485BPOS 1 d673657d485bpos.htm THE GLENMEDE PORTFOLIOS The Glenmede Portfolios
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2014

Registration Nos. 33-46593

811-06578

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   x
   Pre-Effective Amendment No.   ¨
   Post-Effective Amendment No. 34   x

and

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   x
   Amendment No. 35  

 

 

The Glenmede Portfolios

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

4 Copley Place, 5th Floor

CPH-0326

Boston, MA 02116

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number:

1-800-442-8299

 

 

Michael P. Malloy, Esq.

Secretary

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

  ¨ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  x on February 28, 2014 pursuant to paragraph (b)
  ¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
  ¨ on              pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
  ¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
  ¨ on              pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

  ¨ this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest

 

 

 


Table of Contents

THE GLENMEDE FUND, INC.

THE GLENMEDE PORTFOLIOS

Prospectus

February 28, 2014

Money Market Portfolios

Government Cash Portfolio (GTGXX)

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio (GTCXX)

Bond Portfolios

Core Fixed Income Portfolio (GTCGX)

Muni Intermediate Portfolio (GTCMX)

New Jersey Muni Portfolio (GTNJX)

Investment Advisor

Glenmede Investment Management LP

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the Portfolios’ securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. It is a criminal offense to state otherwise.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY SECTION

     3   

Government Cash Portfolio

     3   

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

     6   

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

     9   

Muni Intermediate Portfolio

     12   

New Jersey Muni Portfolio

     15   

Purchase and Sale of Portfolio Shares

     17   

Financial Intermediary Compensation

     17   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS

     18   

PRICE OF PORTFOLIO SHARES

     22   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

     23   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     25   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

     25   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIOS

     27   

GENERAL INFORMATION

     28   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     29   


Table of Contents

SUMMARY SECTION

Government Cash Portfolio

Investment Objective: Maximum current interest income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.

Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum Account Fee
(annual percentage of assets under management)
1

     1.25

Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  

Management Fees

     0.00

Other Expenses
(include administration, custody, accounting services and similar expenses and .10% shareholder servicing fees payable to Glenmede Trust)

     0.20
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses

     0.20
  

 

 

 

 

1 

Investors in the Portfolios must be clients of The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A. (“Glenmede Trust”) or its affiliated companies (“Affiliates”). The “Maximum Account Fee” in the above table is the current maximum annual fee that Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates would charge its clients directly for fiduciary, trust and/or advisory services (e.g., personal trust, estate, advisory, tax and custodian services).

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio 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 and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. 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  
$ 20       $ 64       $ 113       $ 255   

Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal market circumstances, the Government Cash Portfolio invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies, or other agencies or instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government, and enters into repurchase agreements secured by securities issued or sponsored by such entities. The Portfolio invests in securities which Glenmede Investment Management LP (the “Advisor”) believes present minimal credit risks at the time of purchase and which mature or provide for redemption within 13 months from the date of purchase. Such securities must be rated in the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. The dollar-weighted average maturity of the Portfolio is expected to be 60 days or less and the dollar-weighted average life to maturity is expected to be 120 days or less.

Principal Investment Risks: All investments carry a certain amount of risk and the Portfolio cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. In addition, the strategies that the Advisor uses may fail to produce the intended result. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio.

The Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek monthly income with minimal risk to principal. The Portfolio is not appropriate for you if you are seeking a high level of monthly income or long-term total return.

Money Market Risk: Although the Portfolio seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Portfolio. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor or its affiliates to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Portfolio’s $1.00 share price.

 

3


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Interest Rate Risk: The value of the Portfolio’s investments tend to fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Generally, their value will decrease when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. A period of low interest rates may cause the Portfolio to have a lower or negative yield.

Credit Risk: Although the Portfolio invests in money market instruments which the Advisor believes present minimal credit risks at the time of purchase, there is a risk that an issuer may not be able to make principal and interest payments when due.

Government Agency Risk: Direct obligations of the U.S. Government such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds are supported by its full faith and credit. Indirect obligations issued by Federal agencies and government-sponsored entities generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Accordingly, while U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Some of these indirect obligations may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.

Default Risk: The Portfolio may make loans through collateralized repurchase agreements. Although loans made by the Portfolio are collateralized with the borrower’s securities or cash, the Portfolio could suffer a loss if the borrower defaults on its obligation to buy the securities back under the terms of the repurchase agreement.

Performance Information: The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolio has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for one, five and ten years compare to those of selected market indices. The Portfolio’s past performance, before and after-taxes, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Performance reflects fee waivers in effect from time to time since 2010. If fee waivers were not in place, the Portfolio’s performance would be reduced. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.glenmede.com or by calling 1-800-442-8299.

 

Government Cash Portfolio

 

LOGO

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 1.30% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2006) and the lowest quarterly return was 0.00% (for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, December 31, 2011, March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012, September 30, 2012, December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2013).

Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

     Past 1
Year
  Past 5
Years
  Past 10
Years
Government Cash Portfolio   0.00%   0.10%   1.71%
iMoneyNet’s Government All AverageTM1   0.01%   0.03%   1.41%

 

1 

The iMoneyNet’s Government All Average is provided so that investors may compare the performance of the Portfolio with the performance of a peer group of funds similar to the Portfolio.

7 Day Yield as of December 31, 2013: 0.00%

 

4


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Investment Adviser: Glenmede Investment Management LP serves as investment advisor to the Portfolio.

Portfolio Manager: Stephen J. Mahoney, Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has managed the Portfolio since September 6, 2011.

Tax Information: The Portfolio’s distributions are taxable and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are purchasing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

For important information about purchase and sale of the Portfolio’s shares and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to those section headings on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

5


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Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

Investment Objective: Maximum current interest income exempt from Federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.

Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum Account Fee
(annual percentage of assets under management)
1

     1.25

Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  

Management Fees

     0.00

Other Expenses
(include administration, custody, accounting services and similar expenses and .10% shareholder servicing fees payable to Glenmede Trust)

     0.20
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses

     0.20
  

 

 

 

 

1 

Investors in the Portfolio must be clients of Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates. The “Maximum Account Fee” in the above table is the current maximum annual fee that Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates would charge its clients directly for fiduciary, trust and/or advisory services (e.g., personal trust, estate, advisory, tax and custodian services).

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio 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 and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. 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  
$ 20       $ 64       $ 113       $ 255   

Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal market circumstances, the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in short-term, high quality municipal obligations that pay interest that is exempt from regular Federal income tax and Federal alternative minimum tax. The Portfolio will use its best efforts to avoid investing any of its assets in municipal obligations which pay interest that may be subject to Federal alternative minimum tax. Municipal obligations may include, for example, project and demand notes, tax, revenue or bond anticipation notes, municipal bonds, variable rate demand notes and non-rated privately placed securities.

The Portfolio invests in securities which the Advisor believes present minimal credit risks at the time of purchase and which mature or provide for redemption within 13 months from the date of purchase. Such securities must be rated in the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. The dollar-weighted average maturity of the Portfolio is expected to be 60 days or less and the dollar-weighted average life to maturity is expected to be 120 days or less.

Principal Investment Risks: All investments carry a certain amount of risk and the Portfolio cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. In addition, the strategies that the Advisor uses may fail to produce the intended result. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio.

The Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek monthly income with minimal risk to principal. The Portfolio is not appropriate for you if you are seeking a high level of monthly income or long-term total return.

Money Market Risk: Although the Portfolio seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Portfolio. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor or its affiliates to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Portfolio’s $1.00 share price.

 

6


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Interest Rate Risk: The value of the Portfolio’s investments tend to fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Generally, their value will decrease when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. A period of low interest rates may cause the Portfolio to have a low or negative yield.

Credit Risk: Although the Portfolio invests in money market instruments which the Advisor believes present minimal credit risks at the time of purchase, there is a risk that an issuer may not be able to make principal and interest payments when due.

Municipal Obligation Risk: Municipal security prices, payment of interest on, repayment of principal for, and the market for municipal securities can be significantly affected by economic and political changes as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those relating to education, healthcare, transportation and utilities, conditions in those market sectors can affect municipal bond prices. In addition, a portion or all of the interest received from certain tax-exempt municipal securities could become taxable as result of determinations by the Internal Revenue Service.

Performance Information: The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolio has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for one, five and ten years compare to those of selected market indices. The Portfolio’s past performance, before and after-taxes, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect from time to time since 2009. If fee waivers or reimbursements were not in place, the Portfolio’s performance would be reduced. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.glenmede.com or by calling 1-800-442-8299.

 

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

 

LOGO

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 0.87% (for the quarters ended June 30, 2007 and September 30, 2007) and the lowest quarterly return was 0.00% (for the quarters ended September 30, 2009, December 31, 2009, March 31, 2010, September 30, 2010, March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, December 31, 2011, March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012, September 30, 2012, December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2013).

Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

     Past 1
Year
  Past 5
Years
  Past 10
Years
Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio   0.00%   0.02%   1.14%
iMoneyNet’s National Retail Tax-Free AverageTM1   0.01%   0.04%   0.99%

 

1 

The iMoneyNet’s National Retail Tax-Free Average is provided so that investors may compare the performance of the Portfolio with the performance of a peer group of funds similar to the Portfolio.

7 Day Yield as of December 31, 2013: 0.00%

 

7


Table of Contents

Investment Adviser: Glenmede Investment Management LP serves as investment advisor to the Portfolio.

Portfolio Manager: Mary Ann B. Wirts, Chief Administrative Officer and a Managing Director of the Advisor, has managed the Portfolio since 1988.

Tax Information: The Portfolio anticipates that substantially all of its income distributions will be “exempt interest dividends,” which are exempt from Federal income taxes. However, some distributions may be taxable, such as distributions that are derived from occasional taxable investments and distributions of short and long-term capital gains, or may be subject to Federal alternative minimum tax.

For important information about purchase and sale of the Portfolio’s shares and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to those section headings on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

8


Table of Contents

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

Investment Objective: Maximum long-term total return consistent with reasonable risk to principal.

Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum Account Fee
(annual percentage of assets under management)
1

     1.25

Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  

Management Fees

     0.35

Other Expenses
(include administration, custody, accounting services and similar expenses and .10% shareholder servicing fees payable to Glenmede Trust)

     0.21
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses

     0.56
  

 

 

 

 

1 

Investors in the Portfolio may be clients of Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates. The “Maximum Account Fee” in the above table is the current maximum annual fee that Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates would charge its clients directly for fiduciary, trust and/or advisory services (e.g., personal trust, estate, advisory, tax and custodian services). Glenmede Trust and its Affiliates currently intend to exclude the portion of their clients’ assets invested in the Portfolio when calculating client fees.

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio 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 and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. 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  
$ 57       $ 179       $ 313       $ 701   

Portfolio Turnover: The Portfolio pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. The Portfolio may actively trade portfolio securities to achieve its principal investment strategies. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal market circumstances, at least 80% of the value of the Portfolio’s net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in fixed income securities.

The Portfolio invests primarily in mortgage-backed securities and fixed income securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies or other agencies or instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government (collectively, “U.S. Government Securities”) and in debt obligations of domestic and foreign companies. Debt obligations of companies or other entities guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities are considered by the Portfolio to be obligations of the guarantor. The Portfolio may also invest in privately issued mortgage-backed securities and enter into repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities and reverse repurchase agreements. Under normal circumstances, at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in U.S. Government Securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities. The Portfolio expects to maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of 3 to 10 years. Such securities will be rated at least A by Standard & Poor’s® Rating Group (“S&P®”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. If a portfolio security’s rating is reduced to below the above levels, the Advisor will dispose of the security in an orderly fashion as soon as practicable.

The Advisor purchases securities that it believes have potential for higher returns than other securities with similar characteristics and risk, considering factors such as maturity, coupon, credit and any prepayment options. The Advisor

 

9


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will generally sell a security for a number of reasons, including when the expected performance has been realized or to purchase another security with similar characteristics and risk but that the Advisor believes has a higher expected return.

Principal Investment Risks: All investments carry a certain amount of risk and the Portfolio cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. In addition, the strategies that the Advisor uses may fail to produce the intended result. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The net asset value of the Portfolio will fluctuate. Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio.

The Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek a regular stream of income with higher potential returns than money market funds and if you are also willing to accept more risk.

Interest Rate Risk: The value of fixed income securities tends to fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Generally, their value will decrease when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Fixed income securities with longer maturities are more susceptible to interest rate fluctuations than those with shorter maturities. Therefore, the risk of interest rate fluctuation is greater to the extent that the Portfolio invests in long-term securities.

Credit Risk: Fixed income securities are also subject to the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due. The Portfolio may invest in shares of registered investment companies rated BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. Securities rated BBB- or Baa3 are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics and are more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than higher rated securities.

Government Agency Risk: Direct obligations of the U.S. Government such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds are supported by its full faith and credit. Indirect obligations issued by Federal agencies and government-sponsored entities generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Accordingly, while U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Some of these indirect obligations may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.

Prepayment Risk: The Portfolio is subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that a debt security may be paid off and the proceeds returned to the Portfolio earlier than anticipated. Depending on market conditions, proceeds may be reinvested at lower interest rates.

Default Risk: The Portfolio may make loans through collateralized repurchase agreements. It may also borrow money through reverse repurchase agreements. Although loans made by the Portfolio are collateralized with the borrower’s securities, the Portfolio could suffer a loss if the borrower defaults on its obligation to buy the securities back under the terms of the repurchase agreement.

Performance Information: The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolio has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for one, five and ten years compare to those of selected market indices. The Portfolio’s past performance, before and after-taxes, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.glenmede.com or by calling 1-800-442-8299.

 

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

 

LOGO

 

10


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During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 5.92% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2008) and the lowest quarterly return was -2.73% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2013).

After-tax returns for the Portfolio are calculated using the historical highest individual Federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Portfolio shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

     Past 1
Year
  Past 5
Years
  Past 10
Years
Return Before Taxes   (2.71)%   3.67%   4.29%
Return After Taxes on Distributions   (3.96)%   2.36%   2.84%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares   (1.48)%   2.43%   2.83%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)   (2.02)%   4.44%   4.55%
Morningstar Intermediate-Term Bond Average1   (1.42)%   6.38%   4.07%

 

1 

The Morningstar Intermediate-Term Bond Average is provided so that investors may compare the performance of the Portfolio with the performance a peer group of funds that Morningstar, Inc. considers similar to the Portfolio.

Investment Adviser: Glenmede Investment Management LP serves as investment advisor to the Portfolio.

Portfolio Manager: Stephen J. Mahoney, Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has managed the Portfolio since January 1999.

Tax Information: The Portfolio’s distributions are taxable and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are purchasing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

For important information about purchase and sale of the Portfolio’s shares and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to those section headings on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

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Muni Intermediate Portfolio

Investment Objective: As high a level of current income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum Account Fee
(annual percentage of assets under management)
1

     1.25

Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  

Management Fees

     0.00

Other Expenses
(include administration, custody, accounting services and similar expenses and .15% shareholder servicing fees payable to Glenmede Trust)

     0.25
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses

     0.25
  

 

 

 

 

1 

Investors in the Portfolio must be clients of Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates. The “Maximum Account Fee” in the above table is the current maximum annual fee that Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates would charge its clients directly for fiduciary, trust and/or advisory services (e.g., personal trust, estate, advisory, tax and custodian services).

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio 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 and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. 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  
$ 26       $ 80       $ 141       $ 318   

Portfolio Turnover: The Portfolio pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 68% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal market circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in intermediate and long-term obligations of the states, territories and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities that pay interest that is exempt from regular Federal income tax, but may be subject to Federal alternative minimum tax. The Portfolio may also invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities. The Portfolio expects to maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of 3 to 10 years. The Portfolio purchases municipal obligations that the Advisor believes have the best value compared to securities of similar credit quality and maturity range. The Portfolio generally sells municipal obligations for a number of reasons, including a change in credit quality, to extend maturity, to increase yield or to raise funds to cover redemptions.

The Portfolio will invest in securities that are rated at the time of purchase within the three highest ratings assigned by Moody’s (i.e., Aaa, Aa, A) or S&P (AAA, AA, A) in the case of bonds, or rated SP-1 or higher by S&P or MIG-2 or higher by Moody’s in the case of notes. The Portfolio may invest in unrated securities if they are determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. If a portfolio security’s rating is reduced to below the above levels, the Advisor will dispose of the security in an orderly fashion as soon as practicable.

Principal Investment Risks: All investments carry a certain amount of risk and the Portfolio cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. The strategy that the Advisor uses may fail to produce the intended result. An

 

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investment in a Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The net asset value of the Portfolio will fluctuate. Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio.

The Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek a regular stream of income with higher potential returns than money market funds and if you are also willing to accept more risk.

Interest Rate Risk: The value of fixed income securities tends to fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Generally, their value will decrease when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Fixed income securities are also subject to the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due. Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio. Fixed income securities with longer maturities are more susceptible to interest rate fluctuations than those with shorter maturities. Therefore, the risk of interest rate fluctuation is greater to the extent that the Portfolio invests in long-term securities.

Credit Risk: Fixed income securities are also subject to the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due.

Municipal Obligation Risk: Municipal security prices, payment of interest on, repayment of principal for, and the market for municipal securities can be significantly affected by economic and political changes as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those relating to education, healthcare, transportation and utilities, conditions in those market sectors can affect municipal bond prices. In addition, a portion or all of the interest received from certain tax-exempt municipal securities could become taxable as a result of determinations by the Internal Revenue Service.

Government Agency Risk: Direct obligations of the U.S. Government such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds are supported by its full faith and credit. Indirect obligations issued by Federal agencies and government-sponsored entities generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Accordingly, while U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Some of these indirect obligations may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.

Call Risk: The Portfolio is subject to call risk. Call risk is the risk that changes in interest rates may cause certain municipal securities to be paid off much sooner or later than expected, which could adversely affect a Portfolio’s value.

Performance Information: The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolio has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for one, five and ten years compare to those of selected market indices. The Portfolio’s past performance, before and after-taxes, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.glenmede.com or by calling 1-800-442-8299.

