497K 1 mftefcefsp.htm MFT EMERGING AND FRONTIER COUNTRIES EQUITY FUND AS REVISED 11-4-2019

Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019

as revised November 4, 2019

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund

Class /Ticker     A / EACOX     I / EICOX

This Summary Prospectus is designed to provide investors with key fund information in a clear and concise format. Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, which contain more information about the Fund and its risks. The Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated March 1, 2019, as may be amended or supplemented, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus. For free paper or electronic copies of the Fund’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports, and other information about the Fund, go to http://www.eatonvance.com/funddocuments, email a request to contact@eatonvance.com, call 1-800-262-1122, or ask any financial advisor, bank, or broker-dealer who offers shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise noted, page number references refer to the current Prospectus for this Fund.

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (http://www.eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

Investment Objective

The Fund's investment objective is total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Investors may also pay commissions or other fees to their financial intermediary when they buy and hold shares of the Fund, which are not reflected below. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $50,000 in Eaton Vance funds. Certain financial intermediaries also may offer variations in Fund sales charges to their customers as described in Appendix A – Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations in the Fund's Prospectus. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 31 of the Fund's Prospectus and page 22 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) Class A Class I
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75% None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption) None None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)(1) Class A Class I
Management Fees 1.00% 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% None
Other Expenses 0.42% 0.42%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.67% 1.42%
Expense Reimbursement(2) (0.02)% (0.02)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses  after Expense Reimbursement 1.65% 1.40%
(1)Expenses in the table above and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and Global Macro Capital Opportunities Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), the Fund’s master Portfolio.
(2)The investment adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.65% for Class A shares and 1.40% for Class I shares. This expense reimbursement will continue through February 29, 2020. Any amendment to or termination of this reimbursement would require approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense reimbursement relates to ordinary operating expenses only and does not include expenses such as: brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses of unaffiliated funds, interest expense, taxes or litigation expenses. Amounts reimbursed may be recouped by the investment adviser during the same fiscal year to the extent actual expenses are less than the contractual expense cap during such year.
 
 

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the operating expenses remain the same and that any expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place for the contractual period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Class A shares $733 $1,069 $1,428 $2,436
Class I shares $143 $447 $774 $1,700

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” the portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 39% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity investments in emerging and frontier market countries (“80% Policy”). In complying with its 80% Policy, the Fund will be substantially invested in both emerging and frontier market countries. An equity investment is considered to be in an emerging or frontier country if it is tied economically to that country. The investment adviser considers a number of factors to determine whether an investment is tied economically to a particular country, including: the primary trading market; the issuer’s domicile, sources of revenue, and location of assets; whether the investment is included in an index representative of a particular country; the source of government guarantees (if any); and whether the investment is exposed to the economic fortunes and risks of a particular country.

Emerging market countries are countries represented in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the “Index”). Frontier market countries include any country that is outside of the Index or MSCI All Country World Index; and may include any country that is currently included in the MSCI Frontier Markets Index, Russell Frontier Index, S&P Frontier Broad Market Index (BMI), or similar market indices. Frontier markets are among the smallest and least mature markets. The Fund may have significant investment in a geographic region or country and normally invests in multiple countries and geographic regions. The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in developed countries.

Equity investments include common stocks, preferred stocks, private equity securities and other instruments that provide exposure to equity securities or markets. The Fund may invest in securities issued by companies with a broad range of market capitalization, including smaller companies. The Fund’s equity investments also include investments in depositary receipts and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), as well as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), a type of pooled investment vehicle, in order to manage cash positions or seek exposure to certain markets or market sectors.

The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in income investments of any maturity, duration or credit rating, including without limit those rated below investment grade (often referred to as “junk bonds”). Income investments are corporate bonds and other debt securities, loans, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, obligations of other sovereign nations, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, inflation and credit-linked debt securities, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), convertible and other hybrid securities, and other non-equity investments.

The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments. The Fund expects to achieve certain exposures through derivative transactions, including (but not limited to) forward foreign currency exchange contracts; futures on securities, indices, currencies, swaps and other investments; options; equity-linked securities; and interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps, which may create economic leverage in the Fund. The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek to enhance total return; to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates; to manage certain investment risks; for speculation purposes to gain certain types of exposures; and/or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities or currencies. There is no stated limit on the Fund’s use of derivatives. The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements, forward commitments and short selling.

