Adviser and its affiliated advisers have encountered globally, based on many years of collective investment management experience.
To oversee and monitor the
proxy-voting process, the Adviser has established a proxy committee and appointed a proxy administrator in each global location where proxies are voted. The primary function of each proxy committee is to review periodically general proxy-voting
matters, review and approve the Guidelines annually, and provide advice and recommendations on general proxy-voting matters as well as on specific voting issues. The procedures permit an independent voting service to perform certain services
otherwise carried out or coordinated by the proxy administrator.
Although for many matters the
Guidelines specify the votes to be cast, for many others, the Guidelines contemplate case-by-case determinations. In addition, there will undoubtedly be proxy matters that are not contemplated by the Guidelines. For both of these categories of
matters and to override the Guidelines, the Procedures require a certification and review process to be completed before the vote is cast. That process is designed to identify actual or potential material conflicts of interest (between the Fund on
the one hand, and the Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter or an affiliate of any of the foregoing, on the other hand) and ensure that the proxy vote is cast in the best interests of the Fund. A conflict is deemed to exist when the
proxy is for JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock or for J.P. Morgan Funds, or when the proxy administrator has actual knowledge indicating that a JPMorgan affiliate is an investment banker or rendered a fairness opinion with respect to the matter that is
the subject of the proxy vote. When such conflicts are identified, the proxy will be voted by an independent third party either in accordance with JPMorgan proxy voting guidelines or by the third party using its own guidelines; provided, however,
that the Adviser’s investment professional(s) may request an exception to this process to vote against a proposal rather than referring it to an independent third party (“Exception Request”) where the proxy administrator has actual
knowledge indicating that a JPMorgan Chase affiliate is an investment banker or rendered a fairness opinion with respect to the matter that is the subject of the proxy vote. The applicable proxy committee shall review the Exception Request and shall
determine whether the Adviser should vote against the proposal or whether such proxy should still be referred to an independent third party due to the potential for additional conflicts or otherwise.
When other types of potential
material conflicts of interest are identified, the applicable proxy administrator and, as necessary and applicable, a legal representative from the applicable proxy committee will evaluate the potential conflict of interest and determine whether
such conflict actually exists, and if so, will recommend how the Adviser will vote the proxy. In addressing any material conflict, the Adviser may take one or more of the following measures (or other appropriate action): removing or “walling
off” from the proxy voting process certain Adviser personnel with knowledge of the conflict, voting in accordance with any applicable Guideline if the application of the Guideline would objectively result in the casting of a proxy vote in a
predetermined manner, or deferring the vote to or obtaining a recommendation from an independent third party, in which case the proxy will be voted by, or in accordance with the recommendation of, the independent third party.
The following summarizes some of
the more noteworthy types of proxy voting policies of the North America Guidelines:
•
|
The Adviser
considers votes on director nominees on a case-by-case basis. Votes generally will be withheld from directors who: (a) attend less than 75% of board and committee meetings without a valid excuse; (b) adopt or renew a poison pill without shareholder
approval; (c) are affiliated directors who serve on audit, compensation or nominating committees or are affiliated directors and the full board serves on such committees or the company does not have such committees; (d) ignore a shareholder proposal
that is approved by a majority of either the shares outstanding or the votes cast based on a review over a consecutive two year time frame; (e) are insiders and affiliated outsiders on boards that are not at least majority independent; or (f) are
CEOs of publicly-traded companies who serve on more than three public boards or serve on more than four public company boards. In addition, votes are generally withheld for directors who serve on committees in certain cases. For example, the Adviser
generally withholds votes from audit committee members in circumstances in which there is evidence that there exists material weaknesses in the company’s internal controls. Votes generally are also withheld from directors when there is a
demonstrated history of poor performance or inadequate risk oversight or when the board adopts changes to the company’s governing documents without shareholder approval if the changes materially diminish shareholder rights. Votes generally
will be withheld from Board chair, lead independent directors, or government committee chairs of publicly traded companies where employees have departed for significant violation of code of conduct without claw back of compensation. |
•
|
The Adviser
votes proposals to classify boards on a case-by-case basis, but normally will vote in favor of such proposal if the issuer’s governing documents contain each of eight enumerated safeguards (for example, a majority of the board is composed of
independent directors and the nominating committee is composed solely of such directors). |
•
|
The Adviser also
considers management poison pill proposals on a case-by-case basis, looking for shareholder-friendly provisions before voting in favor. |
•
|
The Adviser votes
against proposals for a super-majority vote to approve a merger. |
•
|
The Adviser
considers proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan on a case-by-case basis, taking into account such factors as the extent of dilution and whether the transaction will result in a
change in control. |
•
|
The Adviser
considers vote proposals with respect to compensation plans on a case-by-case basis. The analysis of compensation plans focuses primarily on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders) and includes an analysis
of the structure of the plan and pay practices of other companies in the relevant industry and peer companies. Other matters included in the analysis are the amount of the company’s outstanding stock to be reserved for the award of stock
options, whether the exercise price of an option is less than the stock’s fair market value at the date of the grant of the options, and whether the plan provides for the exchange of outstanding options for new ones at lower exercise prices.
|
•
|
The Adviser
also considers on a case-by-case basis proposals to change an issuer’s state of incorporation, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate restructuring proposals and certain social issue proposals. |
•
|
The Adviser
generally votes for management proposals which seek shareholder approval to make the state of incorporation the exclusive forum for disputes if the company is a Delaware corporation; otherwise, the Adviser votes on a case by case basis. |
•
|
The
Adviser supports board refreshment, independence, and a diverse skill set for directors. As a matter of principle, the Adviser expects its investee companies to be committed to diversity and inclusiveness in their general recruitment policies as we
believe such diversity contributes to the effectiveness of boards. The Adviser will utilize its voting power to bring about change where Boards are lagging in gender and racial/ethnic diversity. The Adviser will generally vote against the chair of
the Nominating Committee when the issuer does not disclose the gender or racial and ethnic composition of the Board, with adequate diversity data considered as adequate in instances where individual directors do not wish to disclose personal
identification. The Adviser will also generally vote against the chair of the Nominating Committee when the issuer lacks any gender diversity or any racial/ethnic diversity unless there are mitigating factors such as recent retirement of relevant
directors, a relatively new public company, and an ongoing search for a director. |
•
|
The Adviser
reviews Say on Pay proposals on a case by case basis with additional review of proposals where the issuer’s previous year’s proposal received a low level of support. |
The following summarizes some of
the more noteworthy types of proxy voting policies of Section 12 Social and Environmental Issues from the North America Guidelines:
•
|
The Adviser
generally encourages a level of reporting on environmental matters that is not unduly costly or burdensome and which does not place the company at a competitive disadvantage, but which provides meaningful information to enable shareholders to
evaluate the impact of the company’s environmental policies and practices on its financial performance. In general, the Adviser supports management disclosure practices that are overall consistent with the goals and objective expressed above.