 

Muni Intermediate Portfolio

 

LOGO

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 3.91% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2008) and the lowest quarterly return was -2.00% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2013).

 

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After-tax returns for the Portfolio are calculated using the historical highest individual Federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Portfolio shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

     Past 1
Year
  Past 5
Years
  Past 10
Years
Return Before Taxes   (0.95)%   3.26%   3.06%
Return After Taxes on Distributions   (0.95)%   3.26%   3.06%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares   0.46%   3.07%   3.04%
Barclays Capital Municipal 1-10 Year Blend Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)   (2.59)%   3.72%   3.59%
Morningstar Muni National Short Average1   (0.07)%   2.43%   2.13%

 

1 

The Morningstar Muni National Short Average is provided so that investors may compare the performance of the Portfolio with the performance of a peer group of funds that Morningstar, Inc. considers similar to the Portfolio.

Investment Adviser: Glenmede Investment Management LP serves as investment advisor to the Portfolio.

Portfolio Manager: Mary Ann B. Wirts, Chief Administrative Officer and a Managing Director of the Advisor, has managed the Portfolio since September 6, 2011.

Tax Information: The Portfolio anticipates that substantially all of its income distributions will be “exempt interest dividends,” which are exempt from Federal income taxes. However, some distributions may be taxable, such as distributions that are derived from occasional taxable investments and distributions of short and long-term capital gains, or may be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax.

For important information about purchase and sale of the Portfolio’s shares and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to those section headings on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

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New Jersey Muni Portfolio

Investment Objective: As high a level of current income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of capital.

Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum Account Fee
(annual percentage of assets under management)
1

     1.25

Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  

Management Fees

     0.00

Other Expenses
(include administration, custody, accounting services and similar expenses and .15% shareholder servicing fees payable to Glenmede Trust)

     0.29
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses

     0.29
  

 

 

 

 

1 

Investors in the Portfolios must be clients of Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates. The “Maximum Account Fee” in the above table is the current maximum annual fee that Glenmede Trust or its Affiliates would charge its clients directly for fiduciary, trust and/or advisory services (e.g., personal trust, estate, advisory, tax and custodian services).

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio 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 and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. 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  
$30    $ 93       $ 163       $ 368   

Portfolio Turnover: The Portfolio pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 43% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal market circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in intermediate and long-term tax-exempt obligations of the State of New Jersey and its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities, including regional governmental authorities. The Portfolio may also invest in U.S. Government obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities. The Portfolio expects to maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of 3 to 10 years. The Portfolio purchases municipal obligations that the Advisor believes have the best value compared to securities of similar credit quality and maturity range. The Portfolio generally sells municipal obligations for a number of reasons, including a change in credit quality, to extend maturity, to increase yield or to raise funds to cover redemptions.

The Portfolio will invest in securities that are rated at the time of purchase within the three highest ratings assigned by Moody’s (i.e., Aaa, Aa, A) or S&P (AAA, AA, A) in the case of bonds, or rated SP-1 or higher by S&P or MIG-2 or higher by Moody’s in the case of notes. The Portfolio may invest in unrated securities if they are determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. If a portfolio security’s rating is reduced to below the above levels, the Advisor will dispose of the security in an orderly fashion as soon as practicable.

Principal Investment Risks: All investments carry a certain amount of risk and the Portfolio cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. In addition, the strategies that the Advisor uses may fail to produce the intended result. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The net asset value of the Portfolio will fluctuate. Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio.

 

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The Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek a regular stream of income with higher potential returns than money market funds and if you are also willing to accept more risk.

Interest Rate Risk: The value of fixed income securities tends to fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Generally, their value will decrease when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Fixed income securities are also subject to the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due. Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio. Fixed income securities with longer maturities are more susceptible to interest rate fluctuations than those with shorter maturities. Therefore, the risk of interest rate fluctuation is greater to the extent that the Portfolio invests in long-term securities.

Municipal Obligation Risk: Municipal security prices, payment of interest on, repayment of principal for and the market for municipal securities can be significantly affected by economic and political changes as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those relating to education, healthcare, transportation and utilities, conditions in those market sectors can affect municipal bond prices. In addition, a portion or all of the interest received from certain tax-exempt municipal securities could become taxable as a result of determinations by the Internal Revenue Service.

State Specific Risk: Because the Portfolio primarily purchases municipal bonds from New Jersey, the Portfolio is more susceptible to the economic, political and regulatory events that affect municipal bond issuers in that state.

Government Agency Risk: Direct obligations of the U.S. Government such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds are supported by its full faith and credit. Indirect obligations issued by Federal agencies and government-sponsored entities generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Accordingly, while U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Some of these indirect obligations may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.

Non-diversification Risk: The Portfolio is classified as non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer, and that a Portfolio’s performance will be dependent upon a smaller category of securities than a diversified portfolio. Accordingly, the Portfolio may experience greater fluctuations in net asset value and may have a greater risk of loss.

Call Risk: The Portfolios is subject to call risk. Call risk is the risk that changes in interest rates may cause certain municipal securities to be paid off much sooner or later than expected, which could adversely affect a Portfolio’s value.

Credit Risk: Fixed income securities are also subject to the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due.

Performance Information: The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolio has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for one, five and ten years compare to those of selected market indices. The Portfolio’s past performance, before and after-taxes, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.glenmede.com or by calling 1-800-442-8299.

 

New Jersey Muni Portfolio

 

LOGO

 

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During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 3.80% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2008) and the lowest quarterly return was -1.68% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2013).

After-tax returns for the Portfolio are calculated using the historical highest individual Federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Portfolio shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

     Past 1
Year
  Past 5
Years
  Past 10
Years
Return Before Taxes   (0.52)%   3.00%   2.97%
Return After Taxes on Distributions   (0.52)%   3.00%   2.96%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares   0.74%   2.89%   2.99%
Barclays Capital Municipal 1-10 Year Blend Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)   (2.59)%   3.72%   3.59%
Morningstar Muni Single-State Intermediate Average1   (2.82)%   4.55%   3.01%

 

1 

The Morningstar Muni Single-State Intermediate Average is provided so that investors may compare the performance of the Portfolio with the performance of a peer group of funds that Morningstar, Inc. considers similar to the Portfolio.

Investment Adviser: Glenmede Investment Management LP serves as investment advisor to the Portfolio.

Portfolio Manager: Mary Ann B. Wirts, Chief Administrative Officer and a Managing Director of the Advisor, has managed the Portfolio since September 6, 2011.

Tax Information: The Portfolio anticipates that substantially all of its income distributions will be “exempt interest dividends,” which are exempt from Federal income taxes. However, some distributions may be taxable, such as distributions that are derived from occasional taxable investments and distributions of short and long-term capital gains, or may be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax.

For important information about purchase and sale of the Portfolio’s shares and financial intermediary compensation, please refer to those section headings below.

Purchase and Sale of Portfolio Shares: There are no minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for the Portfolios. Glenmede Trust has informed the Funds that it and its Affiliates’ minimum initial investment requirements for their clients’ investments in the Portfolios is $1,000, which may be reduced or waived from time to time. Approved brokers and other institutions that purchase shares on behalf of their clients may have their own minimum initial and subsequent investment requirements. You may redeem shares at any time by contacting Glenmede Trust by telephone or facsimile or contacting the institution through which you purchased your shares.

Financial Intermediary Compensation: If you purchase shares of a Portfolio through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Portfolio shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS

Objective, Principal Strategies and Risks

To help you decide which Portfolio is appropriate for you, this section looks more closely at the Portfolios’ investment objectives, policies and risks. You should carefully consider your own investment goals, time horizon and risk tolerance before investing in a Portfolio.

The investment objectives of the Government Cash, Tax-Exempt Cash and Core Fixed Income Portfolios may be changed by the Board of Directors of The Glenmede Fund, Inc. (“Glenmede Fund”) without shareholder approval. The investment objectives of the Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios may be changed by the Board of Trustees of The Glenmede Portfolios (“Glenmede Portfolios” and collectively with the Glenmede Fund, the “Funds”) without shareholder approval. Unless indicated otherwise, the investment strategies of each Portfolio may be changed by the particular Board without shareholder approval.

Money Market Portfolios

Government Cash Portfolio

The Government Cash Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective to provide maximum current interest income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity, by investing, under normal market circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies, or other agencies or instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government, and entering into repurchase agreements secured by securities issued or sponsored by such entities. This is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by the Portfolio upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

The Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective to provide maximum current interest income exempt from Federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity, by investing primarily in short-term, high quality municipal obligations. Municipal obligations may include the following: project notes, demand notes, short-term municipal obligations (including tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, and short-term discount notes), tax-exempt commercial paper, municipal bonds, variable rate demand notes, and non-rated tax-exempt, privately placed securities. Under normal market circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal obligations that pay interest that is exempt from regular Federal income tax and Federal alternative minimum tax. This is a fundamental investment policy and cannot be changed without the approval of the Portfolio’s shareholders.

Each Money Market Portfolio may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Such investments may include maintaining uninvested cash. To the extent a Portfolio employs a temporary defensive investment strategy, it may not achieve its investment objective. A defensive position taken at the wrong time, would have an adverse impact on the Portfolio’s performance.

Investment Duration and Quality

Each Money Market Portfolio will invest in securities maturing within 13 months from the date of purchase. While this limitation also applies to each Money Market Portfolio’s investments in repurchase agreements, securities collateralizing those repurchase agreements may bear maturities exceeding 13 months. Each Money Market Portfolio may also purchase bonds with longer final maturities if, pursuant to a demand feature, they provide for redemption within 13 months from the date of purchase. Each Money Market Portfolio’s dollar-weighted average maturity is expected to be 60 days or less and its dollar-weighted average life to maturity is expected to be 120 days or less.

The Money Market Portfolios may invest only in securities which the Advisor believes present minimal credit risk at the time of purchase. Eligible securities are: (i) securities rated in the two highest rating categories of a nationally

 

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recognized statistical rating organization. If they are rated by more than one such rating agency, at least one other rating agency must rate them in one of its two highest categories; and (ii) unrated securities determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase.

Bond Portfolios

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective to provide maximum long-term total return consistent with reasonable risk to principal, by investing, under normal market circumstances, at least 80% of the value of the Portfolio’s net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in fixed income securities. This is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by the Portfolio upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

The Portfolio may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Such investments may include, for example, cash and short-term debt instruments which meet the Portfolio’s quality criteria. To the extent the Portfolio employs a temporary defensive investment strategy, it may not achieve its investment objective. A defensive position taken at the wrong time, would have an adverse impact on the Portfolio’s performance.

Muni Intermediate Portfolio and New Jersey Muni Portfolio (the “Muni Portfolios”)

The Muni Intermediate Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective by investing, under normal market circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in intermediate and long-term obligations of the states, territories and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities. This is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by the Portfolio upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

The New Jersey Muni Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective by investing, under normal market circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in intermediate and long-term tax-exempt obligations of the State of New Jersey and its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities, including regional governmental authorities. This is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by the Portfolio upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

Under normal market circumstances, the Muni Portfolios will invest at least 80% of the value of their net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in intermediate and long-term municipal obligations that pay interest that is exempt from regular Federal income tax, but may be subject to Federal alternative minimum tax. This is a fundamental investment policy and cannot be changed without the approval of a Portfolio’s shareholders.

Each Muni Portfolio may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Such investments may include, for example, cash, tax exempt money market funds and short-term instruments which meet the Portfolio’s credit criteria. To the extent a Portfolio employs a temporary defensive investment strategy, it may not achieve its investment objective. A defensive position taken at the wrong time, would have an adverse impact on the Portfolio’s performance.

Investment Duration and Quality

Each Bond Portfolio expects to maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of 3 to 10 years.

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio’s investments in privately issued mortgage-backed obligations, debt obligations of domestic and foreign companies, and any other publicly or privately placed U.S. Government Securities will be rated at the time of purchase at least A by S&P or Moody’s. The Portfolio’s investments in registered investment companies, including exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), can be rated investment grade (BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s). The Portfolio may invest in unrated securities if they are determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. If a portfolio security’s rating is reduced to below the above levels, the Advisor will dispose of the security in an orderly fashion as soon as practicable.

The Muni Portfolios will invest in securities that are rated at the time of purchase within the three highest ratings assigned by Moody’s (i.e., Aaa, Aa, A) or S&P (AAA, AA, A) in the case of bonds, or rated SP-1 or higher by S&P or

 

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MIG-2 or higher by Moody’s in the case of notes. Each Muni Portfolio may invest in unrated securities if they are determined to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase. If a portfolio security’s rating is reduced to below the above levels, the Advisor will dispose of the security in an orderly fashion as soon as practicable.

All Bond and Money Market Portfolios

Interest Rate Risks

Generally, a fixed-income security will increase in value when interest rates fall and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Longer-term securities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term securities, but they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks.

A Bond Portfolio’s dollar-weighted average maturity is a measure of how the Portfolio will react to interest rate changes. The stated maturity of a bond is the date the issuer must repay the bond’s entire principal value to an investor. A bond’s term to maturity is the number of years remaining to maturity. A Bond Portfolio does not have a stated maturity, but it does have a dollar-weighted average maturity. This is calculated by averaging the terms to maturity of bonds held by a Portfolio, with each maturity “weighted” according to the percentage of net assets it represents.

Credit Risks

The risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due is known as “credit risk.” Although U.S. Government Securities are generally considered to be among the safest type of investment in terms of credit risk, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. Government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, while obligations by others, such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”), are backed solely by the ability of the entity to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the entity’s own resources. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to U.S. Government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obliged to do so by law.

On September 7, 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (collectively the “GSEs”) were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to provide stability in the financial markets, mortgage availability and taxpayer protection by preserving the GSEs’ assets and property and putting them in a sound and solvent condition. Under the conservatorship, the management of the GSEs was replaced. The long-term effect that this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by the GSEs is unclear. More information about the conservatorship is in Appendix A to the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

Municipal obligations generally rank between U.S. Government Securities and corporate debt securities in terms of credit safety. Corporate debt securities, particularly those rated below investment grade, may present the highest credit risk.

Ratings published by rating agencies are widely accepted measures of credit risk. The lower a bond issue is rated by an agency, the more credit risk it is considered to represent. Lower-rated bonds generally pay higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risk.

Mortgage-Backed Obligations

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities (including collateralized mortgage obligations) that represent pools of mortgage loans assembled for sale to investors by various government-related organizations. These organizations include the Government National Mortgage Association (whose obligations are guaranteed by the U.S. Government), and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (whose obligations are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government). Please refer to the discussion under “Credit Risks” above about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Mortgage-backed securities provide a monthly payment consisting of interest and principal payments. Additional payments may be made out of unscheduled repayments of principal resulting from the sale of the underlying residential property, refinancing or foreclosure. When interest rates rise, the value of mortgage-backed securities may decline and prepayments may decrease. When interest rates are declining, prepayments of principal on mortgage-backed securities

 

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may tend to increase due to refinancing of mortgages. Any premium paid by the Portfolio on purchases of mortgage-backed securities may be lost if an underlying mortgage is prepaid. The yield of the Portfolio may be affected when it reinvests prepayments it receives.

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may purchase mortgage-backed securities in a “to be announced” (TBA) transaction, which is a form of “when issued” or “delayed settlement” security. No payment or delivery is made by the Portfolio in a “when issued,” “delayed settlement” or “forward delivery” transaction until the Portfolio receives payment or delivery from the other party to the transaction. Although the Portfolio receives no income from the above-described securities prior to delivery, the market value of such securities is still subject to change. Consequently, the value of such securities may be less than their purchase price, presenting a possible loss of asset value. These transactions also involve the risk that the counterparty may fail to deliver the securities or cash on the settlement date. The Portfolio expects that the commitments to purchase “when issued”, “delayed settlement” or “forward delivery” securities will not exceed 30% of the value of its total assets absent unusual market circumstances. The Portfolio does not intend to purchase securities on a “when issued,” “delayed settlement” or “forward delivery” basis for speculative purposes.

Debt Obligations

Debt obligations of domestic and foreign companies may include a broad range of fixed and variable rate bonds, debentures and notes. The Core Fixed Income Portfolio’s shares are subject to the risk of market value fluctuations. The market value of securities held by the Portfolio is expected to vary according to factors such as changes in interest rates and changes in the average weighted maturity of the Portfolio.

Municipal Revenue Obligations

The Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios may each invest 25% or more of its net assets in municipal obligations, which pay interest and principal from revenues of similar projects. The Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios may each also invest up to 20% of its total assets in taxable investments including private activity bonds. Such investments involve risks presented by the laws and economic conditions relating to such projects and bonds. These securities do not carry the general obligation of the issuer and are not backed by taxing power.

In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service has not ruled on whether the interest received on a municipal obligation is tax-exempt. The Portfolios and the Advisor rely on the opinion of bond counsel to the issuers at the time of issuance and will not review the bases for them.

The New Jersey Muni Portfolio invests primarily in New Jersey municipal obligations. If New Jersey or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities, including regional governmental authorities, were to suffer serious financial difficulties that might jeopardize the ability to pay their obligations, the value of the Portfolio could be adversely affected.

Repurchase Agreements

The Government Cash and Core Fixed Income Portfolios may enter into collateralized repurchase agreements with qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Advisor. Such agreements can be entered into for periods of one day or for a fixed term. Under normal circumstances, the Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios may each subject no more than 20% of its total assets to repurchase agreements.

In a repurchase agreement, a Portfolio purchases a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security at a future date to the seller (a qualified bank or securities dealer) at an agreed upon price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest (itself unrelated to the coupon rate or date of maturity of the purchased security). The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the securities which are subject to the agreement and held by a Portfolio at not less than the agreed upon repurchase price. If the seller defaults on its repurchase obligation, the Portfolio holding such obligation suffers a loss to the extent that the proceeds from a sale of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) is less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest) under the agreement. In the event that such a defaulting seller files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Portfolio might be delayed pending court action.

 

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Selection of Investments

The Advisor evaluates the rewards and risks presented by all securities purchased by a Portfolio and how they may advance the Portfolio’s investment objective. It is possible, however, that these evaluations will prove to be inaccurate.