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund2Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019
 

The Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets (i.e., “concentrate”) in an industry under certain circumstances. Generally, the Fund will not purchase a security if, after such purchase, more than 25% of its total assets would be invested in any one industry, except that the Fund may purchase the securities of any issuer, if as a result, no more than 35% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in any industry that accounts for more than 20% of a benchmark index of the Fund. In making this determination, the Fund currently uses its blended benchmark index, which is comprised of 50% MSCI Emerging Markets Index and 50% MSCI Frontier Market Index (the “Blended Index”). In order to determine whether an industry constitutes 20% or more of the Blended Index, the Fund will average (i) the percentage of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index that is represented by that industry, and (ii) the percentage of the MSCI Frontier Markets Index that is represented by that industry, each as of the most recent month end. As of September 30, 2019, the banking industry represented 31.52% of the Blended Index and 24.09% of the Fund’s total assets were invested in the banking industry.

The Fund seeks to employ a top-down investment process that emphasizes broad exposure among countries, economic sectors and issuers. In managing the Fund, the investment adviser seeks to gain exposures to countries whose macro indicators are expected to strengthen. Based on the investment adviser’s global macroeconomic and political analysis, the investment adviser attempts to identify countries it believes have potential to outperform investments in other countries, and to anticipate changes in global economies, markets, political conditions and other factors for this purpose. The investment adviser invests in equity investments and index derivatives to construct country-level and sector equity exposures while attempting to minimize the structural or behavioral characteristic risks of individual securities. For the Fund, the investment adviser does not set particular investment or exposure levels to any index. The investment adviser considers the relative risk/return characteristics of prospective investments (whether securities, currencies, derivatives or other instruments) in determining the most efficient means for achieving desired exposures. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund.

The Fund currently invests its assets in the Portfolio, a separate registered investment company with substantially similar investment objective, policies and risks as the Fund, but may also invest directly in securities and other instruments.

Principal Risks

Market Risk. The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to economic, political and financial events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets. The frequency and magnitude of such changes in value cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions. Actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, such as decreases or increases in short-term interest rates, could cause high volatility in markets. No active trading market may exist for certain investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets. Fixed-income markets may experience periods of relatively high volatility in an environment where U.S. treasury yields are rising.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer and sector-specific considerations; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks. If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Fund’s equity securities will also likely decline. Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country. Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States, and as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country. Depositary receipts are subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign instruments.

Economic data as reported by sovereign entities may be delayed, inaccurate or fraudulent. In the event of a default by a sovereign entity, there are typically no assets to be seized or cash flows to be attached. Furthermore, the willingness or ability of a sovereign entity to restructure defaulted debt may be limited. Therefore, losses on sovereign defaults may far exceed the losses from the default of a similarly rated U.S. debt issuer.

Emerging Markets Investment Risk. Investment markets in emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid and more volatile than developed markets, and emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. Such risks may be greater in frontier markets.

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund3Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019
 

 

Frontier Market Investment Risk.  Frontier markets are among the smallest and least mature investment markets.  Frontier market countries may have greater political or economic instability and may also be subject to trade barriers, adjustments in currency values and developing or changing securities laws and other regulations.  Investments in frontier market countries generally are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than investments in developed markets or emerging markets.

Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.

Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in any industry that accounts for more than 20% of the Blended Index, which will make the Fund more susceptible to economic, business, political or other factors affecting the issuers in that industry. In general, concentration in an industry can be expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of any increases and decreases in the value of a fund’s shares. Accordingly, a fund that concentrates its investments in a particular industry will involve more risk than a fund that invests more broadly. As of September 30, 2019, the Fund invests approximately 24% of its total assets in the banking industry. Companies in the banking industry include both regional and national commercial banks. Companies in the banking industry are subject to extensive government regulation and can be significantly affected by the availability and cost of capital funds, changes in interest rates, the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults and price competition. The Fund’s investment in the banking industry may change at any time.

Restricted Securities Risk. Unless registered for sale to the public under applicable federal securities law, restricted securities can be sold only in private transactions to qualified purchasers pursuant to an exemption from registration. The sale price realized from a private transaction could be less than the Fund’s purchase price for the restricted security. It may be difficult to identify a qualified purchaser for a restricted security held by the Fund and such security could be deemed illiquid. It may also be more difficult to value such securities.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.

Geographic Risk. Because the Fund may invest significantly in a particular geographic region or country, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region or country and may fluctuate more than that of a fund that has less exposure to such region or country.

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

Preferred Stock Risk. Although preferred stocks represent an ownership interest in an issuer, preferred stocks generally do not have voting rights or have limited voting rights and have economic characteristics similar to fixed-income securities. Preferred stocks are subject to issuer-specific risks generally applicable to equity securities and credit and interest rate risks generally applicable to fixed-income securities. The value of preferred stock generally declines when interest rates rise and may react more significantly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.