Proposals with respect to companies that have been involved in controversies, fines or litigation are expected to be subject to heightened review and consideration. |
•
|
In evaluating
how to vote environmental proposals, key considerations may include, but are not limited to, issuer considerations such as asset profile of the company, including whether it is exposed to potentially declining demand for the company’s products
or services due to environmental considerations; cash deployments; cost structure of the company, including its position on the cost curve, expected impact of future carbon tax and exposure to high fixed operating costs; corporate behavior of the
company; demonstrated capabilities of the company, its strategic planning process, and past performance; current level of disclosure of the company and consistency of disclosure across its industry; and whether the company incorporates environmental
or social issues in a risk assessment or risk reporting framework. The Adviser may also consider whether peers have received similar proposals and if so, were the responses transparent and insightful; would adoption of the proposal inform and
educate shareholders; and have companies that adopted the proposal provided insightful and meaningful information that would allow shareholders to evaluate the long-term risks and performance of the company; does the proposal require disclosure that
is already addressed by existing and proposed mandated regulatory requirements or formal guidance at the local, state, or national level or the company’s existing disclosure practices; and does the proposal create the potential for unintended
consequences such as a competitive disadvantage. |
•
|
The Adviser
votes against the chair of the committee responsible for providing oversight of environmental matters and/or risk where the Adviser believes the company is lagging peers in terms of disclosure, business practices or targets. The Adviser also votes
against committee members, lead independent director and/or board chair for companies that have lagged over several years. |
•
|
With regard to
social issues, among other factors, the Adviser considers the company’s labor practices, supply chain, how the company supports and monitors those issues, what types of disclosure the company and its peers currently provide, and whether the
proposal would result in a competitive disadvantage for the company. |
•
|
The
Adviser expects Boards to provide oversight of human capital management which includes the company management of its workforce, use of full time versus part time employees, workforce cost, employee engagement and turnover, talent development,
retention and training, compliance record and health and safety. As an engaged and diverse employee base is integral to a company’s ability to innovate, respond to a diverse customer base and engage with diverse communities and deliver
shareholder returns, the Adviser will generally support shareholder resolutions seeking the company to disclose data on workforce demographics including diversity, and release of EEO-1 or comparable data where such disclosure is deemed by the
Adviser as inadequate. |
Sustainable Proxy Guidelines. For the JPMorgan U.S. Sustainable Leaders Fund, the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines are used in lieu of Section 12 of the North America Guidelines. The following summarizes some of the more noteworthy types of proxy
voting policies of the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines:
•
|
In voting
shares of securities under the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines, the Adviser considers good corporate governance, the ethical behavior of corporations and the social and environmental impact of such companies’ actions consistent with the
applicable Fund’s objectives and strategies. The Adviser believes that disclosure and benchmarking of performance versus peers can enable an issuer to generate better long-term performance. The Adviser generally encourages reporting that is
|
|
material,
informative and does not place the company at a competitive disadvantage. Disclosure should provide meaningful information that enables shareholders to evaluate the impact of the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies
and practices. |
•
|
In evaluating
how to vote to social proposals, the Adviser considers among other items: (1) the company’s business activities, workplace and product safety, labor practices, diversity and equality, and supply chain, (2) how the company supports and monitors
these issues, and (3) what types of disclosure the company provides. |
•
|
In evaluating
how to vote environmental proposals, the Adviser considers among other items: (1) the company’s business activities, energy efficiency, impact on climate change, water use, toxic emissions, and operations in environmentally sensitive areas,
(2) how the company supports and monitors these issues, and (3) what types of disclosure the company provides. |
•
|
In general, the
Adviser supports management disclosure practices that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the applicable Fund. Proposals with respect to companies that have been involved in controversies, fines or litigation are expected to be subject
to heightened review and consideration. For companies that have demonstrated leadership in disclosure, the Adviser may yet elect to support a shareholder proposal if the Adviser believes that improvement in disclosures will help sustain the
leadership, unless there are material adverse consequences to such disclosure. |
•
|
The Sustainable
Proxy Guidelines provide a framework for voting on social and environmental proposals. The Adviser notes that there may be cases in which the final vote varies from the guidelines due to the fact the Adviser reviews the merits of each proposal
individually and considers relevant information in arriving at decisions. The Adviser considers among other items company-specific circumstances, whether or not the company has substantially achieved the stated objective, whether the proposal would
be unduly burdensome, whether the proposal itself is well-framed and reasonable, as well as the most up-to-date research and information that is readily accessible to the Adviser as it pertains to the proposal. |
•
|
Generally, the
Adviser votes for proposals linking executive compensation to material environmental and social factors. |
•
|
Generally, the
Adviser votes for proposals requiring reporting on environmental impacts and preparation of reports in accordance with certain external reporting standards. |
•
|
Generally, the
Adviser votes for proposals requiring the company to take specific actions to mitigate climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing and using renewable energy sources. |
•
|
Generally, the
Adviser votes for proposals requiring disclosure on the company’s land use, including its supply chain, deforestation and degradation. |
•
|
Generally,
the Adviser votes for proposals requiring disclosure of political expenditures and lobbying. |
The following summarizes some of
the more noteworthy types of proxy voting policies of the EMEA, Asia (Ex-Japan) and Japan Guidelines (collectively, “Non-U.S. Guidelines”):
•
|
Corporate
governance procedures differ among the countries. Because of time constraints and local customs, it is not always possible for the Adviser to receive and review all proxy materials in connection with each item submitted for a vote. Many proxy
statements are in foreign languages. Proxy materials are generally mailed by the issuer to the sub-custodian which holds the securities for the client in the country where the portfolio company is organized, and there may not be sufficient time for
such materials to be transmitted to the Adviser in time for a vote to be cast. In some countries, proxy statements are not mailed at all, and in some locations, the deadline for voting is two to four days after the initial announcement that a vote
is to be solicited and it may not always be possible to obtain sufficient information to make an informed decision in good time to vote. |
•
|
Certain
markets require that shares being tendered for voting purposes are temporarily immobilized from trading until after the shareholder meeting has taken place. Elsewhere, notably emerging markets, it may not always be possible to obtain sufficient
information to make an informed decision in good time to vote. Some markets require a local representative to be hired in order to attend the meeting and vote in person on our behalf, which can result in considerable cost. |
|
The Adviser
also considers the cost of voting in light of the expected benefit of the vote. In certain instances, it may sometimes be in the Fund’s best interests to intentionally refrain from voting in certain overseas markets from time to time.
|
•
|
The Non-U.S.
Guidelines reflect the applicable region’s corporate governance or stewardship codes with respect to corporate governance and proxy voting. For example, the EMEA Guidelines for UK companies are based on the revised UK Corporate Governance
Code. If a portfolio company chooses to deviate from the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Adviser takes the company’s explanation into account as appropriate, based on the Adviser’s overall assessment of the standards
of corporate governance evidenced at the company. For Continental European markets, the Adviser expects companies to comply with local Corporate Governance Codes, where they exist. In markets where a comparable standard does not exist, we use the
EMEA Guidelines as the primary basis for voting, while taking local market practice into consideration where applicable. The Japan Guidelines reflect the 2020 revisions to the Japanese Stewardship Code. Likewise, the Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines
endorse the stewardship principles promoted by different regulators and industry bodies in the region including the Singapore Stewardship Principles for Responsible Investors supported by Monetary Authority of Singapore and Singapore Exchange, the
Principles for Responsible Ownership issued by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, and the Principles of Internal Governance and Asset Stewardship issued by the Financial Services Council of Australia. |
•
|
Where proxy
issues concern corporate governance, takeover defense measures, compensation plans, capital structure changes and so forth, the Adviser pays particular attention to management’s arguments for promoting the prospective change. |
•
|
The
Non-U.S. Guidelines encourage transparency and disclosure with respect to remuneration reporting as well as processes and policies designed to align compensation with the long-term performance of portfolio companies. |
•
|
In particular,
the EMEA Guidelines indicate that the remuneration policy as it relates to senior management should ideally be presented to shareholders for approval with such votes normally occurring every third year. In addition, the EMEA Guidelines describe
information that the Adviser expects to be included in remuneration reports including disclosure on amounts paid to executives, alignment between company performance and pay out to executives, disclosure of, among other things, variable incentive
targets, levels of achievement and performance awards, information on the ratio of CEO pay to median employee pay. |
•
|
With respect to
the Japan Guidelines, the voting decision will be made taking into account matters such as recent trends in the company’s earnings and performance, with the expectation that companies will have a remuneration system comprised of a reasonable
mix of fixed and variable (based on short term and medium to long term incentives) compensation. Such Guidelines also support the introduction of clawback clauses in order to prevent excessive risk taking which can negatively impact shareholder
value and excessive pay. |
•
|
Where
shareholders are able to exercise a binding vote on remuneration policies, the Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines reflect the Adviser’s belief that such polices should stand the test of time. The Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines further encourage companies
to provide information on the ratio of CEO pay to median employee pay and to explain the reasons for changes to the ratio as it unfolds year by year. The Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines also highlight information that companies should have with regard to
gender pay gaps and indicate how this issue is being addressed. |
•
|
The Adviser is
in favor of a unitary board structure of the type found in the United Kingdom as opposed to tiered board structures. Thus, under the EMEA Guidelines, the Adviser will generally vote to encourage the gradual phasing out of tiered board structures, in
favor of unitary boards. However, since tiered boards are still very prevalent in markets outside of the United Kingdom, the Non-U.S. Guidelines do not mandate a unitary board structure and local market practice will always be taken into account.
|
•
|
The Adviser will
use its voting powers to encourage appropriate levels of board independence and diversity, taking into account local market practice. |
•
|
The
Adviser will usually vote against discharging the board from responsibility in cases of pending litigation, or if there is evidence of wrongdoing for which the board must be held accountable. |
•
|
The Adviser
will vote in favor of increases in capital which enhance a company’s long-term prospects. The Adviser will also vote in favor of the partial suspension of preemptive rights if they are for purely technical reasons (e.g., rights offers which
may not be legally offered to shareholders in certain jurisdictions). However, the Adviser will vote against increases in capital which would allow the company to adopt “poison pill” takeover defense tactics, or where the increase in
authorized capital would dilute shareholder value in the long term. |
•
|
The Adviser
will vote in favor of proposals which will enhance a company’s long-term prospects. The Adviser will vote against an increase in bank borrowing powers which would result in the company reaching an unacceptable level of financial leverage,
where such borrowing is expressly intended as part of a takeover defense, or where there is a material reduction in shareholder value. |
•
|
The Adviser will
generally vote against anti-takeover devices. |
•
|
The
Adviser considers social or environmental issues on a case-by-case basis under the Non-U.S. Guidelines, keeping in mind at all times the best economic interests of its clients. |
•
|
Where social or
environmental issues are the subject of a proxy vote, the EMEA Guidelines provide that the Adviser keeps in mind the best long-term interests of its clients in determining how to vote the proxy. Under the EMEA Guidelines, the Adviser generally
supports constructive resolutions, intended to bring about positive improvement at portfolio companies, or to enhance corporate social responsibility. The EMEA Guidelines support reporting that is material, informative and does not place the company
at a competitive disadvantage. |
•
|
The Japan
Guidelines indicate that, when deciding how to vote a proposal relating to social or environmental issues, the Adviser evaluates the proposal based on the Adviser’s judgement of what serves to enhance corporate value over the medium to long
term, keeping in mind the best economic interests of the Adviser’s clients. In general, the Adviser will vote for constructive proposals which serve to improve social and environmental initiatives at investee companies or which seek meaningful
disclosures on key issues which are relevant in terms of corporate value and are not unduly disadvantageous. |
•
|
Under
the Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines, the Adviser generally supports proposals that encourage reporting that is material, informative and does not place the company at a competitive disadvantage. The Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines indicate that disclosure
should provide meaningful information that enables shareholders to evaluate the impact of the company’s ESG policies and practices. |
In accordance with regulations
of the SEC, the Funds’, including the Behavioral Value Fund’s, proxy voting records for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are on file with the SEC and are available on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website at
www.jpmorganfunds.com and are on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The policies and procedures used
by Fuller & Thaler, the sub-adviser to the Behavioral Value Fund, to determine how to vote proxies relating to the portfolio securities of such Fund are summarized below:
Fuller & Thaler.