Other Types of Investments

In addition to each Portfolio’s principal investment strategies, and the particular types of securities which each Portfolio may select for investment described above, each Portfolio may make other types of investments and pursue other investment strategies in support of its overall investment goal. Information about some of these investments and strategies is provided below. More information about these and other supplemental investment strategies and the risks involved are described in the SAI.

Investments in Other Investment Companies: To the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, each Portfolio may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including ETFs. If a Portfolio invests in shares of another registered investment company, shareholders would bear not only their proportionate share of the Portfolio’s expenses, but also management fees and other expenses paid by the other fund. Any investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional open-end fund that has the same investment objectives, strategies and policies. Additionally, the risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities that the ETF invests in or is designed to track, although the lack of liquidity of an ETF could result in it being more volatile. In addition, ETFs and closed-end funds do not necessarily trade at the net asset value of their underlying securities, which means that these funds could potentially trade above or below the value of their underlying portfolios and may result in a loss. Finally, because ETFs and closed-end funds trade like stocks on exchanges, they are subject to trading and commission costs.

Securities Lending: In order to generate additional income, each Portfolio may lend its securities to qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions. Such loans are required at all times to be continuously secured by collateral consisting of cash, securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies or letters of credit equal to at least the market value of the loaned securities. The cash collateral received may be invested in short-term investments in accordance with terms approved by the Funds’ Boards. The value of the securities loaned may not exceed one-third of the value of the total assets of the Portfolio (including the loan collateral). A Portfolio could experience a delay in recovering its securities or a possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return the securities when due.

Portfolio Holdings

A description of each Portfolio’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Portfolio’s securities is available in the SAI.

PRICE OF PORTFOLIO SHARES

The price of shares issued by each Portfolio is based on its net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV per share of each Money Market Portfolio is determined as of 12:00 noon (Eastern Time) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) is open for business (a “Business Day”). The NAV per share of the Core Fixed Income, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios is determined as of the close of regular trading hours of the Exchange on each Business Day, currently 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The time at which shares are priced may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). In addition, the Portfolios may determine to price their shares on weekdays that the Exchange is temporarily closed due to emergency circumstances.

Government Cash and Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios

For the purpose of calculating each Money Market Portfolio’s NAV per share, securities are valued at “amortized cost” as described in the SAI.

Bond Portfolios

Marketable fixed income securities generally are priced at market value and debt securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase generally are valued at “amortized cost.” When market quotations are not readily

 

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available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, each Bond Portfolio’s investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods determined by the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees. The Advisor and Custodian regularly test the accuracy of the fair value prices by comparing them with values that are available from other sources. At each regularly scheduled Board meeting, a report is submitted describing any security that has been fair valued and the basis for the fair value determination.

The following are examples of situations that may constitute significant events that could render a market quotation for a specific security “not readily available” and require fair valuation of such security: (i) the security’s trading has been halted or suspended; (ii) the security has been de-listed from a national exchange; (iii) the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it would be open; (iv) the security has not been traded for an extended period of time; (v) the security’s authorized pricing sources are not able or willing to provide a price; (vi) an independent price quote from two or more broker-dealers is not available; (vii) trading of the security is subject to local government-imposed restrictions; (viii) foreign security has reached a pre-determined range of trading set by a foreign exchange (“limit up” or “limit down” price), and no trading has taken place at the limit up price or limit down price; (ix) natural disasters, armed conflicts, and significant government actions; (x) significant events that relate to a single issuer or to an entire market sector, such as significant fluctuations in domestic or foreign markets or between the current and previous days’ closing levels of one or more benchmark indices approved by the Board; (xi) the security’s sales have been infrequent or a “thin” market in the security exists; and/or (xii) with regard to over-the-counter securities, the validity of quotations from broker-dealers appears questionable or the number of quotations indicates that there is a “thin” market in the security.

The frequency with which a Portfolio’s investments are valued using fair value pricing is primarily a function of the types of securities and other assets in which the Portfolio invests pursuant to its investment objective, strategies and limitations. Investments in other registered mutual funds, if any, are valued based on the NAV of those mutual funds (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

Valuing a Portfolio’s investments using fair value pricing will result in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market prices. Accordingly, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Portfolio’s net asset value and the prices used by other investment companies, investors and the Portfolio’s benchmark index to price the same investments.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

The Portfolios may appoint one or more entities as their agent to receive purchase and redemption orders of shares of the Portfolios and cause these orders to be transmitted, on an aggregated basis, to the Portfolios’ transfer agent. In these instances, orders are effected at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of that order by the entity, if the order is actually received by the transfer agent not later than the next business morning.

Purchase of Shares

Shares of each Portfolio are sold without a sales commission on a continuous basis to Glenmede Trust acting on behalf of clients or the clients of its Affiliates (“Clients”) and to certain approved employee benefit plans and institutions, including brokers acting on behalf of their clients (“Institutions”), at the NAV per share next determined after receipt, in proper order, of the purchase order by the transfer agent. We consider orders to be in “proper order” when all required documents are properly completed, signed and received. Beneficial ownership of shares will be reflected on books maintained by Glenmede Trust or the Institutions. If you wish to purchase shares in the Portfolios, you should contact Glenmede Trust by telephone or facsimile or contact your Institution.

Each Portfolio reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any purchase order, when in the judgment of management, such rejection is in the best interests of the Portfolio and its shareholders.

Your Institution may charge you for purchasing or selling shares of the Portfolios. There is no transaction charge for shares purchased directly from the Portfolios through Glenmede Trust.

Shares purchased in the Money Market Portfolios before 12:00 noon (Eastern Time) begin earning dividends on the same business day provided Federal funds are available to the particular Portfolio before 12:00 noon (Eastern Time) that day.

 

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Purchases of a Portfolio’s shares will be made in full and fractional shares calculated to three decimal places. In the interest of economy and convenience, certificates for shares will not be issued except upon your written request. Certificates for fractional shares, however, will not be issued.

Redemption of Shares

You may redeem shares of each Portfolio at any time, without cost, at the NAV per share next determined after the transfer agent receives your redemption order. Generally, a properly signed written order is all that is required. If you wish to redeem your shares, you should contact Glenmede Trust by telephone or facsimile or contact your Institution.

You will ordinarily be paid your redemption proceeds within one business day, but normally in no more than seven days, after the Funds’ transfer agent receives your order in proper form. The Funds may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment under any emergency circumstances as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the event of a determination by the Funds’ Boards pursuant to Rule 22e-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (i.e., that a deviation between a Portfolio’s amortized cost price per share and its current NAV per share using available market quotations may result in a material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders), the Portfolio may suspend redemptions and postpone payment of redemption proceeds in order to facilitate an orderly liquidation of the Portfolio.

Redemption proceeds are normally paid in cash, although the Funds have the right to limit each shareholder to cash redemptions of $250,000 or 1% of such Portfolio’s NAV, whichever is less, within a 90-day period. Any additional redemption proceeds would be made in readily marketable securities.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Portfolio Shares

Mutual fund market timing involves the frequent purchase and redemption of shares of mutual funds within short periods of time with the intention of capturing short-term profits resulting from market volatility. Market timing in a non-money market portfolio may disrupt portfolio management strategies; harm the performance of the portfolio; dilute the value of portfolio shares held by long-term shareholders; increase brokerage and administrative costs; and for a portfolio that invests to a significant extent in foreign securities, foster time-zone arbitrage.

The Funds do not knowingly accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares by shareholders. Pursuant to a policy adopted by each Board to discourage market timing of the Portfolio’s shares, each Fund has established the following procedures designed to discourage market timing of the non-money market Portfolios. Each Fund will enforce its policies and procedures to discourage market timing of the Portfolio’s shares equitably on all shareholders. There is no guarantee that the Funds will be able to identify individual shareholders who may be market timing the Portfolios or curtail their trading activity in every instance, particularly if they are investing through financial intermediaries.

Shares of the Portfolios may be sold through omnibus account arrangements with financial intermediaries. Omnibus account information generally does not identify the underlying investors’ trading activity on an individual basis. In an effort to identify and deter market timing in omnibus accounts, Glenmede Trust and the Advisor periodically review trading activity at the omnibus level and will seek to obtain underlying account trading activity information from the financial intermediaries when, in their judgment, the trading activity suggests possible market timing. Requested information relating to trading activity will be reviewed to identify accounts that may be engaged in excessive trading based on criteria established by Glenmede Trust or the Advisor, as applicable. If this information shows that an investor’s trading activity suggests market timing, Glenmede Trust or the Advisor, as applicable. will contact the financial intermediary and follow its procedures, including but not limited to, warnings, restricting the account from further trading and/or closing the account. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Portfolios using criteria that may differ from the criteria established by Glenmede Trust and the Advisor and there is no assurance that the procedures used by the financial intermediaries will be able to curtail excessive trading. If a third-party financial intermediary does not provide underlying account trading activity information upon request, Glenmede Trust or the Advisor, as applicable, will determine what action to take, including terminating the relationship with the financial intermediary.

 

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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Portfolios have the following dividend and capital gains policies:

(a) The Money Market Portfolios declare dividends daily and normally distribute substantially all of their net investment income to shareholders monthly.

(b) The Core Fixed Income, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios normally distribute substantially all of their net investment income to shareholders monthly.

The Portfolios normally distribute any realized net capital gains at least once a year.

Dividends and capital gains distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares at the option of the shareholder.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

The following is a summary of certain United States tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual United States citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding Federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation. Additional information about taxes is contained in the SAI.

Distributions

Each Portfolio contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any. Except as discussed below, you will be subject to Federal income tax on Portfolio distributions regardless whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Portfolio distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income.

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of a Portfolio will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Portfolio shares. The maximum long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 23.8% (which includes a 3.8% Medicare tax). You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

Distributions from a Portfolio will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by a Portfolio in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios (“Tax-Exempt Portfolio(s)”). Each Tax-Exempt Portfolio anticipates that substantially all of its income distributions will be “exempt interest dividends,” which are exempt from Federal income taxes. However, some distributions may be taxable, such as distributions that are derived from occasional taxable investments and distributions of short and long-term capital gains.

Interest on indebtedness you incur to purchase or carry shares of each Tax-Exempt Portfolio generally will not be deductible for Federal income tax purposes.

You should note that a portion of the exempt-interest dividends paid by the Tax-Exempt Portfolios may constitute an item of tax preference for purposes of determining Federal alternative minimum tax liability. Exempt-interest dividends will also be considered along with other adjusted gross income in determining whether any Social Security or railroad retirement payments received by you are subject to Federal income taxes.

Other Information. If you purchase shares of the Core Fixed Income Portfolio just before a distribution, or the Muni Intermediate Portfolio or New Jersey Muni Portfolio just before a distribution of long-term or short-term capital gain, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This adverse tax result is known as “buying into a dividend.”

 

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Sales or Redemptions

You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes on a sale or redemption of your shares of the Core Fixed Income, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios, based on the difference between your tax basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Portfolio shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them.

Certain special tax rules may apply to losses realized in some cases. Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. If you receive an exempt-interest dividend with respect to any share of the Muni Intermediate Portfolio or New Jersey Muni Portfolio and the share is held by you for six months or less, any loss on the sale or exchange of the share will be disallowed to the extent of that dividend amount. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of a Portfolio may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Portfolio within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of a Portfolio. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

For shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, the Bond Portfolios (or relevant broker or financial advisor) are required to compute and report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and furnish to Bond Portfolio shareholders cost basis information when such shares are sold or exchanged. The Bond Portfolios have elected to use the average cost method, unless you instruct the Fund to use a different IRS-accepted cost basis method, or choose to specifically identify your shares at the time of each sale or exchange. If your account is held by your broker or other financial advisor, they may select a different cost basis method. In these cases, please contact your broker or other financial advisor to obtain information with respect to the available methods and elections for your account. You should carefully review the cost basis information provided by the Bond Portfolios and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on your Federal and state income tax returns. Bond Portfolio shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the new cost basis reporting requirements apply to them.

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans

The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable unless it borrowed to acquire the shares.

Backup Withholding

Each Portfolio may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the IRS a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, who are subject to withholding by the IRS for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Portfolio that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current withholding rate is 28%.

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders

Generally, nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors are subject to 30% withholding tax on dividends paid by a U.S. corporation, although the rate may be reduced for an investor that is a qualified resident of a foreign country with an applicable tax treaty with the United States. In the case of regulated investment companies such as the Portfolios, however, certain categories of dividends are exempt from the 30% withholding tax. These generally include dividends attributable to the Portfolios’ net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) and, for taxable years of the Portfolios beginning before January 1, 2014, dividends attributable to the Portfolios’ interest income from U.S. obligors and dividends attributable to net short-term capital gains of the Portfolios.

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on the sale or redemption of shares in the Portfolios, except that a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a calendar year will be taxed on such gains and on capital gain dividends from the Portfolios.

 

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In contrast, if a foreign investor conducts a trade or business in the United States and the investment in a Portfolio is effectively connected with that trade or business, then the foreign investor’s income from the Portfolio will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates in a manner similar to the income of a U.S. citizen or resident.

Beginning July 1, 2014, the Portfolios will generally be required to withhold 30% tax on certain payments to foreign entities that do not meet specified information reporting requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in a Portfolio.

State and Local Taxes

You may also be subject to state and local taxes on distributions, sales and redemptions. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of a Portfolio’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities or interest on securities of the particular state or localities within the state in which you live. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

New Jersey Tax Considerations

It is anticipated that substantially all dividends paid by the New Jersey Muni Portfolio will not be subject to New Jersey personal income tax. In accordance with the provisions of New Jersey law, distributions paid by a “qualified investment fund” will not be subject to the New Jersey personal income tax to the extent that the distributions are attributable to income received as interest or gain from New Jersey municipal obligations, or as interest or gain from direct U.S. Government obligations. Distributions by a qualified investment fund that are attributable to most other sources will be subject to the New Jersey personal income tax. If the New Jersey Muni Portfolio qualifies as a qualified investment fund under New Jersey law, any gain on the redemption or sale of the Portfolio’s shares will not be subject to the New Jersey personal income tax. To be classified as a qualified investment fund, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s investment must consist of New Jersey municipal obligations or direct U.S. Government obligations; it must have no investments other than interest-bearing obligations, obligations issued at a discount, and cash and cash items (including receivables) and financial options, futures, forward contracts, or other similar financial instruments related to interest bearing obligations, obligations issued at a discount or related bond indices; and it must satisfy certain reporting obligations and provide certain information to its shareholders. Interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase New Jersey Muni Portfolio shares is not deductible from New Jersey personal income taxes. To the extent that a shareholder is subject to state or local taxes outside New Jersey, dividends earned by an investment in the New Jersey Muni Portfolio may represent taxable income in that other state or locality.

The New Jersey personal income tax is not applicable to corporations. For all corporations subject to the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax, dividend and distributions from a “qualified investment fund” are included in the net income tax base for purposes of computing the Corporation Business Tax. Furthermore, any gain upon the redemption or sale of New Jersey Muni Portfolio shares by a corporate shareholder is also included in the net income tax base for purposes of computing the Corporation Business Tax.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIOS

Investment Advisor

Glenmede Investment Management LP, with principal offices at One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as investment advisor to the Portfolios. The Advisor, a limited partnership, wholly-owned by Glenmede Trust, became the investment advisor to the Portfolios on January 1, 2007. From September 1, 2000 until January 1, 2007, investment advisory services were provided by Glenmede Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Glenmede Advisers, Inc. (“Glenmede Advisers”). On January 1, 2007, Glenmede Advisers and the Advisor merged, and the Advisor succeeded to Glenmede Advisers’ investment adviser registration, acquired all of Glenmede Advisers’ assets and liabilities and undertook all rights, obligations and responsibilities of Glenmede Advisers under the Portfolios’ Investment Advisory Agreements. As of January 1, 2014, the Advisor had over $7 billion in assets under management.

 

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Under its Investment Advisory Agreements with the Funds, the Advisor, subject to the control and supervision of the particular Fund’s Board and in conformance with the stated investment objective and policies of each Portfolio, manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Portfolio. It is the responsibility of the Advisor to make investment decisions for the Portfolios and to place each Portfolio’s purchase and sale orders.

The Advisor does not receive any fees from the Government Cash, Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios for its investment advisory services. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, the Core Fixed Income Portfolio paid a management fee to the Advisor for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.35% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Shareholders in the Portfolios who are clients of Glenmede Trust, or its Affiliates, pay fees which vary, depending on the capacity in which Glenmede Trust or its Affiliate provides fiduciary and investment services to the particular Client (e.g., personal trust, estate settlement, advisory and custodian services) (“Client Fees”). Glenmede Trust and its Affiliates currently intend to exclude the portion of their Clients’ assets invested in the Core Fixed Income Portfolio when calculating Client Fees. Shareholders in the Portfolios who are customers of other Institutions may pay fees to those Institutions.

A discussion regarding the Boards’ basis for approving the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements is available in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

The Advisor and/or Glenmede Trust may pay additional compensation from time to time, out of its assets, and not as an additional charge to the Portfolios, to selected Institutions that provide services to its customers who are beneficial owners of the Portfolios and other persons in connection with servicing and/or selling of Portfolio shares and other accounts managed by the Advisor or Glenmede Trust.

Mary Ann B. Wirts, Chief Administrative Officer and a Managing Director of the Advisor and Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of Glenmede Trust, is the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the management of the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio, which she has managed since November 1988. Mrs. Wirts is also the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the management of the Muni Intermediate Portfolio and New Jersey Muni Portfolio, which she has managed since September 6, 2011, and previously from October 2006 until May 2008. Mrs. Wirts has been employed by the Advisor and its predecessors since 1982.

Stephen J. Mahoney, Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, is primarily responsible for the management of the Core Fixed Income Portfolio, which he has managed since January 1999, and the Government Cash Portfolio, which he has managed since September 6, 2011. Mr. Mahoney has been employed by the Advisor and its predecessors as a portfolio manager since January 1999. Prior to his employment with Glenmede Trust in 1999, Mr. Mahoney had been a portfolio manager at 1838 Investment Advisors from 1997 to 1999, and a portfolio manager and senior fixed income trader at The Vanguard Group from 1995 to 1997.

