EX-99.77M MERGERS 10 ReorgEPEmerging.txt EP EMERGING MARKETS SMALL COMPANY MERGER AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (this Agreement) is made as of this 20th day of November, 2015, by and among Investment Managers Series Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), on behalf of the EP Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund, a separate series thereof (the Emerging Markets Fund); the Trust, on behalf of the EP China Fund, a separate series thereof (the China Fund); the Trust, on behalf of the EP Latin America Fund, a separate series thereof (the Latin America Fund, and together with the China Fund, the Target Funds); and, solely for purposes of Section 4.4, Euro Pacific Asset Management, LLC (EPAM). The Emerging Markets Fund, the China Fund and the Latin America Fund may be referred to herein individually as a Fund and collectively as the Funds. WHEREAS, the parties wish to effect a reorganization (the Reorganization) which will consist of the transfer of all of the assets of each Target Fund to the Emerging Markets Fund in exchange for the assumption by the Emerging Markets Fund of all of the liabilities of such Target Fund and the issuance by the Emerging Markets Fund to each Target Fund of the number of Shares of the Emerging Markets Fund (the Shares) determined for that Target Fund in accordance with Section 1.1, and the distribution of those Shares by such Target Fund to its shareholders in complete liquidation and dissolution of such Target Fund, all as more fully set forth in this Agreement. WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), has determined that the Reorganization is in the best interests of the shareholders of the China Fund, the Latin America Fund and the Emerging Markets Fund, respectively, and that their interests would not be diluted as a result of the transactions contemplated thereby. WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to constitute a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Reorganization. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows: Article 1 Transfer of Assets and Liabilities 1.1 Transfer of Assets and Liabilities. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, on the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) each Target Fund shall transfer all of its assets to the Emerging Markets Fund. In exchange therefor, the Emerging Markets Fund shall assume all of the liabilities of such Target Fund and deliver to such Target Fund a number of Shares of each class corresponding to an outstanding class of shares of such Target Fund which is equal to (i) the aggregate net asset value attributable to that class of shares of such Target Fund at the close of business on the business day preceding the Closing Date, divided by (ii) the net asset value per share of such class of Shares outstanding at the close of business on the business day preceding the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, Class A Shares correspond to Class A shares of each Target Fund, and Class I Shares correspond to Class I shares of the Latin America Fund. 1.2 Liquidation of the China Fund and the Latin America Fund. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, on the Closing Date each Target Fund shall liquidate and distribute pro rata to each of its shareholders of record in proportion to the respective numbers of shares of each class of that Target Fund held by such shareholders, determined as of the close of business on the business day preceding the Closing Date, the Shares of the corresponding class received by such Target Fund pursuant to Section 1.1. 1.3 No Issuance of Share Certificates. Each Target Fund shall accomplish the liquidation and distribution provided for herein by opening accounts on the books of the Emerging Markets Fund in the names of its shareholders and transferring to its shareholders the Shares credited to the account of such Target Fund on the books of the Emerging Markets Fund. No certificates evidencing Shares shall be issued. 1.4 Time and Date of Valuation. The number of Shares to be issued by the Emerging Markets Fund to each Target Fund shall be computed as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the business day preceding the Closing Date in accordance with the regular practices of the China Fund, the Latin America Fund, the Emerging Markets Fund and the Trust. 1.5 Closing Time and Place. The Closing Date shall be November 20, 2015, or such later date as the parties may mutually agree. All acts taking place on the Closing Date shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of the commencement of business on the Closing Date, unless otherwise provided. The closing of the Reorganization (the Closing) shall be held at 5:00 PM (Eastern time) at the offices of IMST, 2220 E. Route 66, Ste. 226, Glendora, CA 91740, or such other time and/or place as the parties may mutually agree. 1.6 Delay of Valuation. If on the business day preceding the Closing Date (a) the primary trading market for portfolio securities of any Fund is closed to trading or trading thereon is restricted, or (b) trading or the reporting of trading is disrupted so that an accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of any Fund and an accurate calculation of the number of shares held by such Funds shareholders is impracticable, the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored. 1.7 Termination of the China Fund and the Latin America Fund. As promptly as practicable after the Closing, each Target Fund shall dissolve. Article 2 Conditions Precedent to the Effectiveness of the Reorganization The respective obligation of each party to effect the reorganization contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions: 2.1 Shareholder Approval. On or prior to the Closing Date, the shareholders of each Target Fund shall have approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Delaware law and the 1940 Act. In the event the shareholders of only one Target Fund approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such Target Fund and the Emerging Markets Fund may but are not required to consummate the Reorganization with respect only to such Target Fund. 2.2 No Injunctions or Restraints. On the Closing Date, no action, suit or other proceeding shall be pending before any court or government agency which seeks to restrain or prohibit or obtain damages or other relief in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. 