GENERAL
It is the general policy of
Fuller & Thaler to exercise its proxy voting authority in a manner that will maintain or enhance shareholder value of the companies in which we have invested client assets. Unless a client specifically reserves the right, in writing, to vote its
own proxies, we will vote all proxies in accordance with this policy.
VOTING POLICY
We use the following guidelines
in making voting decisions:
Approve (or follow management recommendations on) the following (unless good reason for voting otherwise):
•
|
Routine corporate
matters including: |
•
|
Selection of
directors |
•
|
Appointment
of auditors |
•
|
An increase in
authorized shares where needed for clearly defined business purposes |
•
|
Follow
management recommendations on “social” issues |
Oppose (in some cases against management recommendations on) the following (unless good reason for voting otherwise):
•
|
Indemnification of
directors and/or officers where such indemnification includes “negligence and gross negligence” in the performance of their fiduciary duties |
•
|
Super-majority
voting requirements |
•
|
Anti-takeover
proposals which restrict shareholder authority |
•
|
An increase in
authorized shares of more than 25% without a stated business purpose |
•
|
Changes in
corporate charter that do not have a clearly stated business purpose |
•
|
Provisions for
multi-tiered voting rights |
•
|
Authorizations of
“blank check” preferred stock or other capital stock without a stated business purpose |
•
|
“Shareholder
rights” provisions which tend to diminish rather than enhance shareholder power |
•
|
“Anti-greenmail”
provisions which also restrict shareholder authority |
•
|
Staggered
boards of directors |
Evaluate the following on a case-by-case basis:
•
|
Corporate
combinations and divestments |
•
|
Shareholder
proposals |
•
|
Profit
sharing and stock options plans |
VOTING PROCESS
Fuller & Thaler has hired
an independent third-party vendor, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), to assist it in fulfilling its proxy voting obligations. ISS is responsible for collecting proxy information from companies and voting proxies according
to our instructions. ISS also provides Fuller & Thaler with proxy recommendations and corporate governance ratings on each ballot. While we may consider such research in determining how to vote on a proxy issue, we vote each proxy on its own
merits. Thus, our proxy voting may or may not be consistent with the recommendations of ISS.
On a weekly basis, we:
•
|
Send a list of the
securities held in client accounts to ISS. |
•
|
Download
proxy statements. |
Each of our portfolio managers
is responsible for voting the proxies for securities held in the portfolio manager’s strategy. Proxy voting reports received from ISS are provided to the portfolio managers for review prior to voting. Where Fuller & Thaler becomes aware
that an issuer intends to file, or has filed, additional soliciting materials with the SEC after Fuller & Thaler has received ISS’s voting recommendation but before the submission deadline, Fuller & Thaler considers such additional
information in its proxy voting. Any changes to the votes made by the portfolio manager are communicated to ISS electronically.
As part of the overall vote
review process, each portfolio manager responsible for voting proxies must report any known, material conflict of interest to the Chief Compliance Officer, who will communicate the conflict of interest to the other portfolio managers.
Using information provided by our
firm, ISS votes the proxies for each individual account.
On a quarterly basis, ISS provides
us with voting summary reports for our client accounts. These reports, and copies of the Proxy Voting Policy, are available to clients upon request.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
All proxies are voted solely in
the best interests of our clients. Shareholders and employees of Fuller & Thaler will not be unduly influenced by outside sources nor be affected by any conflict of interest regarding the vote of any proxy. Where a proxy proposal raises a
material conflict between our interests and a client’s interests, Fuller & Thaler will rely on the recommendation of ISS to vote the proxy. ISS votes based on its pre-determined voting policy developed from internally conducted research on
shareholder best practices.
LIMITATIONS
The following are examples of
situations where Fuller & Thaler may abstain from voting or from review of proxies:
1.
|
Terminated
Account: Once a client account has been terminated with us in accordance with its investment advisory agreement, we will not vote any proxies received after the termination. |
2.
|
Limited Value:
If we determine that the value of a client’s economic interest or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, we may abstain from voting a proxy or alternatively, vote proxies in accordance with ISS recommendations
with minimal review of the proxies. We also will not vote proxies received for securities no longer held by the client’s account. |
3.
|
Unmanaged
Assets. If a client account contains securities that we do not actively manage, but that are maintained in the account at the client’s request (designated as “Unmanaged Assets”), we will abstain from voting on such securities
unless the client directs us in writing to take action with respect to a particular matter. |
4.
|
Securities
Lending Programs: When securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrower’s name and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. However, where we determine that a proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially
important to the client’s account, we may recall the security for purposes of voting. |
RECORDKEEPING
Fuller & Thaler will
maintain the following proxy related books and records in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate
office of Fuller & Thaler:
i.
|
Copies of proxy
policies and procedures. |
ii.
|
A copy of each
proxy statement that Fuller & Thaler receives regarding client securities. Alternatively, Fuller & Thaler may rely on ISS to make and retain a copy of a proxy statement on Fuller & Thaler’s behalf (provided that Fuller & Thaler
has obtained an undertaking from ISS to provide a copy of the proxy statement promptly upon request) or may rely on obtaining a copy of a proxy statement from the Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.
|
iii.
|
A record of
each vote cast by Fuller & Thaler on behalf of a client. Alternatively, Fuller& Thaler may rely on a third party to make and retain a record of the vote cast on Fuller & Thaler's behalf (provided that Fuller & Thaler has obtained an
undertaking from ISS to provide a copy of the record promptly upon request). |
iv.
|
A copy of any
document created by Fuller & Thaler that was material to making a decision on how to vote proxies on behalf of a client or that memorializes the basis for that decision. |
v.
|
A
copy of each written client request for information on how Fuller & Thaler voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by Fuller & Thaler to any (written or oral) client request for information on how Fuller
& Thaler voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client. |
Please see Books and Records
Policy contained in Section 13 of the Compliance Manual for further details.
RESPONSIBLE PARTIES
The Portfolio Managers are
responsible for the following:
•
|
adhering to this
policy which includes voting proxies consistently with these guidelines; |
•
|
notifying the
Chief Compliance Officer of any conflicts of interest; |
•
|
providing the
Portfolio Administrator with a copy of any document that was material to making a voting decision or that memorializes the basis for a decision, if any was created; |
•
|
recommending
any policy or procedure changes to the Director of Trading Operations and Chief Compliance Officer. |
The Director of Trading
Operations and Portfolio Administrator are responsible for adhering to the voting process and maintaining required books and records. They should also recommend any policy or procedure changes to the Portfolio Managers and Chief Compliance
Officer.
The Chief
Compliance Officer will review this policy and procedures with the Director of Trading Operations, Portfolio Administrator, and other applicable Fuller & Thaler personnel at least annually.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Trust is not required to hold
a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees except that (i) a Trust is required to hold a Shareholders’ meeting for the election of Trustees at such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by Shareholders and (ii) if, as a result of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees, less than two-thirds of the Trustees holding office have been elected by the Shareholders, that vacancy may only be filled by a vote of the Shareholders. In
addition, Trustees may be removed from office by a written consent signed by the holders of Shares representing two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of a Trust at a meeting duly called for the purpose, which meeting shall be called and held in
accordance with the bylaws of the applicable Trust. Except as set forth above, the Trustees may continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.
As used in a Trust’s
Prospectuses and in this SAI, “assets belonging to a Fund” means the consideration received by a Trust upon the issuance or sale of Shares in that Fund, together with all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds derived from the
investment thereof, including any proceeds from the sale, exchange, or liquidation of such investments, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, and any general assets of a Trust not readily identified as belonging
to a particular Fund that are allocated to that Fund by a Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may allocate such general assets in any manner it deems fair and equitable. It is anticipated that the factor that will be used by the
Board of Trustees in making allocations of general assets to particular Funds will be the relative net asset values of the respective Funds at the time of allocation. Assets belonging to a particular Fund are charged with the direct liabilities and
expenses in respect of that Fund, and with a share of the general liabilities and expenses of a Trust not readily identified as belonging to a particular Fund that are allocated to that Fund in proportion to the relative net asset values of the
respective Funds at the time of allocation. The timing of allocations of general assets and general liabilities and expenses of a Trust to particular Funds will be determined by the Board of Trustees of a Trust and will be in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Determinations by the Board of Trustees of a Trust as to the timing of the allocation of general liabilities and expenses and as to the timing and allocable portion of any general assets with respect to a
particular Fund are conclusive.