The SAI provides additional information about Mrs. Wirts’ and Mr. Mahoney’s compensation, other accounts they manage, and their ownership of shares in the Portfolios they manage.

GENERAL INFORMATION

If you have any questions regarding the Portfolios, contact the Funds at the address or telephone number stated on the back cover page.

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Portfolio’s financial performance for the past 5 years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a Portfolio. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a given Portfolio (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Portfolios’ financial statements, is included in the Annual Report, which is available upon request.

Government Cash Portfolio

(For a share outstanding throughout each year)

 

      For The Years Ended October 31,  
     2013     2012     20111     20101     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

          

Net investment income

     0.000 2      0.000 2      0.000 2      0.001        0.007   

Net realized gain on investments

     0.000 2      0.000 2      0.000 2      0.000        0.000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.000 2      0.000 2      0.000 2      0.001        0.007   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.000 )2      (0.000 )2      (0.000 )2      (0.001     (0.007

Net realized capital gains

     (0.000     (0.000 )2                      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.000 )2      (0.000 )2      (0.000 )2      (0.001     (0.007
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     0.00     0.00     0.02     0.06     0.65
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to average net assets/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 758,056      $ 740,078      $ 730,284      $ 666,488      $ 695,380   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

     0.20     0.21     0.21     0.22     0.25

Ratio of operating expenses after waiver/reimbursement to average net assets

     0.14     0.17     0.17     0.22     0.00 %3 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     0.00 %3      0.00 %3      0.01     0.06     0.65

 

 

1 

Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average shares outstanding during the period.

2 

Amount rounds to less than $0.001 per share.

3 

Amount rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

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Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

(For a share outstanding throughout each year)

 

      For The Years Ended October 31,  
     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

          

Net investment income

     0.000 1      0.000 1      0.000 1      0.000 1      0.002   

Net realized gain on investments

     0.000        0.000        0.000        0.000        0.000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.000        0.000        0.000        0.000        0.002   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.000 )1      (0.000 )1      (0.000 )1      (0.000 )1      (0.002
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     0.00     0.00     0.01     0.02     0.17
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to average net assets/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 633,912      $ 679,426      $ 585,561      $ 550,883      $ 616,119   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

     0.20     0.22     0.21     0.22     0.25

Ratio of operating expenses after waiver/reimbursement to average net assets

     0.10     0.14     0.17     0.21     0.24

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     0.00 %2      0.00 %2      0.01     0.02     0.20

 

 

1 

Amount rounds to less than $0.001 per share.

2 

Amount rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

30


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Core Fixed Income Portfolio

(For a share outstanding throughout each year)

 

      For The Years Ended October 31,  
     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 11.75      $ 11.67      $ 11.67      $ 11.37      $ 10.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

          

Net investment income

     0.26        0.30        0.38        0.39        0.40   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (0.45     0.32        0.02 2      0.38        1.03   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     (0.19     0.62        0.40        0.77        1.43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.31     (0.34     (0.40     (0.40     (0.41

Net realized capital gains

     (0.03     (0.20            (0.07       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.34     (0.54     (0.40     (0.47     (0.41
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 11.22      $ 11.75      $ 11.67      $ 11.67      $ 11.37   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     (1.64 )%      5.51     3.52     7.01     13.96
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to average net assets/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 398,938      $ 480,499      $ 361,341      $ 396,884      $ 353,513   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

     0.56     0.57     0.57     0.57     0.57

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     2.29     2.61     3.26     3.40     3.67

Portfolio turnover rate

     19     22     68     31     55

 

 

1 

Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average shares outstanding during the period.

2 

The amount shown for a share outstanding does not correspond with the aggregate net realized and unrealized loss for the period due to the timing of purchases and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to the fluctuating net asset value per share of the Fund.

 

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Muni Intermediate Portfolio

(For a share outstanding throughout each year)

 

      For The Years Ended October 31,  
     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 11.20      $ 10.95      $ 10.96      $ 10.69      $ 10.05   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

          

Net investment income

     0.20        0.24        0.26        0.25        0.28   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (0.25     0.26        (0.01     0.26        0.65   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     (0.05     0.50        0.25        0.51        0.93   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.21     (0.24     (0.26     (0.24     (0.29

Net realized capital gains

     (0.00 )1      (0.01     (0.00 )1               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.21     (0.25     (0.26     (0.24     (0.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 10.94      $ 11.20      $ 10.95      $ 10.96      $ 10.69   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     (0.46 )%      4.60     2.37     4.85     9.40
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to average net assets/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 212,731      $ 231,491      $ 147,865      $ 145,109      $ 113,558   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

     0.25     0.26     0.27     0.28     0.31

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.85     2.19     2.42     2.27     2.62

Portfolio turnover rate

     68     10     10     20     32

 

 

1 

Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

 

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New Jersey Muni Portfolio

(For a share outstanding throughout each year)

 

      For The Years Ended October 31,  
     2013     20121     2011     2010     20091  

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 10.80      $ 10.63      $ 10.72      $ 10.44      $ 9.93   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

          

Net investment income

     0.20        0.22        0.25        0.25        0.29   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (0.19     0.19        (0.07     0.28        0.53   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.01        0.41        0.18        0.53        0.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.21     (0.22     (0.25     (0.25     (0.31

Net realized capital gains

            (0.02     (0.02              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.21     (0.24     (0.27     (0.25     (0.31
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 10.60      $ 10.80      $ 10.63      $ 10.72      $ 10.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     0.05     3.90     1.76     5.17     8.35
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to average net assets/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 50,874      $ 46,096      $ 33,957      $ 36,543      $ 31,877   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

     0.29     0.30     0.30     0.32     0.37

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.90     2.08     2.36     2.42     2.84

Portfolio turnover rate

     43     6     11     14     16

 

 

1 

Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average shares outstanding during the period.

 

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Where to find more information

More Portfolio information is available to you upon request and without charge:

Annual and Semi-Annual Report

The Annual and Semi-Annual Reports provide additional information about the Portfolios’ investments. The Annual Report also contains a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolios’ performance during the last fiscal year.

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

The SAI includes additional information about the Portfolios’ investment policies, organization and management. It is legally part of this prospectus (it is incorporated by reference).

You can get free copies of the Portfolios’ Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report or SAI by calling or writing to the address shown below. These documents are also available on Glenmede Trust’s website at www.glenmede.com. You may also request other information about the Portfolios, and make inquiries as follows:

Write to:

The Glenmede Fund/Portfolios

4 Copley Place, 5th Floor

CPH-0326

Boston, MA 02116

By phone:

1-800-442-8299

Information about the Portfolios (including the Portfolios’ SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Portfolios are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-1520.

The Glenmede Fund, Inc. Investment Company Act File No. is 811-05577

The Glenmede Portfolios Investment Company Act File No. is 811-06578

The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.


Table of Contents

THE GLENMEDE FUND, INC.

THE GLENMEDE PORTFOLIOS

(800) 442-8299

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

February 28, 2014

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with The Glenmede Fund, Inc.’s (“Glenmede Fund”) and The Glenmede Portfolios’ (“Glenmede Portfolios” and, collectively with the Glenmede Fund, the “Funds”) Prospectuses dated February 28, 2014, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectuses”). This SAI is for the Core Fixed Income Portfolio (GTCGX), Government Cash Portfolio (GTGXX), International Portfolio (GTCIX), International Secured Options Portfolio (NOVIX), Large Cap Core Portfolio (GTLOX), Large Cap Growth Portfolio (GTLLX), Large Cap Value Portfolio (GTMEX), Long/Short Portfolio (GTAPX), Muni Intermediate Portfolio (GTCMX), New Jersey Muni Portfolio (GTNJX), Philadelphia International Fund (GTIIX), Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund (Class I Shares (GTEMX) and Class IV Shares (GPEMX)), Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund (Class I Shares (GTISX) and Class IV Shares (GPISX)), Secured Options Portfolio (GTSOX), Small Cap Equity Portfolio (Advisor Shares (GTCSX) and Institutional Shares (GTSCX)), Strategic Equity Portfolio (GTCEX), Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio (GTCXX), Total Market Portfolio (GTTMX) and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio (GTGSX), (each, a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”). No investment in shares of a Portfolio should be made without first reading the Prospectus of the Portfolio. This SAI is incorporated by reference in its entirety into each Prospectus. The Funds’ audited financial statements and financial highlights appearing in the 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated by reference into this SAI. No other part of the Annual Report is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Funds’ Prospectuses and Annual Report are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at the above telephone number.

Capitalized terms used in this SAI and not otherwise defined have the same meanings given to them in the Funds’ Prospectuses.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

THE FUNDS

     3   

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

     4   

COMMON INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

     10   

PRICE OF PORTFOLIO SHARES

     25   

PURCHASE OF SHARES

     26   

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

     26   

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

     26   

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

     27   

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

     28   

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     35   

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     42   

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     51   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES

     53   

GENERAL INFORMATION

     59   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     65   

OTHER INFORMATION

     65   

APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND RATINGS

     A-1   

APPENDIX B – PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

     B-1   


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THE FUNDS

The Glenmede Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation on June 30, 1988. The Glenmede Fund’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorize its Board of Directors the (“Board”) to issue 3,500,000,000 shares of common stock, with a $.001 par value. The Board has the power to subdivide these shares into one or more investment portfolios from time to time. The Board also has the power to designate separate classes of shares within the same Portfolio. As of the date hereof, the Glenmede Fund is offering shares of the following seventeen Portfolios, Core Fixed Income Portfolio, Government Cash Portfolio, International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund (Class I Shares and Class IV Shares), Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund (Class I Shares and Class IV Shares), Secured Options Portfolio, Small Cap Equity Portfolio (Advisor Shares and Institutional Shares), Strategic Equity Portfolio, Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio.

The Glenmede Portfolios was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on March 3, 1992. The Glenmede Portfolios’ Master Trust Agreement authorizes its Board of Trustees (collectively with the Glenmede Fund’s Board of Directors, the “Boards”) to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with a $.001 par value. The Board has the power to subdivide these shares into one or more investment portfolios (“Sub-Trusts”). Currently, the Glenmede Portfolios is offering shares of two Sub-Trusts, the Muni Intermediate Portfolio and the New Jersey Muni Portfolio.

Each Fund is an open-end, management investment company. The Core Fixed Income Portfolio, Government Cash Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, International Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio, Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio are diversified Portfolios of the Glenmede Fund. The Muni Intermediate Portfolio is a diversified Portfolio of the Glenmede Portfolios and the New Jersey Muni Portfolio is a non-diversified Portfolio of the Glenmede Portfolios.

On February 27, 1997, the Model Equity Portfolio changed its name to the Large Cap Value Portfolio. On September 25, 1997, the Intermediate Government Portfolio changed its name to the Core Fixed Income Portfolio. On February 28, 2000, the Small Capitalization Equity Portfolio (Advisor and Institutional Shares) changed its name to the Small Capitalization Value Portfolio (Advisor and Institutional Shares), and then on March 22, 2002, it changed its name to the Small Cap Equity Portfolio. On August 20, 1998, the Equity Portfolio changed its name to the Tax Managed Equity Portfolio, and then on February 28, 2000, it changed its name to the Strategic Equity Portfolio. On February 27, 2005, the Small Capitalization Growth Portfolio changed its name to the U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio. On July 1, 2005, the Institutional International Portfolio changed its name to the Philadelphia International Fund. On September 18, 2007, the Absolute Return Portfolio changed its name to the Long/Short Portfolio and the Total Market Long/Short Portfolio changed its name to the Total Market Portfolio. On February 28, 2014, the Large Cap 100 Portfolio changed its name to the Large Cap Core Portfolio. References in this SAI are to a Portfolio’s current name.

On March 1, 1991 the Small Cap Equity Portfolio commenced operations offering a single class of shares. On January 1, 1998, the Small Cap Equity Portfolio began to offer a second class of shares known as “Institutional Shares.” The original class of shares has been designated as “Advisor Shares.”

On February 27, 2004 the Large Cap Core and Large Cap Growth Portfolios commenced operations, each offering a single class of shares.

On September 29, 2006 and December 21, 2006, the Long/Short Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio, respectively, commenced operations, each offering a single class of shares.

On June 30, 2010, the Secured Options Portfolio commenced operations, offering a single class of shares.

On May 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, respectively, commenced operations of Class IV Shares. No Class I Shares have been issued as of the date hereof.

On September 28, 2012, the International Secured Options Portfolio commenced operations, offering a single class of shares.

 

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INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The following investment strategies supplement those set forth in the Funds’ Prospectuses. Unless specified below and except as described under “Investment Limitations”, the following investment strategies are not fundamental and a particular Fund’s Board may change such strategies without shareholder approval.

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

The Portfolio may invest in the following securities: (i) straight-debt and mortgage-backed obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its sponsored agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities; (ii) securities of international institutions which are not direct obligations of the U.S. Government but which involve governmental agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities; (iii) any other publicly or privately placed, unrated securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities, which, in the opinion of the Portfolio’s advisor, are equivalent in credit quality to securities rated at the time of purchase at least A by Standard & Poor’s® Rating Group (“S&P®”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc (“Moodys”); (iv) mortgage-backed and asset-backed obligations which are privately issued with a rating at the time of purchase of at least A by S&P or Moody’s; (v) debt obligations of domestic and foreign companies rated at the time of purchase at least A by S&P or Moody’s; (vi) securities issued by other registered investment companies, including Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), that are rated at the time of purchase at least investment grade (at least BBB by S&P or Baa(3) by Moody’s); and (vii) taxable municipal bonds rated at the time of purchase at least A by S&P or Moody’s. If any of the above securities are unrated at the time of purchase, they will be in the advisor’s opinion, equivalent in credit quality to securities so rated. If a portfolio security’s rating is reduced to below the above levels, the advisor will dispose of the security in an orderly fashion as soon as practicable. Any of the above securities may be variable or floating rate. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest no more than 35% of the value of its total assets in the securities described in (ii) and (iv), no more than 50% of the value of its total assets in the securities described in (v), no more than 10% of the value of its total assets in the securities described in (vi), and less than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities described in (vii) of the first sentence of this paragraph. Debt obligations issued by companies or other entities that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities are considered by the Portfolio to be obligations of the guarantor and are not subject to this percentage limitation.

The Portfolio’s securities held subject to repurchase agreements may have stated maturities exceeding 13 months; however, the Portfolio’s advisor currently expects that repurchase agreements will mature in less than 13 months. Additionally, the Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements.

Asset-Backed Securities. The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may invest in asset-backed securities consisting of undivided fractional interests in pools of consumer loans or receivables held in a trust. Examples include certificates for automobile receivables and credit card receivables. Payments of principal and interest on the loans or receivables are passed through to certificate holders. Asset-backed securities are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, however, they may be guaranteed up to a certain amount by a private issuer through a letter of credit. Payment on asset-backed securities of private issuers is typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guaranty, or subordination. The extent of credit enhancement varies, but usually amounts to only a fraction of the asset-backed security’s par value until exhausted. Ultimately, asset-backed securities are dependent upon payment of the consumer loans or receivables by individuals, and the certificate holder frequently has no recourse to the entity that originated the loans or receivables.

An asset-backed security’s underlying assets may be prepaid with the result of shortening the certificate’s weighted average life. Prepayment rates vary widely and may be affected by changes in market interest rates. It is not possible to accurately predict the average life of a particular pool of loans or receivables. The proceeds of prepayments received by the Portfolio must be reinvested in securities whose yields reflect interest rates prevailing at the time. Thus, the Portfolio’s ability to maintain a portfolio which includes high-yielding asset-backed securities will be adversely affected to the extent reinvestments are in lower yielding securities. The actual maturity and realized yield will therefore vary based upon the prepayment experience of the underlying asset pool and prevailing interest rates at the time of prepayment. Asset-backed securities may be subject to greater risk of default during periods of economic downturn than other instruments. Also, while the secondary market for asset-backed securities is ordinarily quite liquid, in times of financial stress the secondary market may not be as liquid as the market for other types of securities, which could result in the Portfolio’s experiencing difficulty in valuing or liquidating such securities.

 

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Government Cash Portfolio

During normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies, or other agencies or instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government, and repurchase agreements secured by securities issued or sponsored by such entities.

The Portfolio may invest in the following Eligible Securities: (i) straight-debt and mortgage-backed obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its sponsored agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities; (ii) securities of international institutions (e.g., Asian Development Bank, Export-Import Bank, Inter American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Government Trust Certificates, Private Export Funding Corp. and Agency for International Development) which are not direct obligations of the U.S. Government but which involve governmental agencies, instrumentalities or enterprises (such investments will represent no more than 25% of the Portfolio’s total assets); and (iii) any publicly or privately placed, unrated securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities, including floating and variable rate securities, which, in the opinion of the Portfolio’s advisor, are equivalent in credit quality to securities rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody’s. Additionally, the Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements.

International Portfolio

The securities which the Portfolio may purchase include the following: common stocks of companies located outside the U.S.; shares of closed-end and open-end investment companies which invest chiefly in the shares of companies located outside the U.S. (such shares will be purchased by the Portfolio within the limits prescribed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); and U.S. or foreign securities convertible into foreign common stock.

The Portfolio intends to remain, for the most part, fully invested in equity securities of companies located outside of the United States. However, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 35% under normal circumstances) in the following fixed income and money market securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its guaranteed or sponsored agencies, including shares of open-end or closed-end investment companies which invest in such obligations (such shares will be purchased within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); short-term money market instruments issued in the U.S. or abroad, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in equivalent money market securities; and high quality fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars, any foreign currency, or a multi-national currency unit such as the European Currency Unit (“ECU”).

The Portfolio may also enter into forward currency exchange contracts only to hedge against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of investment securities; it may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.

International Secured Options Portfolio

The Portfolio is called International “Secured Options” because the call and put options it writes will be covered by owning the foreign security, index or ETF underlying the option, holding an offsetting option, segregating cash or other liquid assets at not less than the full value of the option or the exercise price, and/or using other permitted coverage methods described below.