2.3 Consents. All consents of the other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of Federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by the Trust to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated herein shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of any party or the Trust. 2.4 Effective Registration Statements. The Form N-1A Registration Statement of the Trust with respect to the Shares shall continue to be effective and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated. 2.5 Tax Opinion. The parties shall have received an opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions, certifications and representations, for federal income tax purposes, with respect to each Transaction (as hereinafter defined): a) The transfer of substantially all of the applicable Target Funds assets to the Emerging Markets Fund in exchange solely for Shares and the assumption of such Target Funds liabilities, and the distribution of Shares to the shareholders of such Target Fund in complete liquidation of such Target Fund, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and such Target Fund and the Emerging Markets Fund will each be a party to a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code with respect to such transfer, assumption and distribution (in each case, a Transaction); b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Emerging Markets Fund upon its receipt of the assets of the applicable Target Fund solely in exchange for Shares and the assumption of all the liabilities of such Target Fund; c) The tax basis in the hands of the Emerging Markets Fund of each asset of the applicable Target Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such asset in the hands of such Target Fund immediately prior to the transfer thereof, increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by such Target Fund on the transfer; d) The holding period of each asset of the applicable Target Fund in the hands of the Emerging Markets Fund, other than assets with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized in the Transaction, will include the period during which such asset was held by such Target Fund (except where investment activities of the Emerging Markets Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an asset); e) No gain or loss will be recognized by the applicable Target Fund on the transfer of all of its assets to the Emerging Markets Fund solely in exchange for the Shares and the assumption by the Emerging Markets Fund of all of the liabilities of such Target Fund, or upon the distribution of the Shares to the shareholders of such Target Fund, except for (i) any gain or loss that may be recognized with respect to contracts subject to Section 1256 of the Code, (ii) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a passive foreign investment company as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code, and (iii) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized (A) as a result of the closing of such Target Funds taxable year, or (B) upon the transfer of an asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a non- recognition transaction under the Code; f) No gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of the applicable Target Fund upon the exchange of their shares of such Target Fund for Shares as part of the Transaction; g) The aggregate tax basis of the Shares that each shareholder of the applicable Target Fund receives in the Transaction will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares of such Target Fund exchanged therefor; h) The holding period of each shareholder of the applicable Target Fund for the Shares received in the Transaction will include the period for which such shareholder held the shares of such Target Fund exchanged therefor, provided that such Target Fund shareholder held such Target Fund shares as capital assets on the date of exchange. 2.6 Covenants, Representations and Warranties. Each party shall have performed all of its covenants set forth in Article 4, and its representations and warranties set forth in Article 3 shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date as if made on such date, and the President of the Trust shall have executed a certificate to such effect. 2.7 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Each Target Fund shall have delivered to the Trust on the Closing Date a statement of its assets and liabilities, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, together with a certificate of its Treasurer as to its portfolio securities and the federal income tax basis and holding period as of the Closing Date. Article 3 Representations and Warranties The parties represent and warrant as follows: 3.1 Structure and Standing. Each Fund represents and warrants that it is duly organized as a series of a statutory trust, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has the power to own all of its properties and assets and conduct its business. 3.2 Power. Each Fund represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action of the Board of Trustees of the Trust; this Agreement does not violate, and its performance will not result in violation of, any provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, or any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which it is a party or by which it is bound; and this Agreement constitutes its valid and binding contract enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and court decisions with respect thereto. 