As used in this SAI and the
Prospectuses, the term “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Trust, a particular Fund or a particular class of a Fund means the following when the 1940 Act governs the required approval: the affirmative vote of the
lesser of (a) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund, or (b) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund present at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund are represented in person or by proxy. Otherwise, the declaration of trust, articles of incorporation or by-laws usually govern the needed approval and generally require
that if a quorum is present at a meeting, the vote of a majority of the shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund, as applicable, shall decide the question.
Telephone calls to the Funds,
the Funds’ service providers or a Financial Intermediary as Financial Intermediary may be recorded. With respect to the securities offered hereby, this SAI and the Prospectuses do not contain all the information included in the Registration
Statements of the Trusts filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, certain portions have been omitted. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined
at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in this
SAI and the Prospectuses concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statements of the Trusts. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.
No dealer, salesman or any
other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the Prospectuses and this SAI, in connection with the offer contained therein and, if given or made, such other information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by any of the Trusts, the Funds or JPMDS. The Prospectuses and this SAI do not constitute an offer by any Fund or by JPMDS to sell or solicit any offer to buy any of the securities
offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful for the Funds or JPMDS to make such offer in such jurisdictions.
APPENDIX A — PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND
EXCHANGES
The Funds have
established certain procedures and restrictions, subject to change from time to time, for purchase, redemption, and exchange orders, including procedures for accepting telephone instructions and effecting automatic investments and redemptions. The
Funds may defer acting on a shareholder’s instructions until it has received them in proper form and in accordance with the requirements described in the Prospectuses.
Subject to the terms of a
Fund’s prospectus, an investor may buy (or redeem) shares in certain Funds: (i) through a Financial Intermediary; or (ii) through JPMDS by calling J.P. Morgan Funds Services. Financial Intermediaries may include financial advisors, investment
advisers, brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others, including affiliates of JPMorgan Chase that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor, or, if applicable, an authorized
designee of a Financial Intermediary. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from a shareholder or, if held in a joint account, from either party, or from any person claiming to be the shareholder, and confirmation that the
account registration and address given by such person match those on record, a Fund or its agent is authorized, without notifying the shareholder or joint account parties, to carry out the instructions or to respond to the inquiries, consistent with
the service options chosen by the shareholder or joint shareholders in his or their latest account application or other written request for services, including purchasing, exchanging, or redeeming shares of such Fund and depositing and withdrawing
monies from the bank account specified in the “Bank Account Registration” section of the shareholder’s latest account application or as otherwise properly specified to such Fund in writing. Investors may incur a fee if they effect
transactions through a Financial Intermediary.
The Funds may, at their own
option, accept securities in payment for shares. The securities delivered in such a transaction are valued in the same manner as they would be valued for purposes of computing a Fund’s NAV, as described in the section entitled “Net Asset
Value.” This is a taxable transaction to the shareholder. Purchases by means of in-kind contributions of securities will only be accepted if a variety of conditions are satisfied, in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the
Board of Trustees.
Except as provided in a
Fund’s prospectus, and subject to compliance with applicable regulations, each Fund has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of its shares, either totally or partially, by a distribution in-kind of readily marketable portfolio
securities (instead of cash). The securities so distributed would be valued at the same amount as that assigned to them in calculating the NAV of the shares being sold. If a shareholder received a distribution in-kind, the shareholder could incur
brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash. JPMFMFG and UMF have filed an election under 18f-1 under the 1940 Act. The other Trusts have not filed an election under Rule 18f-1. However, the following Funds have previously filed
Rule 18f-1 elections: (i) JPMorgan California Tax Free Bond Fund (formerly, J.P. Morgan California Bond Fund), (ii) JPMorgan Tax Aware Equity Fund, (iii) JPMorgan Intermediate Tax Free Bond Fund and JPMorgan New York Tax Free Bond Fund (as former
series of Mutual Fund Select Trust), and (iv) JPMorgan International Equity Fund (as former series of Mutual Fund Select Group). These elections carry over and commit these Funds to paying redemptions by a shareholder of record in cash, limited
during any 90 day period to the lesser of: (i) $250,000 or (ii) one percent of the net asset value of the Fund at the beginning of such period.
The Money Market Funds reserve
the right to waive any investment minimum. With respect to Agency, Capital, Institutional Class and Premier Shares, examples of when, in the Money Market Funds’ discretion, exceptions to the minimum requirements may be made include, but are
not limited to, the following: (1) accounts of a parent corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries may be aggregated together to meet the minimum requirement; (2) accounts held by an institutional investor in any of the Money Market Funds in JPMT
I or JPMT II may be aggregated together to meet the minimum requirement; and (3) an institutional investor may be given a reasonable amount of time to reach the investment minimum for a class. For Agency, Institutional Class and Premier Shares,
investors must purchase the Shares directly from the J.P. Morgan Funds through JPMDS to potentially be eligible. In each case, the investors must inform the J.P. Morgan Funds (or their Financial Intermediary in the case of Capital Shares) that they
have accounts that they may be eligible for an exception to the investment minimum.
Exchange Privilege. Shareholders may exchange their shares in a Fund for shares of any other J.P. Morgan Fund as indicated in the Prospectuses that offers such share class. The shareholder will not pay a sales charge for such exchange. The
Funds reserve the right to limit the number of exchanges or to refuse an exchange. The Funds may discontinue this exchange privilege at any time.
Shares of a Fund may only be
exchanged into another Fund if the account registrations are identical. All exchanges are subject to meeting any investment minimum or eligibility requirements. With respect to exchanges from any Money Market Fund, shareholders must have acquired
their shares in such money market fund by exchange from one of the J.P. Morgan non-money market funds or the exchange will be done at relative NAV plus the appropriate sales charge. Any such exchange may create a gain or loss to be recognized for
federal income tax purposes. All exchanges are based upon the NAV that is next calculated after the Fund receives your order, provided the exchange out of one Fund must occur before the exchange into the other Fund. The redemption of your shares
will be processed at the next calculated net asset value by the Fund whose shares you are redeeming, and your purchase will be processed as of the same time if the Fund into which you wish to exchange also calculates a net asset value at such time
or if not, as of such Fund’s next calculated net asset value. The exchange might not be completed on the date on which the order is submitted and, in such case, the proceeds of the redemption may remain uninvested until the exchange is
completed. A shareholder that exchanges out of shares of a Fund that accrues a daily dividend, including a money market fund, will accrue a dividend on the day of the redemption. A shareholder that exchanges into shares of a Fund that accrues
dividends daily will not accrue a dividend on the day of the purchase. Normally, shares of the Fund to be acquired are purchased on the redemption date, but such purchase may be delayed by either Fund for up to five business days if a Fund
determines that it would be disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the proceeds.
With regard to a Money Market
Fund, when a fee or a gate is in place, shareholders will not be permitted to exchange into or out of a Money Market Fund.
Redemptions. In general, shares of a Fund may be exchanged or redeemed at net asset value, less any applicable CDSC. The Trust may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for Shares for more than seven days
(more than one day for the Prime Money Market Fund, U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, and U.S. Government Money Market Fund) when:
(a)
|
trading on the
Exchange is broadly restricted by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; |
(b)
|
the Exchange is
closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closing; |
(c)
|
the SEC has by
order permitted such suspension; or |
(d)
|
the
SEC has declared a market emergency. |
With regard to Money Market
Funds that do not qualify as Government Money Market Funds, if a Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 30% of its total assets, the Fund’s board, in its discretion, may impose liquidity fees of up to 2% of the value of the shares
redeemed and/or gates on redemptions. In addition, if a Money Market Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 10% of its total assets at the end of any business day, the Fund must impose a 1% liquidity fee on shareholder redemptions unless the
Fund’s Board of Trustees determines that not doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.
The Board may, in its
discretion, terminate a liquidity fee or redemption gate at any time if it believes such action to be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. Also, liquidity fees and redemption gates will automatically terminate at the beginning of
the next business day once a Fund’s weekly liquid assets reach at least 30% of its total assets. Redemption gates may only last up to 10 business days in any 90-day period. When a fee or a gate is in place, the Fund may elect not to permit the
purchase of shares or to subject the purchase of shares to certain conditions, which may include affirmation of the purchaser’s knowledge that a fee or a gate is in effect. When a fee or a gate is in place, shareholders will not be permitted
to exchange into or out of a Money Market Fund.