The Portfolio will not engage in “market timing” transactions. However, for temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest a significant portion of its assets in cash, short-term instruments issued by U.S. or foreign issuers denominated in dollars, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements or in similar money market securities.

 

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Table of Contents

Large Cap Value Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio

From time to time, the Large Cap Core and Large Cap Growth Portfolios’ advisor may revise its equity computer model programs to try to maintain or enhance a Portfolio’s performance.

The Large Cap Value and Large Cap Core Portfolios intend to remain, for the most part, fully invested in equity securities which may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

The Large Cap Value, Large Cap Core and Large Cap Growth Portfolios will not engage in “market timing” transactions. However, for temporary defensive purposes each Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 20%) in short-term money market instruments issued by U.S. or foreign issuers, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in similar money market securities.

The Large Cap Value Portfolio may also purchase or write covered call and put options on appropriate securities or securities indices. Options can attempt to enhance return through price appreciation of the option, increase income, hedge to reduce overall portfolio risk, and/or hedge to reduce individual security risk. Additionally, the Portfolio may also enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it has purchased.

Long/Short Portfolio

The Portfolio will generally take long positions in equity securities identified as undervalued and take short positions in equity securities identified as overvalued.

From time to time, the Portfolio’s advisor may revise its equity computer programs to try to maintain or enhance the Portfolio’s performance.

The Portfolio will not engage in “market timing” transactions. However, for temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest a significant portion of its assets in cash, short-term instruments issued by U.S. or foreign issuers, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements or in similar money market securities.

In the course of pursuing its investment strategies, the Long/Short Portfolio may invest in derivative instruments. Derivatives may be used in a variety of ways to meet the objectives of the advisor. Options, futures contracts, forward contracts, and swaps are examples of derivative instruments in which the Long/Short Portfolio may invest.

Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios

The Portfolios’ investments in municipal obligations may also include tax-exempt commercial paper rated A-1 or higher by S&P or Prime-1 or higher by Moody’s.

For a description of the two principal classifications of municipal obligations, “general obligation” securities and “revenue” securities, see the “Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio” below.

During temporary defensive periods, each Portfolio may invest without limitation in obligations which are not municipal obligations and may hold without limitation uninvested cash reserves. Such securities may include, without limitation, bonds, notes, variable rate demand notes and commercial paper, provided such securities are rated within the relevant categories applicable to municipal obligations as set forth above and in the Portfolios’ prospectus under the heading “Bond Portfolios—Investment Duration and Quality”, or if unrated, are of comparable quality as determined by the Portfolio’s advisor. Additionally, each Portfolio may invest, without limitation, in other non-municipal debt obligations, such as bank obligations which are also of comparable quality as determined by the Portfolio’s advisor. Furthermore, each Portfolio may acquire “stand-by commitments” with respect to municipal obligations held by it. Under a stand-by commitment, a dealer agrees to purchase, at the Portfolio’s option, specified municipal obligations at a specified price. Each Portfolio will acquire stand-by commitments solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity and does not intend to exercise its rights thereunder for trading purposes.

 

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Philadelphia International Fund

The securities which the Portfolio may purchase include the following: common stocks of companies located outside the U.S.; shares of closed-end investment companies which invest chiefly in the shares of companies located outside the U.S. (such shares will be purchased by the Portfolio within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act); and U.S. or foreign securities convertible into foreign common stock.

The Portfolio intends to remain, for the most part, fully invested in equity securities of companies located outside of the United States. However, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 20% under normal circumstances) in the following fixed income and money market securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its guaranteed or sponsored agencies, including shares of open-end or closed-end investment companies which invest in such obligations (such shares will be purchased within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); short-term money market instruments issued in the U.S. or abroad, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in equivalent money market securities; and high quality fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars, any foreign currency, or a multi-national currency unit such as the ECU.

The Portfolio may also enter into forward currency exchange contracts only to hedge against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of investment securities; it may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.

Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in equity stocks of small cap companies located outside the U.S. These investments may include depositary receipts issued by a U.S. or foreign bank or trust company and participatory notes evidencing ownership of underlying stocks issued by a foreign company. The advisor considers small cap companies to include companies with market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, that are within the market capitalization range of any stock in the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. However, if warranted in the judgment of the Portfolio’s advisor, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 20% under normal circumstances) in preferred stocks and the following fixed income and money market securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its guaranteed or sponsored agencies, including shares of open-end or closed-end investment companies which invest in such obligations (such shares will be purchased within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); short-term money market instruments issued in the U.S. or abroad, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in equivalent money market securities; and high quality fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars, any foreign currency, or a multi-national currency unit such as the ECU.

The Portfolio may also enter into forward currency exchange contracts only to hedge against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of investment securities; it may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes. The Portfolio may also use derivatives such as swaps, options, futures, options on futures and participatory notes to manage risk inherent in its portfolio (e.g., cash flows and currency exposure).

Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in stocks of companies tied economically to emerging markets. These investments may include depositary receipts issued by a U.S. or foreign bank or trust company and participatory notes evidencing ownership of underlying stocks issued by a foreign company. Emerging markets include all markets that are not considered to be developed markets by the MSCI World Index. The securities which the Portfolio may purchase include the following: common stocks of companies located outside the U.S.; shares of closed-end investment companies which invest chiefly in the shares of companies located outside the U.S. (such shares will be purchased by the Portfolio within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act); and U.S. or foreign securities convertible into foreign common stock.

The Portfolio intends to remain, for the most part, fully invested in equity securities of companies located outside of the United States. However, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 20% under normal circumstances) in preferred stocks and the following fixed income and money market securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its guaranteed or sponsored agencies,

 

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including shares of open-end or closed-end investment companies which invest in such obligations (such shares will be purchased within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); short-term money market instruments issued in the U.S. or abroad, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in equivalent money market securities; and high quality fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars, any foreign currency, or a multi-national currency unit such as the ECU.

The Portfolio may also enter into forward currency exchange contracts only to hedge against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of investment securities; it may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes. The Portfolio may also use derivatives such as swaps, options, futures, options on futures and participatory notes to manage risk inherent in its portfolio (e.g., cash flows and currency exposure).

Secured Options Portfolio

The Portfolio is called “Secured Options” because the call and put options it writes will be covered by owning the security, index or ETF underlying the option, holding an offsetting option, segregating cash or other liquid assets at not less than the full value of the option or the exercise price, and/or using other permitted coverage methods described below.

The Portfolio will not engage in “market timing” transactions. However, for temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest a significant portion of its assets in cash, short-term instruments issued by U.S. or foreign issuers denominated in dollars, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements or in similar money market securities.

Small Cap Equity Portfolio

The Portfolio may invest in securities of companies located outside the United States.

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in equity securities of U.S. small cap companies that the Portfolio’s advisor believes are undervalued. Small cap companies include companies with market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, that are within the market capitalization range of any stock in the Russell 2000® Index. However, if warranted in the judgment of the Portfolio’s advisor, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 20% under normal circumstances) in preferred stocks and convertible debentures with a minimum rating of BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody’s, and the following fixed income and money market securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its guaranteed or sponsored agencies, including shares of open-end or closed-end investment companies which invest in such obligations (such shares will be purchased within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); short-term money market instruments issued in the U.S. or abroad, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in equivalent money market securities; and high quality fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars, any foreign currency, or a multi-national currency unit such as the ECU.

The Portfolio’s holdings will tend to be characterized by relatively low price-to-earnings ratios. There is no mandated income requirement for securities held by the Portfolio. The Portfolio generally will be more volatile and have a higher expected growth rate than the overall market. In certain periods, the Portfolio may fluctuate independently of broad, larger capitalization indices such as the S&P 500®.

 

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Strategic Equity Portfolio

The Portfolio expects to have a low portfolio turnover rate relative to other funds with similar investment objectives. It is impossible to predict the impact of such a strategy on the realization of gains and losses. Additionally, the Portfolio reserves the right to sell securities irrespective of how long they have been held.

The Portfolio may sell a particular security, even though it may realize a short-term capital gain, if the value of that security is believed to have reached its peak or is expected to decline before the Portfolio would have held it for the long-term holding period. The Portfolio may also be required to sell securities in order to generate cash to pay expenses or satisfy shareholder redemptions. Certain equity and other securities held by the Portfolio will produce ordinary taxable income on a regular basis.

The Portfolio intends to remain, for the most part, fully invested in equity securities, which may include securities of companies located outside the United States and ADRs listed on the NYSE, and will not engage in “market timing” transactions. However, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 20% under normal circumstances) in preferred stocks, convertible debentures, and the following fixed income and money market securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its guaranteed or sponsored agencies, including shares of open-end or closed-end investment companies which invest in such obligations (such shares will be purchased within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); short-term money market instruments issued in the U.S. or abroad, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in equivalent money market securities; and high quality fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars, any foreign currency, or a multi-national currency unit such as the ECU.

The Portfolio may also purchase or write call and put options on appropriate securities or securities indices. The aggregate value of the Portfolio’s assets subject to options written may not exceed 50% of its total assets (taken at market value on the date written) and the aggregate premiums on options purchased by the Portfolio will not exceed 50% of its total assets. Options can attempt to enhance return through price appreciation of the option, increase income, hedge to reduce overall portfolio risk, and/or hedge to reduce individual security risk. Additionally, the Portfolio may also enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it has purchased.

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

Municipal obligations in which the Portfolio may invest include the following Eligible Securities: project notes, demand notes, short-term municipal obligations (including tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, and short-term discount notes) rated SP-1+ or SP-1 by S&P or MIG-1 by Moody’s; tax-exempt commercial paper rated A-1+ or A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s; municipal bonds rated AA or better by S&P or Aa or better by Moody’s or A-1+ or A-1 by S&P; variable rate demand notes rated “VMIG-1” by Moody’s; and any non-rated tax-exempt, privately placed securities which, in the opinion of the Portfolio’s advisor, are equivalent in credit quality to an AA or Aa-rated security as determined by S&P or Moody’s, respectively.

The two principal classifications of municipal obligations are “general obligation” securities and “revenue” securities. General obligation securities are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue securities 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 or specific excise tax or other specific revenue source such as the user of the facility being financed. Revenue securities include private activity bonds which are not payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. Consequently, the credit quality of private activity bonds is usually directly related to the credit standing of the corporate user of the facility involved.

Municipal obligations may also include “moral obligation” bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its debt service obligations from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund, the restoration of which is a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality which created the issuer.

The municipal obligations in which the Portfolio invests may include variable rate demand notes. Such notes are frequently not rated by credit rating agencies, but unrated notes will be purchased by the Portfolio if they are comparable in quality at the time of the purchase to rated Eligible Securities as determined by the Portfolio’s advisor. Where necessary to ensure that a note is an Eligible Security, the Portfolio will require that the issuer’s obligation to pay the principal of the note be backed by an unconditional bank

 

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letter or line of credit, guarantee or commitment to lend. While there may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable rate demand note purchased by the Portfolio, the Portfolio may, upon the notice specified in the note, demand payment of the principal of the note at any time or during specified periods not exceeding 13 months, depending upon the instrument involved. The absence of such an active secondary market, however, could make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of a variable rate demand note if the issuer defaulted on its payment obligation or during the periods that the Portfolio is not entitled to exercise its demand rights. The Portfolio could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the default. The Portfolio invests in variable rate demand notes only when the Portfolio’s advisor deems the investment to involve minimal credit risk. The Portfolio’s advisor also monitors the continuing creditworthiness of issuers of such notes and parties providing credit enhancement to determine whether the Portfolio should continue to hold the notes.

Total Market Portfolio

The Portfolio will generally take long positions in equity securities identified as undervalued and take short positions in equity securities identified as overvalued.

From time to time, the Portfolio’s advisor may revise its equity computer model programs to try to maintain or enhance the Portfolio’s performance.

The Portfolio will not engage in “market timing” transactions. However, for temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest a significant portion of its assets in cash, short-term instruments issued by U.S. or foreign issuers, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements or in similar money market securities.

U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio

The Portfolio may invest in securities of companies located outside the United States and ADRs listed on the NYSE.

From time to time, the Portfolio’s advisor may revise its equity computer model programs to try to maintain or enhance a Portfolio’s performance.

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in equity securities of U.S. emerging growth companies. Emerging growth companies include companies with market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, that are within the market capitalization range of any stock in the Russell 2000® Index or the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. In addition, the Portfolio may make significant investments in IPOs. The U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio will not engage in “market timing” transactions. However, if warranted in the judgment of the Advisor, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets (up to 20% under normal circumstances) in the following fixed income and money market securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its guaranteed or sponsored agencies, including shares of open-end or closed-end investment companies which invest in such obligations (such shares will be purchased within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and would subject a shareholder of the Portfolio to expenses of the other investment company in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio); short-term money market instruments issued in the U.S. or abroad, denominated in dollars or any foreign currency, including short-term certificates of deposit (including variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or in equivalent money market securities; and high quality fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars, any foreign currency, or a multi-national currency unit such as the ECU.

COMMON INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

Borrowing

As a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, each Portfolio may borrow money from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of total assets. However, with the exception of the Total Market Portfolio and Long/Short Portfolio, none of the Portfolios will borrow money for speculative purposes. If the market value of a Portfolio’s securities should decline, the Portfolio may experience difficulty in repaying the borrowing.

 

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As required by the 1940 Act, a Portfolio must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If, at any time, the value of a Portfolio’s assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, a Portfolio, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of its borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations otherwise indicate that it would be disadvantageous to do so. Borrowing of securities in connection with short sales and derivative transactions such as options, futures and swaps are not subject to this limitation. The Portfolios are authorized to pledge portfolio securities to the lender as collateral in connection with any borrowings.

The Total Market Portfolio and Long/Short Portfolio may each borrow money from banks for investment purposes up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed). Borrowing for investment is known as leveraging. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Since substantially all of the Portfolio’s assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the net asset value per share (“NAV”) of the Portfolio will increase more when the Portfolio’s assets increase in value and decrease more when the Portfolio’s assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds. Unless profits on assets acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of borrowing, the use of borrowing will diminish the investment performance of the Portfolio. Under adverse conditions, the Portfolio may have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time investment considerations would not favor such sales. The Portfolio may lose money as a result of its borrowing activities.

Credit Risks

Because the Portfolios may invest in fixed-income securities, they are subject to “credit risk” — the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due. U.S. Government securities are generally considered to be the safest type of investment in terms of credit risk. Municipal obligations generally rank between U.S. Government securities and corporate debt securities in terms of credit safety. Corporate debt securities, particularly those rated below investment grade, may present the highest credit risk.

The Small Cap Equity and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolios may invest in securities which have the lowest rating in the investment grade category (i.e., Baa by Moody’s or BBB by S&P). Such securities are considered to have some speculative characteristics and are more sensitive to economic change than higher rated securities.

Ratings published by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations are widely accepted measures of credit risk. The lower a bond issue is rated by an agency, the more credit risk it is considered to represent. Lower-rated bonds generally pay higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risk.

Depositary Receipts

The Long/Short Portfolio, International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio, U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio and Secured Options Portfolio, may purchase certain sponsored or unsponsored depositary receipts. In sponsored programs, an issuer makes arrangements to have its securities traded in the form of depositary receipts. For purposes of a Portfolio’s investment policies, the Portfolio’s investments in depositary receipts will be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities. For example, a depositary receipt representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the creation of a sponsored program. Accordingly, there may be less information available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

The Long/Short Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, International Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio, U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio and Secured Options Portfolio, may invest in ADRs. The International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund may also invest in Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). Depositary Receipts are receipts, typically issued by a bank or trust company, which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. ADRs are depositary receipts issued in registered form by a U.S. bank or trust company

 

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evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign company. ADRs may be listed on a national securities exchange or may be traded in the over-the-counter market. ADR prices are denominated in U.S. dollars although the underlying securities are denominated in a foreign currency. GDRs are depositary receipts where the depository may be a foreign or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a foreign or a U.S. issuer. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world.

Generally, depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S. securities market and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. Investments in ADRs and GDRs, involve risks similar to those accompanying direct investments in foreign securities.

Derivative Instruments.

In the course of pursuing its investment strategies, the International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio and Strategic Equity Portfolio may invest in certain types of derivative instruments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values depend on the values of other investments, exchange rates or indices, in connection with its investment strategies to hedge and manage risk and to increase its return. Derivatives may be used in a variety of ways to meet the objectives of the advisor. These Portfolios may purchase or write call and put options on appropriate securities or securities indices. Futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures, and index, interest rate, total return and equity swaps are examples of derivative instruments in which the International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and Secured Options Portfolio may invest. The Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund may also invest in participatory notes. Futures, options and swaps are commonly used for traditional hedging and cash management purposes as a low-cost method of gaining exposure to a particular securities market without investing directly in those securities.

Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus a Portfolio’s losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities. Derivative transactions may include elements of leverage and, accordingly, the fluctuation of the value of the derivative transaction in relation to the underlying asset may be magnified. The price of derivatives can be very volatile and result in disproportionately heavy losses to a Portfolio relative to the amount invested if the advisor is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or credit events. A Portfolio’s use of derivatives involves risks that may be different from the risk associated with investing directly in the underlying assets, including the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying assets, interest rate or index. The return on a derivative security may increase or decrease, depending upon changes in the reference index or instrument to which it relates.

Derivatives are also subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default occurs, a Portfolio will have to rely on its contractual remedies (which may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws) pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.

The use of certain derivative instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the several options and futures exchanges upon which they may be traded, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). The Glenmede Fund 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 that Act with respect to such Portfolios as of the date thereof.

Exchange-Traded Funds

The Portfolios may invest in shares of registered open-end or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs. Some ETFs seek to track the performance of a particular market index, and are a type of index fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. These indices include not only broad-market indices but more narrowly-based indices as well, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, regions or industries. ETF and closed-end fund shares are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ National Market System. The Portfolios may purchase ETF shares as a way of gaining exposure to the segments of the equity or fixed-income markets represented by the ETF’s portfolio instead of buying those portfolio securities directly. ETF shares enjoy several advantages over futures. Depending on the market, the holding period, and other factors, ETF shares can be less costly than futures. In addition, ETF shares can be purchased for smaller sums and offer exposure to market sectors and

 

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styles for which there is no suitable or liquid futures contract. Because most ETFs are investment companies, the Portfolios’ purchase of ETF shares generally are subject to the percentage limitations and risks described below under “Investment Company Securities.