3.3 Litigation. Each party represents and warrants that no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is currently pending against it and, to the best of its knowledge, none is threatened against it or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business; it knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings; and it is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated. 3.4 Fund Assets. Each Target Fund represents and warrants that on the Closing Date the assets received by the Emerging Markets Fund from such Target Fund will be delivered to the Emerging Markets Fund as provided in Section 1.1 free and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, charges or other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever created by such Target Fund and without any restriction upon the transfer thereof, except for such liabilities assumed as provided in Section 1.1. 3.5 The Shares. The Emerging Markets Fund represents and warrants that on the Closing Date (a) the Shares to be delivered to each Target Fund as contemplated in this Agreement will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; (b) no shareholder of the Emerging Markets Fund or any other series of the Trust has any preemptive right to subscription or purchase in respect thereof; (c) each Target Fund will acquire the Shares free and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, charges or other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever created by the Trust and without any restriction on the transfer thereof; and (d) the Shares will be duly qualified for offering to the public in all of the states of the United States in which such qualification is required or an exemption from such requirement shall have been obtained. 3.6 Tax Status and Filings. Each Fund represents and warrants that it is treated as a corporation separate from the other series of the Trust under Section 851(g) of the Code; that it has satisfied the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for treatment as a regulated investment company for each taxable year since its formation and has elected to be treated as such; that it has filed or furnished all federal, state, and other tax returns and reports required by law to have been filed or furnished, and it has paid or made provision for payment of, so far as due, all federal, state and other taxes, interest and penalties; that no such return is currently being audited; and that no assessment has been asserted with respect to any such returns or reports. 3.7 Accuracy of Information. Each party represents and warrants that all information furnished by it to the other parties for use in any documents which may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be accurate and complete and will comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations applicable thereto. 3.8 Acquisition of the Shares. Each Target Fund represents and warrants that the Shares it acquires pursuant to this Agreement are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof, except in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. 3.9 Financial Statements. Each Fund represents and warrants that its Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of November 20, 2015, provided to other parties has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and fairly reflects the financial condition of such Fund as of such date, and there are no known contingent liabilities of such Fund as of such date not disclosed therein. 3.10 No Adverse Changes. Each party represents and warrants that since November 20, 2015, there has been no material adverse change in its financial condition, assets, liabilities or business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the other parties (for the purposes of this paragraph, a decline in net asset value per share of a Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change). 3.11 Proxy Statement. Each party represents and warrants that the Combined Proxy Statement and Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on Form N-14 to be used in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby (only insofar as it relates to such party) will, on its effective date and on the Closing Date, not contain any untrue statement of material fact with respect to such party or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein with respect to such party or necessary to make the statements therein with respect to such party, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading. 3.12 Tax Distributions of the Target Funds. Each Target Fund shall have distributed to its shareholders, on or prior to the Closing Date, in distributions qualifying for the deduction for dividends paid under Section 561 of the Code: all of such Target Funds investment company taxable income (as defined in Section 852(b)(2) of the Code determined without regard to Section 852(b)(2)(D) of the Code) for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date; all of the excess of (i) its interest income excludable from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date, over (ii) its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date; and all of its net capital gain (as such term is used in Sections 852(b)(3)(A) and (C) of the Code), after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards, for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date. For each calendar year of its operation (including the calendar year that includes the Closing Date), each Target Fund shall have made such distributions, on or prior to the Closing Date, as are necessary so that for all calendar years ending prior to the Closing Date, and for the calendar year that includes the Closing Date, such Target Fund will not have any unpaid tax liability under Section 4982 of the Code. 3.13 Tax Distributions of the Emerging Markets Fund. The Emerging Markets Fund has distributed to its shareholders, on or prior to the Closing Date, in distributions qualifying for the deduction for dividends paid under Section 561 of the Code: all of its investment company taxable income (as defined in Section 852(b)(2) of the Code determined without regard to Section 852(b)(2)(D) of the Code) for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date; all of the excess of (i) its interest income excludable from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date, over (ii) its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date; and all of its net capital gain (as such term is used in Sections 852(b)(3)(A) and (C) of the Code), after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards, for each taxable year ending on or prior to the Closing Date. For each calendar year of its operation ending on or before the Closing Date, the Emerging Markets Fund shall have made such distributions, on or prior to the Closing Date, as are necessary so that for all calendar years ending on or prior to the Closing Date the Emerging Markets Fund will not have any unpaid tax liability under Section 4982 of the Code. Article 4 Covenants 4.1 Conduct of Business. During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the Closing Date, each party shall operate its business in the ordinary course except as contemplated by this Agreement. 