Convertible and Other Hybrid Securities Risk. Convertible and other hybrid securities (including preferred and convertible instruments) generally possess certain characteristics of both equity and debt securities. In addition to risks associated with investing in income securities, such as interest rate and credit risks, hybrid securities may be subject to issuer-specific and market risks generally applicable to equity securities. Convertible securities may also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to equity investing and market risks. A convertible security may be converted at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund4Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019
 

 

Real Estate Risk. Real estate investments are subject to risks associated with owning real estate, including declines in real estate values, increases in property taxes, fluctuations in interest rates, limited availability of mortgage financing, decreases in revenues from underlying real estate assets, declines in occupancy rates, changes in government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, environmental liabilities, and risks related to the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Companies in the real estate industry may also be subject to liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws, among others. REITs must satisfy specific requirements for favorable tax treatment and can involve unique risks in addition to the risks generally affecting the real estate industry. Changes in underlying real estate values may have an exaggerated effect to the extent that investments are concentrated in particular geographic regions or property types.

ETF Risk. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or other investments. ETF shares may trade at a premium or discount to net asset value and are subject to secondary market trading risks. In addition, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the operating expenses of an ETF in which it invests. Other pooled investment vehicles generally are subject to risks similar to those of ETFs.

ETN Risk. ETNs are debt obligations and their payments of interest or principal are linked to the performance of a reference investment (typically an index). ETNs are subject to the performance of their issuer and may lose all or a portion of their entire value if the issuer fails or its credit rating changes. An ETN that is tied to a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and weighting of the components of that index.  ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by the reference investment and the cost of owning an ETN may exceed the cost of investing directly in the reference investment.  The market trading price of an ETN may be more volatile than the reference investment it is designed to track. The Fund may purchase an ETN at prices that exceed its net asset value and may sell such investments at prices below such net asset value. The Fund may not be able to liquidate ETN holdings at the time and price desired, which may impact Fund performance.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of commercial or residential mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables. Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities. Although certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a government entity, the market price for such securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. The purchase of mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may entail greater risk than such securities that are issued or guaranteed by a government entity. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may also be subject to greater volatility than government issues and can also be subject to greater credit risk and the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or other assets. Investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to both extension risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations more slowly in times of rising interest rates, and prepayment risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations sooner than expected in times of declining interest rates.

Stripped Securities Risk. Stripped Securities (“Strips”) are usually structured with classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying asset or pool of underlying assets. Classes may receive only interest distributions (interest-only “IO”) or only principal (principal-only “PO”). Strips are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates because this may increase or decrease prepayments of principal. A rapid or unexpected increase in prepayments can significantly depress the value of IO Strips, while a rapid or unexpected decrease can have the same effect on PO Strips.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Although certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. U.S. Treasury securities generally have a lower return than other obligations because of their higher credit quality and market liquidity.

Credit Risk. Investments in fixed income and other debt obligations, including loans, (referred to below as “debt instruments”) are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates. In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure, junior loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior loans of the same borrower.

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund5Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019
 

Lower Rated Investments Risk. Investments rated below investment grade and comparable unrated investments (sometimes referred to as “junk”) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments typically are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.

Interest Rate Risk. In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise. Generally, securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than shorter maturity securities, causing them to be more volatile. Conversely, fixed income securities with shorter maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower returns than fixed income securities with longer maturities. The impact of interest rate changes is significantly less for floating-rate investments that have relatively short periodic rate resets (e.g., ninety days or less). In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended. In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.

Inflation-Linked Investments Risk. Inflation-linked investments are subject to the effects of changes in market interest rates caused by factors other than inflation (real interest rates). In general, the price of an inflation-linked investment tends to decrease when real interest rates increase and increase when real interest rates decrease. Interest payments on inflation-linked investments may vary widely and will fluctuate as the principal and interest are adjusted for inflation. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked investment will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though the Fund will not receive the principal until maturity. There can be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. The Fund’s investments in inflation-linked investments may lose value in the event that the actual rate of inflation is different from the rate of the inflation index.