An investment in an ETF or a closed-end fund generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional open-end fund (i.e., one that is not exchange traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF or a closed-end fund can fluctuate within a wide range, and the Portfolios could lose money investing in such a fund if the prices of the stocks owned by it go down. In addition, ETFs and closed-end funds are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional open-end funds: (i) the market price of their shares may trade at a discount to their net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for their shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) trading of their shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

Fixed Income Securities

The Portfolios may invest in fixed-income securities. Fixed Income securities are subject to “credit risk” — the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due. U.S. Government securities are generally considered to be the safest type of investment in terms of credit risk. Municipal obligations generally rank between U.S. Government securities and corporate debt securities in terms of credit safety. Corporate debt securities, particularly those rated below investment grade, may present the highest credit risk.

Fixed Income securities are also subject to “interest rate risk.” Generally, a fixed-income security will increase in value when interest rates fall and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Longer-term securities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term securities, but they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks.

Ratings published by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations are widely accepted measures of credit risk. The lower a bond issue is rated by an agency, the more credit risk it is considered to represent. Lower-rated bonds generally pay higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risk.

Foreign Securities

The International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund invest in foreign securities. In addition, the International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio, Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio, and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio may invest in foreign securities either directly or through ADRs, and the International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund may invest in foreign securities through GDRs as well. Such investments may involve higher costs than investments in U.S. securities, including higher transaction costs and additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign investments may also present additional risks associated with currency exchange rates, differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, holding securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and depositories, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity, and political instability. Future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividends, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions, might adversely affect the payment of dividends or principal and interest on foreign obligations.

Foreign securities 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. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of a Portfolio are uninvested and no return is earned. The inability of a Portfolio to make intended security purchases due to these and other settlement problems could cause such Portfolio to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result in losses to a Portfolio due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the Portfolio has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Additionally, a Portfolio may encounter difficulties or be unable to pursue legal remedies and obtain judgments in foreign courts.

 

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Although the Portfolios are permitted to invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolios value their securities and other assets in U.S. dollars. As a result, the NAV of the Portfolios’ shares may fluctuate with U.S. dollar exchange rates as well as with price changes of a Portfolio’s securities in the various local markets and currencies. Thus, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to the currencies in which the Portfolios make their investments could reduce the effect of increases and magnify the effect of decreases in the prices of the Portfolios’ securities in their local markets. Conversely, a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar will have the opposite effect of magnifying the effect of increases and reducing the effect of decreases in the prices of the Portfolios’ securities in their local markets. In addition to favorable and unfavorable currency exchange rate developments, the Portfolios are subject to the possible imposition of exchange control regulations or freezes on convertibility of currency.

The International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund may invest in emerging market countries. The risks described above apply to an even greater extent to investments in emerging market countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid, and more volatile than the securities markets of the United States and developed foreign countries, and disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries are typically subject to a lower level of monitoring and regulation. Government enforcement of existing securities regulations is limited, and any such enforcement may be arbitrary and the results may be difficult to predict. In addition, reporting requirements of emerging countries with respect to the ownership of securities are more likely to be subject to interpretation or changes without prior notice to investors than more developed countries. Developing countries may impose restrictions on a Portfolio’s ability to repatriate investment income or capital. Even if there is no outright restriction on repatriation of investment income or capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operations of the Portfolio.

Economies of emerging market countries generally are heavily dependent on international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. Economies of emerging market countries also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. The economies of emerging market countries may be predominantly based on only a few industries or dependent on revenues from particular commodities. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on such countries’ economies and securities markets. Some of the currencies in emerging markets have experienced devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar, and major adjustments have been made periodically in certain of such currencies. Certain developing countries face serious exchange constraints.

Custodial services are often more expensive and other investment-related costs higher in emerging countries than in developed countries, which could reduce the Portfolios’ income from investments in securities or debt instruments of emerging country issuers.

Governments of some developing countries exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In some countries, the government owns or controls many companies, including the largest in the country. As such, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in developing countries in these regions, which could affect private sector companies, a Portfolio and the value of its securities. Furthermore, certain developing countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. Trading in debt obligations issued or guaranteed by such governments or their agencies and instrumentalities involves a high degree of risk.

Lastly, emerging market countries are more likely than developed countries to experience political uncertainty and instability, including the risk of war, terrorism, nationalization, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, or diplomatic developments that affect U.S. investments in these countries. No assurance can be given that adverse political changes will not cause the Portfolios to suffer a loss of any or all of its investments (or, in the case of fixed-income securities, interest) in emerging market countries.

 

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Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

The International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund may enter into forward foreign exchange contracts, but such contracts may not be used for speculative purposes. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves 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, 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. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. A foreign currency futures contract is a standardized contract for the future delivery of a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Foreign currency futures contracts traded in the United States are designed by and traded on exchanges regulated by the CFTC such as the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Portfolios would enter into foreign currency futures contracts solely for hedging or other appropriate investment purposes as permitted by regulations which permit principals of an investment company registered under the Commodity Exchange Act to engage in such transactions without registering or being regulated as commodity pool operators.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts allow a Portfolio to hedge the currency risk of portfolio securities denominated in a foreign currency. This method of protecting the value of a Portfolio’s investment securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange at a future date. Although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain which might result should the value of such currency increase. Additionally, investments in foreign currency exchange contracts involve other risks similar to those accompanying direct investments in foreign securities.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts differ from foreign currency futures contracts in certain respects. For example, the maturity date of a forward contract may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, rather than a predetermined date in any given month. Forward contracts may be in any amounts agreed upon by the parties rather than predetermined amounts. Also, forward foreign exchange contracts are traded directly between currency traders so that no intermediary is required. A forward contract generally requires no margin or other deposit.

At the maturity of a forward contract, a Portfolio 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.

Illiquid Securities

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio, International Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Muni Intermediate Portfolio, New Jersey Muni Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Small Cap Equity Portfolio and Strategic Equity Portfolio will not invest more than 10% of their respective net assets in securities that are illiquid. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio, U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund will not invest more than 15% of their respective net assets in securities that are illiquid. The Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio and the Government Cash Portfolio will not invest more than 5% of their respective total assets in securities that are illiquid. These securities are subject to the risk that should a Portfolio need to dispose of such securities, there may not be a ready market or the Portfolio may have to sell such securities at an undesirable price. Illiquid securities include securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days at approximately the price at which they are being carried on the Funds’ books (including repurchase agreements in excess of seven days).

Indexed Securities.

An indexed security is an instrument whose price is indexed to the price of another security, security index, currency, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.

 

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The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer’s creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government agencies.

Initial Public Offerings

An initial public offering (“IPO”) is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. The U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio may make significant investments in IPOs. The International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio and Secured Option Portfolio also may invest in IPOs.

An IPO presents the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk.

When a Portfolio’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Portfolio’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Portfolio. As the Portfolio’s assets grow, the effect of the Portfolio’s investments in IPOs on the Portfolio’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Portfolio’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, a Portfolio may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the portfolio turnover and may lead to increased expenses to the Portfolio, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling IPO shares, the Portfolio may realize taxable gains it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. In addition, the market for IPO shares can be speculative and/or inactive for extended periods of time. There is no assurance that the Portfolio will be able to obtain allocable portions of IPO shares. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may make it more difficult for the Portfolio to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Investors in IPO shares can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders.

A Portfolio’s investments in IPO shares may include the securities of “unseasoned” companies (companies with less than three years of continuous operations), which present risks considerably greater than common stocks of more established companies. These companies may have limited operating histories and their prospects for profitability may be uncertain. These companies may be involved in new and evolving businesses and may be vulnerable to competition and changes in technology, markets and economic conditions. They may be more dependent on key managers and third parties and may have limited product lines.

Interest Rate Risks

The Portfolios may invest in fixed-income securities. Generally, a fixed-income security will increase in value when interest rates fall and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Longer-term securities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term securities, but they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks.

Investment Company Securities

Each Portfolio may invest in securities issued by other open-end or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs. Each Portfolio may invest in securities issued by such other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, each Portfolio’s investment in such securities currently is limited to, subject to certain exceptions: (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company; (ii) 5% of the Portfolio’s total assets with respect to any one investment company; and (iii) 10% of the Portfolio’s total assets with respect to investment companies in the aggregate. Investments in the securities of other investment companies will involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act permits a Portfolio to invest an unlimited amount of its uninvested cash in a money market fund so long as, among other things, said investment is consistent with the Portfolio’s investment objective. As a shareholder of another investment company, a Portfolio would bear its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s advisory fees and other expenses, in addition to the expenses the Portfolio bears directly in connection with its own operations. Furthermore, the investment company securities in which a Portfolio invests may decline in value. Pursuant to orders issued by the SEC to certain exchange-traded funds and procedures approved by the Board, certain Portfolios may invest in certain exchange-traded funds in excess of the limits described above, provided that the Fund complies with certain conditions of the SEC orders and any other applicable investment limitations.

 

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Each Portfolio’s shares may be purchased by other investment companies, including other Portfolios of the Funds. An investment company’s shares purchased by a Portfolio would be limited to 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the acquired investment company. For so long as a Portfolio invests in or accepts investments by other affiliated investment companies, it will not purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or under the terms of an exemptive order granted by the SEC.

Options

Purchasing Put and Call Options. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio and Strategic Equity Portfolio may purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest and on securities indices. An option is a contract giving its owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) a specified instrument at a fixed price during a specified period. Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific securities and indices of securities prices. Futures contracts may underlay options written by the International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund.

By purchasing a put option, the purchaser obtains the right to sell the option’s underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the purchaser pays the current market price (premium) for the option. The purchaser may terminate its position in a put option by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. If the option is allowed to expire, the purchaser will lose the entire premium. If the option is exercised, the purchaser completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. A purchaser may also terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.

A Portfolio will normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities or index. A Portfolio will ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying instrument decreases below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Portfolio will realize either no gain or will suffer a loss on the premium paid for the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of put options will tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.

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 underlying instrument at the option’s strike price. A Portfolio normally purchases call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of the underlying instrument. A Portfolio will ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeds the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Portfolio will realize either no gain or will suffer a loss on the premium paid for the call option.

Writing Put and Call Options. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio and Strategic Equity Portfolio may write covered put and call options on any securities in which it may invest and on securities indices. The writer (seller) of a put or call option takes the opposite side of the transaction from the option’s purchaser. In return for receipt of the premium, the writer of a put option assumes the obligation to pay the strike price for or purchase the option’s underlying instrument if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. The writer may seek to terminate a position in a put option before exercise by closing out the option in the secondary market at its current price. If the secondary market is not liquid for a put option, however, the writer must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes.

If security prices rise, 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 the underlying instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the option should mitigate the effects of the decline.

Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the option’s underlying instrument, 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 mitigates the effects 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. At the same time, the seller retains the risk of loss from a decline in the value of the underlying security during the option period. Although the seller may terminate its obligation by executing a closing purchase transaction, the cost of effecting such a transaction may be

 

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greater than the premium received upon its sale, resulting in a loss to the seller. If such an option expires unexercised, the seller realizes a gain equal to the premium received. Such a gain may be offset or exceeded by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If an option is exercised, the exercise price, the premium received and the change in the market value of the underlying security during the option period determine the gain or loss realized by the seller.

Covering Call Options. All call options written (sold) by a Portfolio will be “covered” pursuant to SEC and its staff’s requirements. The SEC staff has indicated that a written call option on a security may be covered if a mutual fund: (1) owns the security underlying the call until the option is exercised or expires; (2) holds a call on the same security as the call written with an exercise price (a) no greater than the exercise price of the call written or (b) greater than the exercise price of the call written if the Portfolio segregates cash or other liquid assets equal to the difference; (3) has an absolute and immediate right to acquire the security without additional cost (or if additional consideration is required, cash or other liquid assets in such amount have been segregated); or (4) segregates cash or other liquid assets in an amount equal to (when added to any margin on deposit) the current market value of the call option, but not less than the exercise price, marked to market daily. If the call option is exercised by the purchaser during the option period, the seller is required to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price or pay the difference. The seller’s obligation terminates upon expiration of the option period or when the seller executes a closing purchase transaction with respect to such option.

Covering Put Options. All put options written by a Portfolio will be covered by: (1) segregating cash, cash equivalents, such as U.S. Treasury securities or overnight repurchase agreements, or other liquid assets having a value at least equal to exercise price of the option (less cash received, if any); or (2) holding a put option on the same security as the option written where the exercise price of the put option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the put option written or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put option written provided the Portfolio segregates cash or other liquid assets in the amount of the difference.

Options on Securities Indices. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio and Strategic Equity Portfolio may write (sell) and buy options on securities indices. An option on a securities index is generally similar to an option on an individual stock, but an option on a securities index is settled only in cash. The exercising holder of an index option, instead of receiving a security, receives the difference between the closing price of the securities index and the exercise price of the index option times a specified multiple ($100 in the case of the S&P 500 Index). The seller of index options may realize a gain or loss according to movement in the level of securities prices in that index and in the securities markets generally. The Portfolio will purchase and sell put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it will purchase and sell options on individual securities.

A Portfolio can execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to the option it has sold and sells another option (with either a different exercise price or expiration date or both). The cost of a closing transaction, while reducing the premium income realized from the sale of the option, should be offset, at least in part, by appreciation in the value of the underlying index (to the extent movements in the Portfolio’s securities portfolio are positively correlated with the value of the index underlying the option), and by the opportunity to realize additional premium income from selling a new option.

When a Portfolio sells an index call option, it does not deliver the underlying stocks or cash to the broker through whom the transaction is effected. In the case of an exchange-traded option, the Portfolio establishes an escrow account. The Fund’s Custodian (or a securities depository acting for the Custodian) acts as the Fund’s escrow agent. The escrow agent enters into documents known as escrow receipts with respect to the stocks included in the Fund (or escrow receipts with respect to other acceptable securities). The escrow agent releases the stocks from the escrow account when the call option expires or the Portfolio enters into a closing purchase transaction. Until such release, the underlying stocks cannot be sold by the Portfolio. The Portfolio may enter into similar collateral arrangements with the counterparty when it sells over the counter index call options.

The purchaser of an index call option sold by a Portfolio may exercise the option at a price fixed as of the closing level of the index on the date of exercise. Unless the Portfolio has liquid assets sufficient to satisfy the exercise of the index call option, the Portfolio would be required to liquidate portfolio securities to satisfy the exercise. The market value of such securities may decline between the time the option is exercised and the time the Portfolio is able to sell the securities. If the Portfolio fails to anticipate an exercise, it may have to borrow from a bank pending settlement of the sale of the portfolio securities and thereby incurring interest charges. If trading is interrupted on the index option markets, the Portfolio would not be able to close out its option positions.

 

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When a Portfolio sells a call option on a securities index, it is also required to “cover” the option. A Portfolio may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration which has been segregated by the Portfolio) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its portfolio. Covered calls on a stock index may be covered by holding stock index ETFs instead of individual stocks that replicate the movement of the index. A Portfolio may also cover written call and put options on a securities index by segregating cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, with a value, when added to any margin on deposit, that is equal to the current market value of the underlying securities, but not (i) less than the exercise price in the case of a call option, or (ii) equal to or higher than the exercise price in the case of a put option, or by owning offsetting options as described above.

Each Portfolio reserves the right to modify its coverage policies in the future to comply with any changes in positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff.

Combined Positions. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio and Strategic Equity Portfolio may use combined positions. A combined position involves purchasing and writing options in combination with each other, or, in the case of the International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, in combination with futures or forward contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a call option on the same underlying instrument would 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, 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. The written option component of the combined positions will be covered by segregating sufficient liquid assets in accordance with SEC staff articulated guidelines.

Over-the-Counter Options. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio and Strategic Equity Portfolio may use combined over-the-counter options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of over-the-counter (“OTC”) options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally are less liquid and involve greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded. In addition, OTC options are not subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange-traded options, and many of the protections afforded to participants in a regulated environment may not be available in connection with the OTC transactions.

Swaps. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and Secured Options Portfolio may enter into swaps, including security-based swaps (collectively, “swaps), for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to pay or exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular assets, which may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends paid on the referenced assets or other factors. The gross returns to be paid or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” for example, the increase or decrease in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the assets. The agreement can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. For example, index swaps involve the exchange by a party with another party of the respective amounts payable with respect to the notional principal amount at interest rates equal to specified indices; interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a party with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments; and equity swaps are generally contracts that obligate one party to pay the positive return and the other party to pay the negative return on a specific security or basket of securities.

Under a swap, payments may be made at the conclusion of the swap or periodically during its term. Normally, however, the advisor may terminate a swap contract prior to its term, subject to any potential termination fee that is in addition to a Portfolio’s accrued obligation under the swap.

As an investment company registered with the SEC, a Portfolio must segregate liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff- approved measures to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivatives instruments. In the case of swaps that are not contractually required to cash settle, for example, a Portfolio must set aside cash or other liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the swaps while the positions are open. With respect to swaps that are contractually required to cash settle, however, a Portfolio is

 

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permitted to set aside cash or other liquid assets in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., the Portfolio’s daily net liability) under the swaps, if any, rather than their full notional value. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled swaps, the Portfolio will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Portfolio were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the swaps.

A Portfolio will generally enter into swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap contract or periodically during its term. Since swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets, the risk of loss with respect to swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that the Portfolio is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Portfolio’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Portfolio is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover the Portfolio’s exposure, the Portfolio and its advisor believe that transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the Portfolio’s borrowing restrictions.

Futures Contracts. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and Secured Options Portfolio may purchase futures contracts. In purchasing a futures contract, the buyer agrees to purchase a specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. In selling a futures contract, the seller agrees to sell a specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer and seller enter into the contract. Some currently available futures contracts are based on specific securities and some are based on indices of securities prices. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a liquid secondary market is available.