With regard to the Money Market
Funds, the Board may, in its discretion, permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if, among other things, a Fund, at the end of a business day, has less than 10% of its total assets invested in weekly liquid assets. The Board of the Retail and
Government Money Market Funds may suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that the deviation between its amortized cost price per share and its market-based NAV per share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to
investors or existing shareholders.
Excessive Trading Limits. Market timers may disrupt portfolio management and harm Fund performance. To the extent that a Fund is unable to effectively identify market timers or a Fund does not seek to identify market timers, long-term investors
may be adversely affected. The Funds do not authorize market timing and, except for the Funds identified in the Prospectuses, use reasonable efforts to identify market timers. There is no assurance, however, that the Funds will be able to identify
and eliminate all market timers. For example, certain accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Funds with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where purchasers of Fund
shares and
redeemers of Fund shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers and redeemers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Funds. For purposes of the application of the excessive trading limitations, J.P. Morgan
Funds that invest in other J.P. Morgan Funds will be considered asset allocation programs within the stated exceptions to the excessive trading limits in the Prospectuses.
Additional Information About
Class C Shares. The Distributor pays a commission of 1.00% of the offering price on sales of Class C Shares. The Distributor keeps the entire amount of any CDSC the investor pays for Class C Shares.
If an investor redeems Class C
Shares and then uses that money to buy Class C Shares of a J.P. Morgan Fund within 90 days of that redemption, the second purchase will be free of a CDSC. Also, the 12b-1 aging will include the investor’s prior months’ holdings, so that
the Financial Intermediary will receive the trail sooner.
Class C Conversion Feature. Class C Shares will be converted to Class A Shares (to Morgan Shares for the Money Market Funds) of the same fund in the following instances:
•
|
Beginning
November 14, 2017, Class C Share positions will convert to Class A Shares after 10 years, calculated from the first day of the month of purchase and processed on the tenth business day of the anniversary month. |
•
|
If the Class C
Shares are held in an account with a third party broker of record are transferred to an account with the Distributor after April 21, 2017, those Class C Shares will be converted to Class A Shares on the tenth business day of the month following the
transfer. |
•
|
Class C Shares
of the Funds (excluding the Money Market Funds) automatically convert to Class A Shares (and thus are then subject to the lower expenses borne by Class A Shares) after the period of time specified in the applicable Prospectuses has elapsed since the
date of purchase (the “CDSC Period”), together with the pro-rata portion of all Class C Shares representing dividends and other distributions paid in additional Class C Shares attributable to the Class C Shares then converting. The
conversion of Class C Shares will be effected at the relative net asset value per share of the two classes on the tenth business day of the month following the tenth anniversary of the original purchase or such other applicable yearly anniversary.
At the time of the conversion, the net asset value per share of the Class A Shares may be higher or lower than the net asset value per share of the Class C Shares; as a result, depending on the relative net asset value per share, a shareholder may
receive fewer or more Class A Shares than the number of Class C Shares converted. |
•
|
Class
C Shares of the Money Market Funds automatically convert to Morgan Shares (and thus are then subject to the lower expenses borne by Morgan Shares) after the CDSC Period, together with the pro-rata portion of all Class C Shares representing
dividends and other distributions paid in additional Class C Shares attributable to the Class C Shares then converting. The conversion of Class C Shares will be effected at the relative net asset value per share of the two classes on the tenth
business day of the month following the tenth anniversary of the original purchase or such other applicable yearly anniversary. At the time of the conversion, the net asset value per share of the Morgan Shares may be higher or lower than the net
asset value per share of the Class C Shares; as a result, depending on the relative net asset value per share, a shareholder may receive fewer or more Morgan Shares than the number of Class C Shares converted. |
Conversion of Class B Shares. On June 19, 2015, the Funds’ Class B Shares were converted into Class A Shares (into Morgan Shares for the Money Market Funds) of the same Fund, notwithstanding the prior conversion schedule that indicated a later
date. No contingent deferred sales charges were assessed in connection with this automatic conversion.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Systematic withdrawals may be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. The applicable Class C CDSC will be deducted from those payments unless such payments are made:
(i) monthly
and constitute no more than 1/12 of 10% of your then-current balance in a Fund each month; or
(ii) quarterly
and constitute no more than 1/4 of 10% of your then-current balance in a Fund each quarter.
If you withdraw more than the
limits stated above in any given systematic withdrawal payment, you will be charged a CDSC for the amount of the withdrawal over the limit for that month or quarter.
For accounts that allow
systematic withdrawals only as a fixed dollar amount per month or quarter, the applicable Class C CDSC is waived provided that, on the date of the systematic withdrawal, the fixed dollar amount to be withdrawn, when multiplied by 12 in the case of
monthly payments or by four in the case of quarterly payments, does not exceed 10% of your then-current balance in the Fund. If on any given systematic withdrawal date that amount would exceed 10%, you will be charged a CDSC on the entire amount of
that systematic withdrawal payment. This calculation is repeated on each systematic withdrawal date.
For accounts that allow
systematic withdrawals on a percentage basis, a Class C CDSC will be charged only on that amount of a systematic payment that exceeds the limits set forth above for that month or quarter.
Your current balance in a Fund for
purposes of these calculations will be determined by multiplying the number of shares held by the then-current net asset value for shares of the applicable class.
Cut-Off Times for Purchase,
Redemption and Exchange Orders. Orders to purchase, exchange or redeem shares accepted by the Funds (or by a Financial Intermediary authorized to accept such orders on behalf of the Funds) by the cut-off times
indicated in the Funds’ Prospectuses will be processed at the NAV next calculated after the order is accepted by the Fund or the Financial Intermediary. Under a variety of different types of servicing agreements, if a Financial Intermediary
that is authorized to accept purchase, exchange and/or redemption orders from investors on behalf of the Funds accepts orders prior to the cut-off time for orders stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses, the Financial Intermediary may transmit the
orders to the Funds by the deadlines stated in the servicing agreements. The deadlines in the servicing agreements are generally later than the order cut-off times stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses.
Additional Information
A Fund may require medallion
signature guarantees for changes that shareholders request be made in Fund records with respect to their accounts, including but not limited to, changes in bank accounts, for any written requests for additional account services made after a
shareholder has submitted an initial account application to a Fund, and in certain other circumstances described in the Prospectuses. A Fund may also refuse to accept or carry out any transaction that does not satisfy any restrictions then in
effect. A medallion signature guarantee may be obtained from an approved bank, broker, savings and loan association or credit union under Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act.
The Funds reserve the right to
change any of these policies at any time and may reject any request to purchase shares at a reduced sales charge.
Investors may incur a fee if
they effect transactions through a Financial Intermediary.
APPENDIX B — DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
The following is a summary of
published ratings by certain Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSROs”). Credit ratings evaluate only the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of lower quality securities. NRSROs may
fail to change credit ratings to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Although the Adviser considers security ratings when making investment decisions, it also performs its own investment analysis and does not rely solely on the ratings
assigned by NRSROs.
A
Fund only purchases securities that meet the ratings criteria, if any, described in its Prospectus and/or SAI. The Adviser will look at a security’s rating at the time of investment. If the securities are unrated, the Adviser must determine
that they are of comparable quality to rated securities. Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, a security may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by a Fund. The Adviser will consider such an
event in determining whether a Fund should continue to hold the security and is not required to sell a security in the event of a downgrade. Securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities are not rated by NRSROs and
so the rating of such securities is determined based on the ratings assigned to the issuer by the NRSRO(s) or if unrated, based on the Adviser’s determination of the issuer’s credit quality. The Adviser may also use the ratings assigned
by NRSROs to non-U.S. governments and their agencies and instrumentalities to determine the rating of those issuers’ securities.
From time to time, NRSROs may
not agree on the credit quality of a security and issuer and assign different ratings. Certain Funds use the NRSROs and methodology described in their Prospectuses to determine the credit quality of their investments, including whether a security is
in a particular rating category for purposes of the credit quality requirements specified below. For securities that are not rated by the applicable NRSROs, the Adviser must determine that they are of comparable quality to rated securities If a
Fund’s Prospectus does not specify the methodology for determining the credit quality of securities that have received different ratings from more than one NRSRO, such securities will be considered investment grade if at least one agency has
rated the security investment grade.
Certain Funds are rated by NRSROs.
In order to maintain a rating from a rating organization, the Funds may be subject to additional investment restrictions.
DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC
(“S&P”)
An S&P Global Ratings issue
credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note
programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The
opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could
affect ultimate payment in the event of default.
Issue credit ratings can be
either long-term or short-term. Short-term issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market, typically with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Short-term issue credit ratings
are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.
A-1
|
A short-term
obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with
a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong. |
A-2
|
A
short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its
financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory. |
A-3
|
A
short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the
obligation. |
B
|
A short-term
obligation rated ‘B' is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the
obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. |
C
|
A
short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. |
D
|
A
short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless
S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon
the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject
to a distressed debt restructuring. |
Dual Ratings
Dual ratings may be assigned
to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first
component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating
symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example,
‘SP-1+/A-1+’).