Additional Risks of Loans. Loans are traded in a private, unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank resale market and are generally subject to contractual restrictions that must be satisfied before a loan can be bought or sold. These restrictions may impede the Fund’s ability to buy or sell loans (thus affecting their liquidity) and may negatively impact the transaction price. See also “Market Risk” above. It also may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. Due to the possibility of an extended loan settlement process, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders to meet short-term liquidity needs, such as to satisfy redemption requests from Fund shareholders. The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and possibly other factors. Loans with fewer covenants that restrict activities of the borrower may provide the borrower with more flexibility to take actions that may be detrimental to the loan holders and provide fewer investor protections in the event of such actions or if covenants are breached. The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expense in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants. Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. (including loans to sovereign entities) may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks. The Fund may have difficulties and incur expense enforcing its rights with respect to non-U.S. loans and such loans could be subject to bankruptcy laws that are materially different than in the U.S. Sovereign entities may be unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under a loan due to budgetary limitations or economic or political changes within the country. Loans may be structured such that they are not securities under securities law, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower, lenders may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws. Loans are also subject to risks associated with other types of income investments, including credit risk and risks of lower rated investments.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the asset, index, rate or instrument underlying a derivative, due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying asset, index, rate or instrument. Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund. Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund6Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019
 

 

correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, index or instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment, particularly when there is no stated limit on the Fund’s use of derivatives. A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the asset, index, rate or instrument underlying the investment.

Leverage Risk. Certain fund transactions may give rise to leverage. Leverage can result from a non-cash exposure to an asset, index, rate or instrument. Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund. The Fund is required to segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover the Fund’s obligation created by a transaction that may give rise to leverage. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Short Sale Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed security. Short sale risks include, among others, the potential loss of more money than the actual cost of the investment, and the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

Repurchase Agreement Risk. A repurchase agreement is the purchase by the Fund of securities from a counterparty in exchange for cash that is coupled with an agreement to resell those securities to the counterparty at a specified date and price. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days that the investment adviser believes may not be terminated within seven days at approximately the amount at which a Fund has valued the agreements are considered illiquid securities. In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement, recovery of the repurchase price owed to the Fund may be delayed. Such insolvency may result in a loss to the extent that the value of the purchased securities decreases during the delay.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Risk. Securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis are subject to the risk that when delivered they will be worth less than the agreed upon payment price.

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

Risks Associated with Active Management. The success of the Fund’s investment strategy depends on portfolio management’s successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment. Active management involves subjective decisions.

General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund is designed to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not suited for short-term trading. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s). In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund. The Fund relies on various service providers, including the investment adviser, in its operations and is susceptible to operational, information security and related events (such as cyber or hacking attacks) that may affect the service providers or the services that they provide to the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund7Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019
 

 

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of two broad-based securities market indices and a blended index. The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance (both before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The performance of each Class for the period prior to November 3, 2014 is that of Global Macro Capital Opportunities Portfolio, the separate registered investment company in which the Fund invests. The performance of the Portfolio is not adjusted for Fund expenses. If such an adjustment was made, the performance would have been different. The Fund’s performance after November 3, 2014 reflects the effects of expense reductions. Absent these reductions, performance would have been lower. Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.

During the period from December 31, 2013 through December 31, 2018, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 9.60% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, and the lowest quarterly return was -15.44% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2018 One Year Five Years Life of Fund
Class A Return Before Taxes -19.65% -1.37% -1.08%
Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions -20.19% -1.60% -1.30%
Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Class A Shares -11.29% -1.13% -0.89%
Class I Return Before Taxes -14.58% 0.00% 0.25%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) -14.58% 1.34% 1.14%
MSCI Frontier Market Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) -16.41% 1.65% 1.42%
Blended Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)* -15.38% 1.34% 1.46%

* The Blended Index consists of 50% MSCI Emerging Markets Index and 50% MSCI Frontier Market Index, rebalanced monthly.

These returns reflect the maximum sales charge for Class A (5.75%). Class A and Class I shares commenced operations on November 3, 2014. The Class A and Class I performance shown above for the period prior to November 3, 2014 (commencement of operations) is the performance of the Portfolio, adjusted for the sales charge that applies to Class A shares, but not adjusted for Fund expenses. If adjusted for such differences, returns would be different. The Portfolio commenced operations on November 1, 2013. (Source for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and MSCI Frontier Market Index: MSCI.) MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder. Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.

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

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund8Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019
 

 

Management

Investment Adviser. Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Boston Management and Research (“BMR”) serves as investment adviser to the Portfolio(s).

Portfolio Managers

John R. Baur, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund since its inception in November 2014 and the Portfolio since its inception in November 2013.

Michael A. Cirami, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund since its inception in November 2014 and the Portfolio since its inception in November 2013.

Eric A. Stein, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund since its inception in November 2014 and the Portfolio since its inception in November 2013.

Marshall L. Stocker, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund since its inception in November 2014 and the Portfolio since its inception in November 2013.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

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

Tax Information

If your shares are held in a taxable account, the Fund’s distributions will be taxed to you as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are exempt from taxation. If your shares are held in a tax-advantaged account, you will generally be taxed only upon withdrawals from the account.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

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

16191 11.4.19 © 2019 Eaton Vance Management

 

 

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund9Summary Prospectus dated March 1, 2019 as revised November 4, 2019