4.2 Shareholder Meeting. Each Target Fund shall call a special meeting of its shareholders as soon as possible for the purpose of considering the reorganization contemplated by this Agreement. 4.3 Preparation of Combined Prospectus and Proxy Statement. As soon as reasonably practicable after the execution of this Agreement, the Emerging Markets Fund shall prepare and file a combined prospectus and proxy statement with respect to the Reorganization with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in form and substance satisfactory to all parties, and shall use its best efforts to provide that the combined prospectus and proxy statement can be distributed to the shareholders of each Target Fund as promptly as thereafter as practicable. As soon a reasonably practicable, the parties shall also prepare and file any other related filings required under applicable state securities laws. 4.4 Fees and Expenses. Whether or not this Agreement is consummated, EPAM shall bear the costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that each Target Fund shall bear the costs and expenses associated with the sale of any of its portfolio securities executed in order to facilitate the Reorganization. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in the disqualification of such party as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code or would prevent the Reorganization from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code. 4.5 Provision of Documents. Each party agrees that it will, from time to time as and when reasonably requested by another party, provide or cause to be provided to the other party such information, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to the other party such documents, and take or cause to be taken such further action, as the other party may deem necessary in order to carry out the intent of this Agreement. 4.6 China Fund and Latin America Fund Liabilities. Each Target Fund will use its best efforts to discharge all of its financial liabilities and obligations prior to the Closing Date. Article 5 Termination, Amendment and Waiver 5.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust at any time prior to the Closing Date, if a) any party shall have breached any material provision of this Agreement; or b) circumstances develop that, in the opinion of such Board, make proceeding with the Reorganization inadvisable; or c) any governmental body shall have issued an order, decree or ruling having the effect of permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of this Agreement. 5.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of any termination pursuant to Section 5.1, there shall be no liability for damage on the part of any party to the other parties. 5.3 Amendment. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the Reorganization and may be amended prior to the Closing Date by the parties in writing at any time; provided, however, that there shall not be any amendment that by law requires approval by the shareholders of a party without obtaining such approval. 5.4 Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing Date, any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be waived by the Board of Trustees of the Trust if, in its judgment after consultation with legal counsel, such action or waiver will not have a material adverse effect on the benefits intended under this Agreement to the shareholders of either Target Fund or the Emerging Markets Fund. Article 6 General Provisions 6.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. 6.2 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other parties. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. 6.3 Recourse. All persons dealing with the Emerging Markets Fund or a Target Fund must look solely to the property of such Fund for the enforcement of any claims against such Fund, as none of the trustees, officers, agents and shareholders of the Trust, the Emerging Markets Fund and the Target Funds assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Emerging Markets Fund or either Target Fund. 6.4 Notices. Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by prepaid telegraph, telecopy or certified mail addressed to any party at: Investment Managers Series Trust 235 West Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 Attn: Maureen Quill with a copy to: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 355 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 4400 Los Angeles, California 90071 Attn: Michael Glazer *** Signature Page Follows*** IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed and attested on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written. I N V E S T M E N T M A N A G E R S S E R I E S T R U S T , o n b e h a l f o f t h e E P E m e r g i n g M a r k e t s S m a l l C o m p a n i e s F u n d By: _______________________________ Rita Dam Treasurer I N V E S T M E N T M A N A G E R S S E R I E S T R U S T , o n b e h a l f o f t h e E P C h i n a F u n d By: _______________________________ Joy Ausili Secretary I N V E S T M E N T M A N A G E R S S E R I E S T R U S T , o n b e h a l f o f t h e E P L a t i n A m e r i c a F u n d By: _______________________________ Joy Ausili Secretary S o l e l y f o r p u r p o s e s o f S e c t i o n 4 . 4 E U R O P A C I F I C A S S E T M A N A G E M E N T , L L C By: _______________________________ James Nelson Managing Member B-12