Active Qualifiers (Currently
applied and/or outstanding)
L: Ratings qualified with
‘L’ apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.
P: This suffix is used for
issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The
‘p’ suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.
Preliminary: Preliminary
ratings, with the “prelim” suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of
appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.
•
|
Preliminary
ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions. |
•
|
Preliminary
ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor’s emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary
ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s). |
•
|
Preliminary
ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings’ opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the
obligations of these entities. |
•
|
Preliminary
ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited.
The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming
successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings. |
•
|
A preliminary
recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating. |
t: This symbol indicates
termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.
cir: This symbol indicates a
counterparty instrument rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency
swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.
Inactive Qualifiers (No longer
applied or outstanding)
*: This symbol indicated that
the rating was contingent upon S&P Global Ratings’ receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.
c: This qualifier was used to
provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer was lowered to below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds were deemed
taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.
G: The letter ‘G’
followed the rating symbol when a fund’s portfolio consisted primarily of direct U.S. government securities.
pi: This qualifier was used to
indicate ratings that were based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. Such ratings did not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer’s management
and therefore could have been based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a ‘pi’ suffix. Discontinued use as of December 2014 and as of August 2015 for Lloyd’s Syndicate Assessments.
pr: The letters
‘pr’ indicate that the rating was provisional. A provisional rating assumed the successful completion of a project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements was largely or entirely dependent
upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, made no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion.
q: A ‘q’ subscript
indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.
r: The ‘r’ modifier
was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an ‘r’ modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation would not exhibit
extraordinary noncredit-related risks. S&P Global Ratings discontinued the use of the ‘r’ modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.
Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)
A short-term issuer or
obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term
deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate,
sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.
F1
|
HIGHEST SHORT-TERM
CREDIT QUALITY. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. |
F2
|
GOOD
SHORT-TERM CREDIT QUALITY. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. |
F3
|
FAIR
SHORT-TERM CREDIT QUALITY. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate. |
B
|
SPECULATIVE
SHORT-TERM CREDIT QUALITY. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. |
C
|
HIGH
SHORT-TERM DEFAULT RISK. Default is a real possibility. |
RD
|
RESTRICTED
DEFAULT. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only. |
D
|
DEFAULT.
Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation. |
Limitations of the Credit Ratings Scale
Specific limitations relevant
to the Credit Ratings scale include:
•
|
The ratings do not
predict a specific percentage of default likelihood or failure likelihood over any given time period. |
•
|
The ratings do not
opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change. |
•
|
The ratings do not
opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock. |
•
|
The
ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer (or an obligation with respect to structured finance transactions) default, except in the following two cases: |
•
|
Ratings assigned
to individual obligations of issuers in corporate finance, banks, non-bank financial institutions, insurance and covered bonds. |
•
|
In
limited circumstances for U.S. public finance obligations where Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code provides reliably superior prospects for ultimate recovery to local government obligations that benefit from a statutory lien on revenues or during the
pendency of a bankruptcy proceeding under the Code if there is sufficient visibility on potential recovery prospects. |
•
|
The ratings do not
opine on the suitability of an issuer as a counterparty to trade credit. |
The ratings do not opine on any
quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency‘s opinion on its relative vulnerability to default or in the case of bank Viability Ratings on its relative vulnerability to failure. For the
avoidance of doubt, not all defaults will be considered a default for rating purposes. Typically, a default relates to a liability payable to an unaffiliated, outside investor.
The ratings do not opine on any
quality related to a transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of an issuer and/or of each rated tranche or security.
The ratings do not predict a
specific percentage of extraordinary support likelihood over any given period.
In the case of bank Support
Ratings and Support Rating Floors, the ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency’s opinion on its relative likelihood of receiving external extraordinary
support.
The ratings do not
opine on the suitability of any security for investment or any other purposes.
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
(“Moody’s”)
Moody’s global
short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles and public sector entities.
Moody’s defines credit risk as the risk that an entity may not meet its contractual financial obligations as they come due and any estimated financial loss in the event of default or impairment. The contractual financial obligations addressed
by Moody’s ratings are those that call for, without regard to enforceability, the payment of an ascertainable amount, which may vary based upon standard sources of variation (e.g., floating interest rates), by an ascertainable date.
Moody’s rating addresses the issuer’s ability to obtain cash sufficient to service the obligation, and its willingness to pay. Moody’s ratings do not address non- standard sources of variation in the amount of the
principal
obligation (e.g., equity indexed), absent an express statement to the contrary in a press release accompanying an initial rating. Short-term ratings are assigned for obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both
on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.
Moody’s employs the
following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
P-1
|
Ratings of Prime-1
reflect a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. |
P-2
|
Ratings
of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. |
P-3
|
Ratings
of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations. |
NP
|
Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. |
DBRS Morningstar
The DBRS Morningstar
short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer and the
relative ranking of claims. The R-1 and R-2 rating categories are further denoted by the subcategories “(high),” “(middle),” and “(low).”
R-1
(high) |
Highest credit
quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events. |
R-1
(middle) |
Superior
credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high. Differs from R-1 (high) by a relatively modest degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events. |
R-1
(low) |
Good
credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors
are considered manageable. |
R-2
(high) |
Upper
end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. |
R-2
(middle) |
Adequate
credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality. |
R-2
(low) |
Lower
end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to
meet such obligations. |
R-3
|
Lowest
end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of
developments. |
R-4
|
Speculative
credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain. |
R-5
|
Highly
speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due. |
D
|
When
the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to D may occur. DBRS Morningstar may also use SD (Selective
Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange.” |
DESCRIPTION OF LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
S&P
Long-Term Issue Credit
Ratings
Issue credit
ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings’ analysis of the following considerations:
•
|
The likelihood of
payment — the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; |
•
|
The nature and
provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise we impute; and |
•
|
The
protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
An issue rating is an
assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted
above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)
AAA
|
An obligation
rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong. |
AA
|
An
obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong. |
A
|
An
obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial
commitments on the obligation is still strong. |
BBB
|
An
obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
|
BB,B,CCC,CC
and C |
Obligations
rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the
highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions. |
BB
|
An obligation
rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate
capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. |
B
|
An
obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. |
CCC
|
An
obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. |
CC
|
An
obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the
anticipated time to default. |
C
|
An
obligation rated ‘C; is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher. |
D
|
An obligation
rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings
believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a
bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed
debt restructuring. |
Plus(+) or Minus (-): The
ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.
Fitch
Rated entities in a number of sectors,
including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns, insurance companies, and certain sectors within public finance, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs are also assigned to certain entities or enterprises in global
infrastructure, project finance and public finance. IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default (including by way of a distressed debt exchange) on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is
generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts.
In aggregate, IDRs provide an
ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default.
AAA
|
HIGHEST CREDIT
QUALITY. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by
foreseeable events. |
AA
|
VERY
HIGH CREDIT QUALITY. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. |
A
|
HIGH
CREDIT QUALITY. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions
than is the case for higher ratings. |
BBB
|
GOOD
CREDIT QUALITY. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair
this capacity. |
BB
|
SPECULATIVE.
‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of
financial commitments. |
B
|
HIGHLY
SPECULATIVE. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in
the business and economic environment. |
CCC
|
SUBSTANTIAL
CREDIT RISK. Default is a real possibility. |
CC
|
VERY
HIGH LEVELS OF CREDIT RISK. Default of some kind appears probable. |
C
|
NEAR
DEFAULT. A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer
include: |
|
• the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; • the issuer has entered into a
temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; • the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a
distressed debt exchange; • a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the
life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent. |
RD
|
RESTRICTED
DEFAULT. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced: |
|
•
an uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but • has not entered into
bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and • has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include: • the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; • the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or
default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; • the extension of multiple waivers or
forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations. |
D
|
DEFAULT.
‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.
|
Default ratings are not
assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or
grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.
In all cases, the assignment of
a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial
obligations or local commercial practice.
Limitations of the Credit Rating Scale:
Specific limitations relevant to
the credit rating scale are listed under Description of Short-Term Credit Ratings section.
Moody’s
Long-Term Obligation
Ratings
Moody’s
long-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles and public sector entities.
Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the
event of default or impairment.
Aaa
|
Obligations rated
Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk. |
Aa
|
Obligations
rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. |
A
|
Obligations
rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk. |
Baa
|
Obligations
rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics. |
Ba
|
Obligations rated
Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk. |
B
|
Obligations
rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. |
Caa
|
Obligations
rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. |
Ca
|
Obligations
rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. |
C
|
Obligations
rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. |
Moody’s appends
numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the
modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*
*By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the
omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in
impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.
DBRS Morningstar
Long-Term Obligations
The DBRS Morningstar long-term
rating scale provides an opinion on the risk of default. That is, the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy its financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which an obligations has been issued. Ratings are based on quantitative and
qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer, and the relative ranking of claims. All rating categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories “(high)” and “(low).” The absence of either a “(high)”
or “(low)” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category.