The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of its underlying instrument. Therefore, purchasing futures contracts will tend to increase the purchaser’s exposure to positive and negative price fluctuations in the underlying instrument, much as if it had purchased the underlying instrument directly. When selling a futures contract, by contrast, the value of the futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to the market. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the underlying instrument had been sold. However, there is a risk that the price behavior of the futures contract may not correlate with that of the instrument being hedged.

Options on Futures Contracts. The International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and Secured Options Portfolio may transact in options on futures contracts. An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. The potential for loss related to writing options is unlimited.

Risks of Futures Contracts. While the International Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and Secured Options Portfolio may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in securities prices may result in poorer overall performance than if a Portfolio had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Portfolio may be exposed to additional risk of loss. The loss incurred by a Portfolio in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. In addition, futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Portfolio’s net asset value. As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Portfolio.

In addition, there is no assurance a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular options or futures contract at any particular time. Options may have relatively low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close to the underlying instrument’s current price. In addition, exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options and futures contracts, and may halt trading if a contract’s price moves upward or downward 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 to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the secondary market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt

 

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liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require the Portfolio to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, the Portfolio’s access to other assets held to cover its options or futures positions could also be impaired.

Each Portfolio must segregate cash or other liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures to ‘‘cover’’ open positions with respect to its transactions in futures contracts. In the case of futures contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, for example, the Portfolio must set aside cash or other liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Portfolio is permitted to set aside cash or other liquid assets in an amount equal to the Portfolio’s daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e. the Portfolio’s daily net liability) under the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional value. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures contracts, a Portfolio will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Portfolio were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures contracts.

Each Portfolio reserve the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff.

Participatory Notes

Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund may invest participatory notes (commonly known as “P-notes”, but may be called different names by issuers). In a typical transaction, the Portfolio would buy a P-note from a bank or broker-dealer (“counterparty”) that would entitle the Portfolio to a return measured by the change in value of an identified underlying security. The purchase price of the P-note is based on the market price of the underlying security at the time of purchase converted into U.S. dollars, plus transaction costs. The counterparty may, but is not required to, purchase the shares of the underlying security to hedge its obligation. When the P-note expires or the Portfolio exercises the P-note and closes its position, the Portfolio receives a payment that is based upon the then-current value of the underlying security converted into U.S. dollars (less transaction costs).

The price, performance and liquidity of the P-note are all linked directly to the underlying security. The Portfolio’s ability to redeem or exercise a P-note generally is dependent on the liquidity in the local trading market for the security underlying the P-note. P-notes are typically privately placed securities that have not been registered for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, P-notes are eligible for purchase or sale to certain qualified institutional buyers.

There are risks associated with P-notes. When the Portfolio invests in a P-note, it bears the full counterparty risk with respect to the issuing counterparty. Counterparty risk is the risk that the issuing counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligation to timely pay the Portfolio the amount owed under the P-note. A P-note is a general unsecured contractual obligation of the issuing counterparty. The Portfolio has no rights under a P-note against the issuer of the securities underlying the P-note and so is dependent on the creditworthiness of the counterparty. The Portfolio attempts to mitigate that risk by purchasing only from issuers with investment grade credit ratings. P-notes also may have a longer settlement period than the underlying shares and during that time the Portfolio’s assets could not be deployed elsewhere. The issuers of P-notes may be deemed to be brokers, dealers or engaged in the business of underwriting as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Portfolio’s investment in P-notes issued by a particular institution may be limited by certain investment restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.

For purposes of a Portfolio’s investment policies, the Portfolio looks through the P-note to the issuer of the underlying security. Thus, a P-note representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.

Repurchase Agreements

Each Portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements with qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions deemed creditworthy by its advisor. Under normal circumstances, however, the Long/Short Portfolio, International Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Muni Intermediate Portfolio, New Jersey Muni Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio will not enter into repurchase agreements if entering into such agreements would cause, at the time of entering into such agreements, more than 20% of the value of the total assets of the particular Portfolio to be subject to repurchase agreements. The International Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund will generally enter into repurchase transactions to invest cash reserves and for temporary defensive purposes.

 

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In effect, by entering into a repurchase agreement, a Portfolio is lending its funds to the seller at the agreed upon interest rate, and receiving a security as collateral for the loan. Such agreements can be entered into for periods of one day (overnight repo) or for a fixed term (term repo). Repurchase agreements are a common way to earn interest income on short-term funds.

In a repurchase agreement, a Portfolio purchases a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security at a future date to the seller (a qualified bank or securities dealer) at an agreed upon price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest (itself unrelated to the coupon rate or date of maturity of the purchased security). The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the securities which are subject to the agreement and held by a Portfolio at not less than the agreed upon repurchase price.

If the seller defaults on its repurchase obligation, a Portfolio holding such obligation will suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from a sale of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) were less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest) under the agreement. In the event that such a defaulting seller files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, disposition of such securities by a Portfolio might be delayed pending court action.

Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment to a Portfolio within seven days after notice without taking a reduced price are considered illiquid securities.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Long/Short Portfolio, Government Cash Portfolio, Core Fixed Income Portfolio, International Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund and Total Market Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement the Portfolio sells a security and simultaneously commits to repurchase that security at a future date from the buyer. In effect, the Portfolio is temporarily borrowing funds at an agreed upon interest rate from the purchaser of the security, and the sale of the security represents collateral for the loan. The Portfolio retains record ownership of the security and the right to receive interest and principal payments on the security. At an agreed upon future date, the Portfolio repurchases the security by remitting the proceeds previously received, plus interest. In certain types of agreements, there is no agreed upon repurchase date and interest payments are calculated daily, often based on the prevailing overnight repurchase rate. These agreements, which are treated as if reestablished each day, are expected to provide the Portfolio with a flexible borrowing tool. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio under the 1940 Act.

A Portfolio’s investment of the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement is the speculative factor known as leverage. The Portfolio may enter into a reverse repurchase agreement only if the interest income from investment of the proceeds is greater than the interest expense of the transaction and the proceeds are invested for a period no longer than the term of the agreement. The Portfolio will maintain liquid securities at least equal to its purchase obligations under these agreements. The Portfolio’s advisor will consider the creditworthiness of the other party in determining whether a Portfolio will enter into a reverse repurchase agreement.

A Portfolio is permitted to invest up to one-third of its total assets in reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions. Reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions will be aggregated for purposes of this investment limitation.

The use of reverse repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, the securities acquired by a Portfolio with the proceeds of such an agreement may decline in value, although the Portfolio is obligated to repay the proceeds. In addition, the market value of the securities sold by a Portfolio may decline below the repurchase price, to which the Portfolio remains committed.

 

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Securities Lending

Each Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities with a value of up to one-third of its total assets (including the value of the collateral for the loans) to qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions who need to borrow securities in order to complete certain transactions, such as covering short sales, avoiding failures to deliver securities or completing arbitrage operations. By lending its investment securities, a Portfolio attempts to increase its income through the receipt of interest on the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Portfolio. A Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities only when the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder. All relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the broker, dealer or institution, will be considered by the Portfolio’s advisor in making decisions with respect to the lending of securities, subject to review by the particular Fund’s Board.

When lending portfolio securities, the securities may not be available to a Portfolio on a timely basis. Therefore, a Portfolio may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. Such loans would also involve risks of delay in receiving additional collateral if the value of the collateral decreases below the value of the securities loaned or even the loss of rights to the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. Additionally, if a borrower of securities files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, disposition of the securities may be delayed pending court action. A Portfolio may also record realized gain or loss on securities deemed sold due to a borrower’s inability to return securities on loan. A Portfolio may, from time to time, pay negotiated fees in connection with the lending of securities. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) serves as the Funds’ securities lending agent. For these services, the lending agent receives a fee based on the income earned on a Portfolio’s investment of cash received as collateral for the loaned securities, a portion of any loan premium paid by the borrower, and reimbursement of expenses advanced as a result of a Portfolio’s securities lending activities, if any.

The lending agent may, on behalf of the Portfolios, invest the cash collateral received in short-term money market instruments, including commercial paper, money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, time deposits and other short-term bank obligations, securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and other highly rated liquid investments. These investments may include mutual funds, with respect to which State Street and/or its affiliates provide investment management or advisory, trust, custody, transfer agency, shareholder servicing and/or other services for which they are compensated. On behalf of the Long/Short Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio, some or all of the cash collateral may be used to finance short sales.

Short Sales

The Long/Short Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio will engage in short sales. A security is sold short when a Portfolio sells a security it does not own. To sell a security short, a Portfolio must borrow the security to deliver it to the buyer. The Portfolio is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at, or before, the time of replacement. This price may or may not be less than the price at which the security was sold by the Portfolio. Until the security is replaced, the Portfolio is required to pay the lender any dividends or interest which accrue during the period of the loan. Depending on the arrangement with the lender, in order to borrow the security, the Portfolio may be required to pledge all or a significant portion of its securities and other assets, including cash collateral from securities lending activities, to the lender and may also have to pay a fee which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale may be retained by the lender until the short position is closed out or the proceeds may be released to the Portfolio and used to purchase additional securities or for any other purpose.

The Long/Short Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Portfolios replace the borrowed security. Each Portfolio will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those two dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased and the amount of any loss will be increased by any interest, premium and transaction charges or other costs the Portfolio may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Whether each Portfolio will be successful in utilizing a short sale will depend, in part, on the Advisor’s ability to correctly predict whether the price of a security it borrows to sell short will decrease.

The use of short sales is a primary investment of the Long/Short and Total Market Portfolios. Each Portfolio is required to segregate cash, cash equivalents or other appropriate liquid marketable securities in at least an amount equal to the current market value of the securities sold short (less any additional collateral pledged to the lender) and the amount of securities lending cash collateral used to finance short sales until the Portfolio replaces a borrowed security. Depending on arrangements made with the lender or custodian, the Portfolio may not receive any payments (including interest) on the deposits made with the lender or custodian. Because of this asset segregation requirement, a Portfolio may be required to liquidate other portfolio securities that it otherwise might not have sold in order to meet its obligations, such as paying for redemption of Portfolio shares. In the alternative, the Portfolio could cover its short positions by purchasing the security sold short in accordance with positions taken by the SEC staff.

 

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There is no guarantee that a Portfolio will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. In short sale transactions, a Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short; its loss is limited only by the maximum price it must pay to acquire the security less the price at which the security was sold. In theory, losses from short sales may be unlimited. Short selling may also produce higher than normal portfolio turnover and result in increased transaction costs to a Portfolio. In addition, the use of short sales may result in a Portfolio realizing more short-term capital gains than it would if the Portfolio did not engage in short sales.

The Long/Short Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio anticipate that the frequency of short sales will vary substantially in different periods. However, no securities will be sold short if, after effect is given to any such short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would exceed 100% of the value of a Portfolio’s net assets.

Stand-by Commitments

The Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios may acquire stand-by commitments which may increase the cost, and thereby reduce the yield, of the municipal obligation to which such commitment relates.

U.S. Government Obligations

The Portfolios may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities. Direct obligations of the U.S. Government such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds are supported by its full faith and credit. Indirect obligations issued by Federal agencies and government-sponsored entities generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Some of these indirect obligations may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Please refer to Appendix A for further information about U.S. Government obligations.

“When Issued”, “Delayed Settlement”, and “Forward Delivery” Securities

Each Portfolio may purchase and sell securities on a “when issued,” “delayed settlement” or “forward delivery” basis. “When issued” or “forward delivery” refers to securities whose terms and indenture are available and for which a market exists, but which are not available for immediate delivery. “When issued” or “forward delivery” transactions may be expected to occur one month or more before delivery is due. “Delayed settlement” is a term used to describe settlement of a securities transaction in the secondary market which will occur sometime in the future. One form of “when issued” or “delayed settlement” security that the Core Fixed Income Portfolio may purchase is a “to be announced” (“TBA”) mortgage-backed security. A TBA transaction arises when a mortgage-backed security, such as a GNMA pass-through security, is purchased or sold with the specific pools that will constitute that GNMA pass-through security to be announced on a future settlement date. No payment or delivery is made by a Portfolio in a “when issued”, “delayed settlement” or “forward delivery” transaction until the Portfolio receives payment or delivery from the other party to the transaction. A Portfolio will segregate cash, U.S. Government securities or other high grade debt obligations at least equal to the value of purchase commitments until payment is made. Such segregated securities will either mature or, if necessary, be sold on or before the settlement date. Although a Portfolio receives no income from the above described securities prior to delivery, the market value of such securities is still subject to change.

A Portfolio will engage in “when issued” transactions to obtain what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of the transaction. When a Portfolio engages in “when issued,” “delayed settlement” or “forward delivery” transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities consistent with its investment objective and policies and not for the purpose of speculation. Each Portfolio’s “when issued”, “delayed settlement” and “forward delivery” commitments are not expected to exceed 30% of its total assets absent unusual market circumstances, and each Portfolio will only sell securities on such a basis to offset securities purchased on such a basis.

Securities purchased or sold on a “when issued”, “delayed settlement” or “forward delivery” basis are subject to changes in value based upon changes in the general level of interest rates. In when-issued and delayed settlement transactions, a Portfolio relies on the seller to complete the transaction; the seller’s failure to do so may cause a Portfolio to miss an advantageous price or yield.

 

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PRICE OF PORTFOLIO SHARES

The NAV per share of each class of shares of each Portfolio is determined by dividing the total market value of its investments and other assets, less liabilities allocated to that share class, by the total number of its shares outstanding of that class.

Equity securities and options listed on a U.S. securities exchange, including ETFs, for which quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price as of the close of the exchange’s regular trading hours on the day the valuation is made. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Unlisted U.S. equity securities and options and listed securities and options not traded on the valuation date for which market quotations are readily available are valued not in excess of the asked prices or less than the bid prices. Investments in open-ended investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such companies.

For the purpose of calculating the Government Cash and Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios’ (collectively, the “Money Market Portfolios”) NAV per share, securities are valued by the “amortized cost” method of valuation, which does not take into account unrealized gains or losses. The amortized cost method involves valuing an instrument at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price the Portfolio would receive if it sold the instrument.

The use of amortized cost and the maintenance of each Money Market Portfolio’s per share NAV at $1.00 is based on its election to operate under the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. As a condition of operating under that Rule, among other things, each Money Market Portfolio must maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less and a dollar-weighted average life to maturity of 120 days or less, purchase only instruments deemed to have remaining maturities of 13 months or less, and invest only in securities which are determined by the Portfolio’s advisor, pursuant to procedures established by the Glenmede Fund’s Board, to present minimal credit risks and which are Eligible Securities, pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

The Board has established procedures reasonably designed to stabilize the NAV per share for the purposes of sales and redemptions at $1.00. These procedures include daily review of the relationship between the amortized cost value per share and a NAV per share based upon available indications of market value.

In the event of a deviation of over 1/2 of 1% between a Money Market Portfolio’s NAV, based upon available market quotations or market equivalents, and $1.00 per share based on amortized cost, the Board members will promptly consider what action, if any, should be taken. The Board members also will take such action as they deem appropriate to eliminate or to reduce, to the extent reasonably practicable, any material dilution or other unfair results which might arise from differences between the two. Such action may include redemption in kind, selling instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten the average weighted maturity, exercising puts, withholding dividends, paying distributions from capital or capital gains, utilizing a NAV per share as determined by using available market quotations or suspending redemptions of shares and liquidating the Portfolio under Rule 22e-3 of the 1940 Act.

The NAV per share of each Money Market Portfolio will ordinarily remain at $1.00, but each Portfolio’s daily dividends will vary in amount. There can be no assurance, however, that the Portfolios will maintain a constant NAV per share of $1.00.

Marketable fixed income securities are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, which will ordinarily be the over-the-counter market, at the most recent quoted bid price, or when stock exchange valuations are used, at the latest quoted sale price on the day of valuation. If there is not such a reported sale, the latest quoted bid price will be used. NAV includes interest on fixed income securities which is accrued daily. In addition, bond and other fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or by using a matrix or formula, when a Portfolio’s advisor believes such prices reflect the fair market value of such securities. The prices provided by a pricing service are determined without regard to bid or last sale prices, but take into account institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and any developments related to specific securities. The matrix pricing method values securities by reference to prices of comparable securities obtained from sources the advisor deems accurate and reliable. Debt securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, pursuant to which (i) such securities shall be valued initially at cost on the date of purchase and (ii) thereafter (absent unusual circumstances), a constant proportionate amortization of any discount or premium shall be assumed until maturity of the security.

 

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Securities listed on a foreign exchange and unlisted foreign securities are valued at the latest quoted sales price available when assets are valued. For the International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, if a subsequent occurrence, based on the movement of an index, is believed to have changed such value, however, the Fund may use a fair valuation model to value those securities in order to adjust for events which may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Foreign securities may trade on days when shares of a Portfolio are not priced; as a result, the NAV of shares of such Portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Portfolio’s shares. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the bid prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by a major bank.

The Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios’ municipal obligations for which quotations are readily available are valued at the most recent quoted bid price provided by investment dealers, provided that municipal obligations may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are determined by the Portfolios’ advisor to reflect the fair market value of such municipal obligations. Municipal obligations for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Glenmede Portfolios’ Board. Debt obligations with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued on the basis of amortized cost, pursuant to which (i) such securities are valued initially at cost on the date of purchase and (ii) thereafter (absent unusual circumstances), a constant proportionate amortization of any discount or premium shall be assumed until maturity of the security.

When market quotations are unavailable or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, the Portfolios’ investments will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods determined by the Boards.

PURCHASE OF SHARES

The purchase price of shares of each class of a Portfolio is the NAV next determined after receipt of the purchase order by the particular Fund, plus a purchase premium in the case of the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund,. It is the responsibility of The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A. (“Glenmede Trust”), Glenmede Investment Management LP (“GIM” or the “Advisor”), Philadelphia International Advisors LP (“Philadelphia International”) or certain approved brokers, employee benefit plans or other institutions (“Institutions”) to transmit orders for share purchases to State Street, the Funds’ transfer agent, and to deliver, or provide instructions to investors for the delivery of, required funds to State Street, the Funds’ custodian, on a timely basis.