AAA
|
Highest credit
quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events. |
AA
|
Superior
credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high. Credit quality differs from AAA only to a small degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events. |
A
|
Good
credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than AA. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable. |
BBB
|
Adequate
credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. |
BB
|
Speculative,
non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events. |
B
|
Highly
speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations. |
CCC/CC/C
|
Very
highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations. There is little difference between these three categories, although CC and C ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default,
or subordinated to obligations rated in the CCC to B range. Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the C category. |
D
|
When
the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to D may occur. DBRS Morningstar may also use SD (Selective
Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange.” |
DESCRIPTION OF INSURANCE RATINGS
S&P
Insurer Financial Strength
Rating Definitions
An
S&P Global Ratings insurer financial strength rating is a forward-looking opinion about the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in
accordance with their terms. Insurer financial strength ratings are also assigned to health maintenance organizations and similar health plans with respect to their ability to pay under their policies and contracts in accordance with their
terms.
This opinion is
not specific to any particular policy or contract, nor does it address the suitability of a particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser. Furthermore, the opinion does not take into account deductibles, surrender or cancellation
penalties, timeliness of payment, nor the likelihood of the use of a defense such as fraud to deny claims.
Insurer financial strength
ratings do not refer to an organization’s ability to meet nonpolicy (i.e. debt) obligations. Assignment of ratings to debt issued by insurers or to debt issues that are fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts, or
guarantees is a separate process from the determination of insurer financial strength ratings, and it follows procedures consistent with those used to assign an issue credit rating. An insurer financial strength rating is not a recommendation to
purchase or discontinue any policy or contract issued by an insurer.
Insurer Financial Strength
Ratings
AAA
|
An insurer rated
‘AAA’ has extremely strong financial security characteristics. ‘AAA’ is the highest insurer financial strength rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. |
AA
|
An
insurer rated ‘AA’ has very strong financial security characteristics, differing only slightly from those rated higher. |
A
|
An
insurer rated ‘A’ has strong financial security characteristics, but is somewhat more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are insurers with higher ratings. |
BBB
|
An
insurer rated ‘BBB’ has good financial security characteristics, but is more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are higher-rated insurers. |
BB,
B, CCC, and CC |
An
insurer rated ‘BB’ or lower is regarded as having vulnerable characteristics that may outweigh its strengths, ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of vulnerability within the range and ‘CC’ the highest.
|
BB
|
An insurer rated
‘BB’ has marginal financial security characteristics. Positive attributes exist, but adverse business conditions could lead to insufficient ability to meet financial commitments. |
B
|
An
insurer rated ‘B’ has weak financial security characteristics. Adverse business conditions will likely impair its ability to meet financial commitments. |
CCC
|
An
insurer rated ‘CCC’ has very weak financial security characteristics, and is dependent on favorable business conditions to meet financial commitments. |
CC
|
An
insurer rated ‘CC’ has extremely weak financial security characteristics and is likely not to meet some of its financial commitments. |
SD
and D |
An
insurer rated ‘SD’ (selective default) or ‘D’ is in default on one or more of its insurance policy obligations. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of
similar action if payments on a policy obligation are at risk. A ‘D’ rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay substantially all of its
obligations in full in accordance with the policy terms. An ‘SD’ rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the insurer has selectively defaulted on a specific class of policies but it will continue to meet its
payment obligations on other classes of obligations. An ‘SD’ includes the completion of a distressed debt restructuring. Claim denials due to lack of coverage or other legally permitted defenses are not considered defaults.
|
Ratings from ‘AA’ to
‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.
Fitch
Insurer Financial Strength
Ratings
The Insurer
Financial Strength (IFS) Rating provides an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization. The IFS Rating is assigned to the insurance company’s policyholder obligations, including assumed reinsurance obligations and
contract holder obligations, such as guaranteed investment contracts. The IFS Rating reflects both the ability of the insurer to meet these obligations on a timely basis, and expected recoveries received by claimants in the event the insurer stops
making payments or payments are interrupted, due to either the failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention. In the context of the IFS Rating, the timeliness of payments is considered relative to both contract and/or policy terms
but also recognizes the possibility of reasonable delays caused by circumstances common to the insurance industry, including claims reviews, fraud investigations and coverage disputes.
The IFS Rating does not
encompass policyholder obligations residing in separate accounts, unit-linked products or segregated funds, for which the policyholder bears investment or other risks. However, any guarantees provided to the policyholder with respect to such
obligations are included in the IFS Rating.
Expected recoveries are based
on the agency’s assessments of the sufficiency of an insurance company’s assets to fund policyholder obligations, in a scenario in which payments have ceased or been interrupted. Accordingly, expected recoveries exclude the impact of
recoveries obtained from any government sponsored guaranty or policyholder protection funds. Expected recoveries also exclude the impact of collateralization or security, such as letters of credit or trusteed assets, supporting select reinsurance
obligations.
IFS Ratings
can be assigned to insurance and reinsurance companies in any insurance sector, including the life & annuity, non-life, property/casualty, health, mortgage, financial guaranty, residual value and title insurance sectors, as well as to managed
care companies such as health maintenance organizations.
The IFS Rating uses the same
symbols used by the agency for its International and National credit ratings of long-term or short-term debt issues. However, the definitions associated with the ratings reflect the unique aspects of the IFS Rating within an insurance industry
context.
Obligations for
which a payment interruption has occurred due to either the insolvency or failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention will generally be rated between ‘B’ and ‘C’ on the Long-Term IFS Rating scales (both
International and National). International Short-Term IFS Ratings assigned under the same circumstances will align with the insurer’s International Long-Term IFS Rating.
Long-Term International IFS
Ratings
The following rating
scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. Ratings of ‘BBB-’ and higher are considered to be “secure,” and those of ‘BB+’ and lower are considered to be “vulnerable.”
AAA
|
EXCEPTIONALLY
STRONG. ‘AAA’ IFS Ratings denote the lowest expectation of ceased or interrupted payments. They are assigned only in the case of exceptionally strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. This capacity is highly
unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. |
AA
|
VERY
STRONG. ‘AA’ IFS Ratings denote a very low expectation of ceased or interrupted payments. They indicate very strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
events. |
A
|
STRONG.
‘A’ IFS Ratings denote a low expectation of ceased or interrupted payments. They indicate strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. This capacity may, nonetheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or
in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. |
BBB
|
GOOD.
‘BBB’ IFS Ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of ceased or interrupted payments. The capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations on a timely basis is considered adequate, but adverse changes in
circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impact this capacity. |
BB
|
MODERATELY WEAK.
‘BB’ IFS Ratings indicate that there is an elevated vulnerability to ceased or interrupted payments, particularly as the result of adverse economic or market changes over time. However, business or financial alternatives may be available
to allow for policyholder and contract obligations to be met in a timely manner. |
B
|
WEAK.
‘B’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If obligations are still being met on a timely basis, there is significant risk that ceased or interrupted payments could occur in the future, but a limited margin of safety remains.
Capacity for continued timely payments is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment, and favorable market conditions. Alternatively, a ‘B’ IFS Rating is assigned to obligations that have experienced ceased
or interrupted payments, but with the potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a recovery assessment of ‘RR1’ (Outstanding). |
CCC
|
VERY
WEAK. ‘CCC’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If obligations are still being met on a timely basis, there is a real possibility that ceased or interrupted payments could occur in the future. Capacity for continued timely
payments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment, and favorable market conditions. Alternatively, a ‘CCC’ IFS Rating is assigned to obligations that have experienced ceased or interrupted payments,
and with the potential for average to superior recoveries. Such obligations would possess a recovery assessment of ‘RR2’ (Superior), ‘RR3’ (Good), and ‘RR4’ (Average). |
CC
|
EXTREMELY
WEAK. ‘CC’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If obligations are still being met on a timely basis, it is probable that ceased or interrupted payments will occur in the future. Alternatively, a ‘CC’ IFS Rating is
assigned to obligations that have experienced ceased or interrupted payments, with the potential for average to below-average recoveries. Such obligations would possess a recovery assessment of ‘RR4’ (Average) or ‘RR5’ (Below
Average). |
C
|
DISTRESSED.
‘C’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If obligations are still being met on a timely basis, ceased or interrupted payments are imminent. Alternatively, a ‘C’ IFS Rating is assigned to obligations that have
experienced ceased or interrupted payments, and with the potential for below average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a recovery assessment of ‘RR5’ (Below Average) or ‘RR6’ (Poor). |
Short-Term IFS Ratings
A Short-Term Insurer Financial
Strength Rating (ST-IFS Rating) provides an assessment of the near-term financial health of an insurance organization and its capacity to meet senior obligations to policyholders and contract holders that would be expected to be due within one year.
The analysis supporting the ST-IFS Rating encompasses all of the factors considered within the context of the IFS Rating, but with greater weight given to an insurer’s near-term liquidity, financial flexibility and regulatory solvency
characteristics, and less weight given to longer-term issues such as competitiveness and earnings trends.
The agency will only assign a
ST-IFS Rating to insurers that also have been assigned an IFS Rating. Currently, ST-IFS Ratings are used primarily by U.S. life insurance companies that sell short-term funding agreements.
The ST-IFS Rating uses the same
international ratings scale used by the agency for short-term debt and issuer ratings.
F1
|
Insurers are
viewed as having a strong capacity to meet their near-term obligations. When an insurer rated in this rating category is designated with a (+) sign, it is viewed as having a very strong capacity to meet near-term obligations. |
F2
|
Insurers
are viewed as having a good capacity to meet their near-term obligations. |
F3
|
Insurers
are viewed as having an adequate capacity to meet their near-term obligations. |
B
|
Insurers
are viewed as having a weak capacity to meet their near-term obligations. |
C
|
Insurers
are viewed as having a very weak capacity to meet their near-term obligations. |
Recovery Ratings
Recovery Ratings are assigned to
selected individual securities and obligations, most frequently for individual obligations of corporate finance issuers with IDRs in speculative grade categories.
Among the factors that affect
recovery rates for securities are the collateral, the seniority relative to other obligations in the capital structure (where appropriate), and the expected value of the company or underlying collateral in distress.
The Recovery Rating scale is
based on the expected relative recovery characteristics of an obligation upon the curing of a default, emergence from insolvency or following the liquidation or termination of the obligor or its associated collateral.
Recovery Ratings are an
ordinal scale and do not attempt to precisely predict a given level of recovery. As a guideline in developing the rating assessments, the agency employs broad theoretical recovery bands in its ratings approach based on historical averages and
analytical judgement, but actual recoveries for a given security may deviate materially from historical averages.
RR1
|
OUTSTANDING
RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR1’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 91%–100% of current principal and related interest. |
RR2
|
SUPERIOR
RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR2’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 71%–90% of current principal and related interest. |
RR3
|
GOOD
RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR3’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 51%–70% of current principal and related interest. |
RR4
|
AVERAGE
RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR4’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 31%–50% of current principal and related interest. |
RR5
|
BELOW
AVERAGE RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR5’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 11%– 30% of current principal and related interest. |
RR6
|
POOR
RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR6’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 0%–10% of current principal and related interest. |
Limitations of the Recovery Ratings Scale
Specific limitations relevant
to the Recovery Ratings scale include:
•
|
The ratings do not
predict a specific percentage of recovery should a default occur. |
•
|
The ratings do not
opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change. |
•
|
The ratings do not
opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock. |
•
|
The ratings do not
opine on any quality related to an issuer or transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative loss severity of the rated obligation should the obligation default. |
•
|
Recovery
Ratings, in particular, reflect a fundamental analysis of the underlying relationship between financial claims on an entity or transaction and potential sources to meet those claims. The size of such sources and claims is subject to a wide variety
of dynamic factors outside the agency’s analysis that will influence actual recovery rates. |
•
|
Out-of-court
settlements are not contemplated by Fitch’s Recovery Ratings, other than in broad concession payments for some classes of junior-ranking bonds in some specific scenarios. In reality, out-of-court settlements will be influenced heavily by
creditor composition and local political and economic imperatives, and Fitch does not attempt to factor these into its Recovery Ratings. |
•
|
Creditor
composition is outside the scope of Recovery Ratings. Concentration of creditors at a certain level of the capital structure, common ownership of claims at different levels in a capital structure or even differing entry prices of investors within a
creditor class can have a profound effect on actual recovery rates. |
•
|
Information flows
for companies close to default can become erratic, which may reduce Fitch’s visibility on its Recovery Ratings. |
•
|
Enterprise
valuations play a key role in the allocation of recoveries across credit classes. Recovery Ratings assume cash-flow multiples or advance rates, which are driven by subjective forecasts of Fitch analysts of post-restructuring cash flow, achievable
exit multiples and appropriate advance rates. All these parameters are subject to volatility before and during the restructuring process. |
•
|
Recovery
rates are strongly influenced by legal decisions. Potential legal decisions are not factored into Fitch’s Recovery Ratings. |
Moody’s
Insurance Financial Strength
Ratings
Moody’s
Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the ability of insurance companies to pay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations and also reflect the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Aaa
|
Insurance
companies rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk. |
Aa
|
Insurance
companies rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. |
A
|
Insurance
companies rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk. |
Baa
|
Insurance
companies rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics. |
Ba
|
Insurance
companies rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk. |
B
|
Insurance
companies rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. |
Caa
|
Insurance
companies rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. |
Ca
|
Insurance
companies rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. |
C
|
Insurance
companies rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. |
Note: Moody’s appends
numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the
modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*
*By their terms, hybrid
securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of
principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.
Short-Term Insurance Financial
Strength Ratings
P-1
|
Ratings of Prime-1
reflect a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. |
P-2
|
Ratings
of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. |
P-3
|
Ratings
of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations. |
P-4
|
Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. |
DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL BOND
RATINGS
S&P
Municipal Short-Term Note
Ratings
An S&P
Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an
original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:
•
|
Amortization
schedule — the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and |
•
|
Source
of payment — the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
Note rating symbols are as
follows:
SP-1
|
Strong capacity to
pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation. |
SP-2
|
Satisfactory
capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. |
SP-3
|
Speculative
capacity to pay principal and interest. |
D
|
‘D’
is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example, due to
automatic stay provisions. |
Moody’s
Short-Term Obligation
Ratings
The Municipal
Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate US municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, the MIG scale is used for bond
anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.
MIG
1 |
This designation
denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing. |
MIG
2 |
This
designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group. |
MIG
3 |
This
designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established. |
SG
|
This
designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection. |
Demand Obligation Ratings
In the case of variable rate
demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The components are a long-term rating and a short-term demand obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest
payments. The short-term demand obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to make payments associated with the purchase-price-upon-demand feature (“demand feature”) of the VRDO. The short-term demand
obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. VMIG ratings with liquidity support use as an input the short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment of the support provider, or the long-term rating of the underlying obligor in
the absence of
third party liquidity support. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s
long-term rating drops below investment grade.
VMIG
1 |
This designation
denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand. |
VMIG
2 |
This
designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand. |
VMIG
3 |
This
designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon
demand. |
SG
|
This
designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections
necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand. |
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
DBRS Morningstar
Preferred Share Rating
Scale
The DBRS
Morningstar preferred share rating scale reflects an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not fulfil its obligations with respect to both dividend and principal commitments in respect of preferred shares issued in the Canadian securities market
in accordance with the terms under which the relevant preferred shares have been issued. Every DBRS Morningstar rating using the preferred share rating scale is based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuing entity.
Each rating category may be denoted by the subcategories “high” and “low”. The absence of either a “high” or “low” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category.
Preferred shares issued in the
Canadian securities markets are rated using the preferred share rating scale and preferred shares issued outside of the Canadian securities markets are rated using the long-term obligations scale. Because preferred share dividends are only payable
when approved, the non-payment of a preferred share dividend does not necessarily result in a “D”. DBRS Morningstar may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are affected, such as in the case
of a “distressed exchange”.
Pfd-1
|
Preferred shares
rated Pfd-1 are generally of superior credit quality, and are supported by entities with strong earnings and balance sheet characteristics. Pfd-1 ratings generally correspond with issuers with a AAA or AA category reference point1. |
Pfd-2
|
Preferred
shares rated Pfd-2 are generally of good credit quality. Protection of dividends and principal is still substantial, but earnings, the balance sheet and coverage ratios are not as strong as Pfd-1 rated companies. Generally, Pfd-2 ratings correspond
with issuers with an A category or higher reference point. |
Pfd-3
|
Preferred
shares rated Pfd-3 are generally of adequate credit quality. While protection of dividends and principal is still considered acceptable, the issuing entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, and there may
be other adverse conditions present which detract from debt protection. Pfd-3 ratings generally correspond with issuers with a BBB category or higher reference point. |
Pfd-4
|
Preferred
shares rated Pfd-4 are generally speculative, where the degree of protection afforded to dividends and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic adversity. Issuers with preferred shares rated Pfd-4 generally correspond with
issuers with a BB category or higher reference point. |
Pfd-5
|
Preferred
shares rated Pfd-5 are generally highly speculative and the ability of the entity to maintain timely dividend and principal payments in the future is highly uncertain. Entities with a Pfd-5 rating generally correspond with issuers with a B category
or higher reference point. Preferred shares rated Pfd-5 often have characteristics that, if not remedied, may lead to default. |
D
|
When the issuer
has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up or the issuer is in default per the legal documents, a downgrade to D may occur. Because preferred share dividends are only payable when approved, the non-payment of a preferred
share dividend does not necessarily result in a D. DBRS Morningstar may also use SD (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”. See the Default Definition document
posted on the website for more information. |
1
|
The reference
point is a credit rating or intrinsic assessment on the relevant issuer expressed using the long-term obligations scale. For instance, it could be the issuer rating (for a corporate issuer), the intrinsic assessment (for a bank or a non-bank finance
company), or the financial strength rating (for an insurance company). |