Each Portfolio reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the offering of its shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders when in the judgment of management such rejection is in the best interest of the particular Portfolio, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for initial and subsequent investments and, in the case of the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, the purchase premium, from time to time.

At the discretion of the Funds, investors may be permitted to purchase Portfolio shares by transferring securities to the Portfolio that meet the Portfolio’s investment objective and policies.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Redemption proceeds are normally paid in cash, although the Funds have elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act which permits them to limit each shareholder to cash redemptions of $250,000 or 1% of such Portfolio’s NAV, whichever is less, within a 90-day period. Any additional redemption proceeds would be made in readily marketable securities.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio, U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from price disparities among different issues of securities or among the markets for equity securities, or for other reasons. The other Portfolios will not normally engage in short-term trading, but reserve the right to do so. It is anticipated that the portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Portfolios to receive favorable tax treatment. The Portfolios are not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices may dictate.

 

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A high portfolio turnover rate can result in corresponding increases in brokerage commissions; however, the Portfolios’ advisors and the sub-advisor (with respect to International Portfolio), will not consider turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions consistent with that Portfolio’s investment objective and policies.

The portfolio turnover rates disclosed in the financial highlights for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012 for the Long/Short Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio are calculated based on the absolute value of the long and short positions rather than the net of the long and short positions shown for prior periods.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Boards of Directors/Trustees of the Funds have adopted a policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings. The policy provides that neither a Fund, nor its investment advisers, sub-adviser, administrator, transfer agent nor distributor (“Fund Service Provider”) will disclose non-public information concerning securities held in a Fund’s Portfolios to any person other than in accordance with the policy. Under the policy, neither a Fund, any Fund Service Provider, nor any of their affiliated persons may receive any compensation in any form, whether in cash or otherwise, in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. A Fund Service Provider may provide portfolio holdings information to third parties if such information has been included in the Fund’s public filings as required by the SEC or other filings, reports or disclosure documents as the SEC or other applicable regulatory authorities may require. In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund publishes on GIM’s website the month-end schedules of investments of the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio and Government Cash Portfolio, within 5 business days after month-end for a period of not less than six months.

Portfolio holdings information that is not filed with the SEC or not otherwise required to be disclosed by the SEC or other applicable regulatory authorities, may be provided to third parties only if the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so, the third party recipients are required to keep all portfolio holdings information confidential and are prohibited from trading on the information they receive. In order to ensure that the disclosure of the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders and to avoid any potential or actual conflicts of interest with the Fund’s Service Providers or other affiliated persons, disclosure to such third parties must be authorized by the Fund’s President and approved in advance by the Board of Directors/Trustees. Under the policy, the Board of each Fund is to receive information, on a quarterly basis, regarding any disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information that were permitted during the preceding quarter. Such authorization, pre-approval and reporting is not required for disclosure by the Funds’ Administrator to providers of auditing, custody, proxy voting and other services to the Funds, as well as rating and ranking organizations. In general, each recipient of non-public portfolio holdings information must sign a confidentiality and non-trading agreement, although this requirement will not apply when the recipient is otherwise subject to a duty of confidentiality.

Under the policy, the Funds’ President has authorized the release of information regarding the Funds’ portfolio holdings on a daily basis to providers of auditing, custody, proxy voting, legal and other services to the Funds, currently including:

 

  (i) State Street, in connection with the provision of services as the Funds’ Custodian, Administrator, Transfer Agent, securities lending agent and short sales lending agent;

 

  (ii) Third-party providers of proxy voting services, such as Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge);

 

  (iii) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Funds’ independent registered public accountant, in connection with the provision of services related to the audit of the Funds’ financial statements and certain non-audit services;

 

  (iv) Third-party providers of pricing/analytical services, such as FT Interactive Data Corporation, FactSet, and JJ Kenney;

 

  (v) Ratings and ranking organizations, such as Morningstar, Inc. and Lipper/Thomson Reuters;

 

  (vi) Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, in connection with the provision of services as legal counsel to the Funds;

 

  (vii) Foreside Compliance Services, LLC in connection with the provision of services related to the Funds’ compliance program;

 

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  (viii) Barclays Capital Inc, BTIG LLC and Goldman Sachs Execution and Clearing LP, in connection with the performance of brokerage and options trading and related functions; and

 

  (viii) Third-party financial printers, such as Bowne.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

Each Portfolio is subject to the following restrictions. The numbered restrictions are fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of the lesser of: (1) 67% of the voting securities of the affected Portfolio present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Portfolio.

Each Portfolio (other than the Long/Short Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund) will not:

 

  (1) invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that each Portfolio may invest in futures contracts and options;

 

  (2) purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real estate and may purchase and sell securities which are secured by interests in real estate;

 

  (3) make loans, except (i) by purchasing bonds, debentures or similar obligations (including repurchase agreements, subject to the limitation described in investment limitation (9) below, and money market instruments, including bankers’ acceptances and commercial paper, and selling securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis) which are publicly or privately distributed, and (ii) by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions so long as such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder;

 

  (4) purchase on margin or sell short, except as specified above in investment limitation (1);

 

  (5) purchase more than 10% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer;

 

  (6) issue senior securities, except that a Portfolio may borrow money in accordance with investment limitation (7) below, purchase securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis and enter into reverse repurchase agreements;

 

  (7) borrow money, except as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, and then not in excess of 10% of its total assets at the time of the borrowing (entering into reverse repurchase agreements and purchasing securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis are not subject to this investment limitation);

 

  (8) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent greater than 10% of its total assets at fair market value, except as described in the Prospectus and this SAI and in connection with entering into futures contracts, but the deposit of assets in a segregated account in connection with the writing of covered put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for futures contracts will not be deemed to be pledges of a Portfolio’s assets or the purchase of any securities on margin for purposes of this investment limitation;

 

  (9) underwrite the securities of other issuers, or with respect to each Portfolio other than the U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio, invest more than an aggregate of 10% of the total assets of the Portfolio, at the time of purchase, in securities for which there are no readily available markets, including repurchase agreements which have maturities of more than seven days or, in the case of each Portfolio, securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale;

 

  (10) invest for the purpose of exercising control over management of any company;

 

  (11) invest its assets in securities of any investment company, except in connection with mergers, acquisitions of assets or consolidations and except as may otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act;

 

  (12) acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be invested in securities of companies within such industry; provided, however, that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities; and

 

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  (13) write or acquire options or interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs.

Each Portfolio, with the exception of the New Jersey Muni Portfolio, also will not:

 

  (14) with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of any single issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities).

Pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, each of the Government Cash Portfolio and the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such obligations, certain money market fund securities and securities subject to certain guarantees which are issued by persons that, directly or indirectly, do not control and are not controlled by or under common control with the issuer). Each of these portfolios may, however, invest more than 5% of its total assets in First Tier Securities (as defined in Rule 2a-7) of a single issuer for a period of three business days after the purchase thereof. For the Government Cash Portfolio and the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio compliance with the diversification provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act will be deemed to be compliance with the diversification limitation in paragraph (14).

The New Jersey Muni Portfolio is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means that the Portfolio is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its assets that it may invest in the securities of a single issuer. However, the Portfolio intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify as a “regulated investment company” for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which generally will relieve the Portfolio of any liability for Federal income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Code requires, among other things, that at the end of each quarter, no more than 5% of the value of a Portfolio’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer may be held by the Portfolio, except that (a) up to 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may be invested without regard to these limitations, provided that no more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets are invested in the securities of any one issuer (or two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses); (b) the foregoing limitations do not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; and (c) a Portfolio will be considered to have violated these diversification requirements only if the noncompliance results from an acquisition of securities during the quarter and is not cured within 30 days after the end of any quarter after its first quarter.

If a Portfolio’s borrowings are in excess of 5% (excluding overdrafts) of its total net assets, additional portfolio purchases will not be made until the amount of such borrowing is reduced to 5% or less.

With respect to the International Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio, borrowings including reverse repurchase agreements and securities purchased on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis may not exceed 33 1/3% of each Portfolio’s total net assets.

With respect to investment limitations (7) and (8), the International Portfolio and the Philadelphia International Fund may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, enter into reverse repurchase agreements and purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis, which activities may involve a borrowing, provided that the aggregate of such borrowings shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of each Portfolio’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings) and may pledge up to 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets to secure borrowings.

As a matter of policy which may be changed by the particular Fund’s Board without shareholder approval, with respect to limitation (12), Portfolios other than the Government Cash Portfolio and the Tax Exempt Cash Portfolio will not invest more than 25% of the value of their respective total assets in instruments issued by U.S. banks and with respect to limitation (9), the Government Cash Portfolio and the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio will not invest more than 5% of their total assets in illiquid securities.

In addition, with respect to investment limitation (12), (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services; for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry.

 

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With regard to limitation (13), the purchase of securities of a corporation, a subsidiary of which has an interest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs shall not be deemed to be prohibited by the limitation.

As a matter of fundamental policy which may not be changed without shareholder approval, the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio normally invests at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal obligations, which pay interest that is exempt from regular Federal income tax and Federal alternative minimum tax.

As a matter of fundamental policy which may not be changed without shareholder approval, the Muni Intermediate Portfolio and the New Jersey Muni Portfolio each normally invest at least 80% of their net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal obligations which pay interest that is exempt from regular Federal income tax, but may be subject to Federal alternative minimum tax.

The International Secured Options Portfolio will not:

 

  (1) invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Portfolio may invest in futures contracts, options, swaps and other derivative instruments;

 

  (2) purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real estate and may purchase and sell securities which are secured by interests in real estate;

 

  (3) make loans, except (1) by purchasing bonds, debentures or similar obligations (including repurchase agreements and money market instruments, including bankers’ acceptances and commercial paper, and selling securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis) which are publicly or privately distributed, and (2) by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions so long as such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder;

 

  (4) purchase more than 10% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer;

 

  (5) issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law;

 

  (6) borrow money, except (1) as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, and then not in excess of 10% of its total assets at the time of the borrowing (entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and purchasing securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis are not subject to this investment limitation), (2) the Portfolio may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and (3) the Portfolio may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. Derivative transactions such as options, futures contracts and swaps are not considered to involve borrowings of money and are not subject to these restrictions;

 

  (7) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent greater than 10% of its total assets at fair market value, except as described in the Prospectus and this SAI and in connection with entering into futures contracts, but the deposit of assets in a segregated account in connection with futures, swaps, put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis or other permitted investment techniques and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for such transactions will not be deemed to be pledges or other encumbrance of the Portfolio’s assets or the purchase of any securities on margin for purposes of this investment limitation;

 

  (8) invest for the purpose of exercising control over management of any company;

 

  (9) invest its assets in securities of any investment company, except in connection with mergers, acquisitions of assets or consolidations and except as may otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act;

 

  (10) acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be invested in securities of companies within such industry; provided, however, that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities;

 

  (11) invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs; and

 

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  (12) with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of any single issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities).

As a matter of policy which may be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval, the Portfolio will not:

 

  (a) underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Portfolio may be deemed to be an underwriting; or

 

  (b) invest more than an aggregate of 15% of the net assets of the Portfolio, at the time of purchase, in illiquid securities.

In addition, with respect to investment limitation (10), (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services; for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry.

With regard to limitation (11), the purchase of securities of a corporation, a subsidiary of which has an interest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs shall not be deemed to be prohibited by the limitation.

The Long/Short Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio will not:

 

  (a) invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that each Portfolio may invest in futures contracts, options, swaps and other derivative instruments;

 

  (b) purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real estate and may purchase and sell securities which are secured by interests in real estate;

 

  (c) make loans, except (1) by purchasing bonds, debentures or similar obligations (including repurchase agreements, subject to the limitation described in investment limitation (h) below, and money market instruments, including bankers’ acceptances and commercial paper, and selling securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis) which are publicly or privately distributed, and (2) by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions so long as such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder;

 

  (d) purchase more than 10% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer; (e) issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law;

 

  (f) borrow money, except (1) each Portfolio, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may borrow from banks (as defined in the 1940 Act), other affiliated investment companies and other persons, enter into reverse repurchase agreements, and purchase securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (2) each Portfolio may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (3) each Portfolio may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and (4) each Portfolio may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. Short sales of securities as well as other derivative transactions such as futures contracts and swaps are not considered to involve borrowings of money and are not subject to these restrictions;

 

  (g) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent greater than 10% of its total assets at fair market value, except as described in the Prospectus and this SAI and in connection with entering into futures contracts, but the deposit of assets in a segregated account in connection with short sales, swaps, borrowings, the writing of covered put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis or other permitted investment techniques and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for such transactions will not be deemed to be pledges or other encumbrance of a Portfolio’s assets or the purchase of any securities on margin for purposes of this investment limitation;

 

  (h) invest for the purpose of exercising control over management of any company;

 

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  (i) invest its assets in securities of any investment company, except in connection with mergers, acquisitions of assets or consolidations and except as may otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act;

 

  (j) acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be invested in securities of companies within such industry; provided, however, that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities;

 

  (k) write or acquire options or interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs; and

 

  (l) with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of any single issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities).

With respect to limitation (f)(1) asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the 1940 Act) inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times. Borrowings of securities in connection with short sales and derivative transactions such as futures and swaps are not subject to this limitation.

Borrowings, including reverse repurchase agreements and securities purchased on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis, may not exceed 33 1/3% of each Portfolio’s total net assets.

As a matter of policy which may be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval, each Portfolio will not:

 

  (1) with respect to limitation (j), invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in instruments issued by U.S. banks;

 

  (2) underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Portfolio may be deemed to be an underwriting; or

 

  (3) invest more than an aggregate of 15% of the net assets of the Portfolio, at the time of purchase, in illiquid securities.

In addition, with respect to investment limitation (j), (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services; for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry.

With regard to limitation (k), the purchase of securities of a corporation, a subsidiary of which has an interest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs shall not be deemed to be prohibited by the limitation.

The Secured Options Portfolio will not:

 

  (1) invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Portfolio may invest in futures contracts, options, swaps and other derivative instruments;

 

  (2) purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real estate and may purchase and sell securities which are secured by interests in real estate;

 

  (3) make loans, except (1) by purchasing bonds, debentures or similar obligations (including repurchase agreements and money market instruments, including bankers’ acceptances and commercial paper, and selling securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis) which are publicly or privately distributed, and (2) by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions so long as such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder;

 

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  (4) purchase more than 10% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer;

 

  (5) issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law;

 

  (6) borrow money, except (1) as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, and then not in excess of 10% of its total assets at the time of the borrowing (entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and purchasing securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis are not subject to this investment limitation), (2) the Portfolio may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and (3) the Portfolio may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. Derivative transactions such as options, futures contracts and swaps are not considered to involve borrowings of money and are not subject to these restrictions;

 

  (7) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent greater than 10% of its total assets at fair market value, except as described in the Prospectus and this SAI and in connection with entering into futures contracts, but the deposit of assets in a segregated account in connection with futures, swaps, put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis or other permitted investment techniques and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for such transactions will not be deemed to be pledges or other encumbrance of the Portfolio’s assets or the purchase of any securities on margin for purposes of this investment limitation;

 

  (8) invest for the purpose of exercising control over management of any company;

 

  (9) invest its assets in securities of any investment company, except in connection with mergers, acquisitions of assets or consolidations and except as may otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act;

 

  (10) acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be invested in securities of companies within such industry; provided, however, that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities;

 

  (11) invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs; and

 

  (12) with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of any single issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities).

As a matter of policy which may be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval, the Portfolio will not:

 

  (a) with respect to limitation (10), invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in instruments issued by U.S. banks;

 

  (b) underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Portfolio may be deemed to be an underwriting; or

 

  (c) invest more than an aggregate of 15% of the net assets of the Portfolio, at the time of purchase, in illiquid securities.

In addition, with respect to investment limitation (10), (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services; for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry.

With regard to limitation (11), the purchase of securities of a corporation, a subsidiary of which has an interest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs shall not be deemed to be prohibited by the limitation.

Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund will not:

 

  (a) invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Portfolio may invest in futures contracts, options, swaps and other derivative instruments;

 

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  (b) purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real estate and may purchase and sell securities which are secured by interests in real estate;

 

  (c) underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Portfolio may be deemed to be an underwriting der;

 

  (d) make loans, except (1) by purchasing bonds, debentures or similar obligations (including repurchase agreements and money market instruments, including bankers’ acceptances and commercial paper, and selling securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis) which are publicly or privately distributed, and (2) by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions so long as such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder;

 

  (e) purchase more than 10% of any class of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer;

 

  (f) issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law;

 

  (g) borrow money, except (1) as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, and then not in excess of 10% of its total assets at the time of the borrowing (entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and purchasing securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis are not subject to this investment limitation), (2) the Portfolio may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and (3) the Portfolio may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. Derivative transactions such as options, futures contracts and swaps are not considered to involve borrowings of money and are not subject to these restrictions;

 

  (h) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent greater than 10% of its total assets at fair market value, except as described in the Prospectus and this SAI and in connection with entering into futures contracts, but the deposit of assets in a segregated account in connection with futures, swaps, put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when issued, delayed settlement or forward delivery basis or other permitted investment techniques and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for such transactions will not be deemed to be pledges or other encumbrance of the Portfolio’s assets or the purchase of any securities on margin for purposes of this investment limitation;

 

  (i) invest for the purpose of exercising control over management of any company;

 

  (j) invest its assets in securities of any investment company, except in connection with mergers, acquisitions of assets or consolidations and except as may otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act;

 

  (k) acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be invested in securities of companies within such industry; provided, however, that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities;

 

  (l) invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs; and

 

  (m) with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of any single issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, enterprises or instrumentalities).

As a matter of policy which may be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval, the Portfolio will not:

 

  (1) with respect to limitation (k), invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in instruments issued by U.S. banks

 

  (2) invest more than an aggregate of 15% of the net assets of the Portfolio, at the time of purchase, in illiquid securities.

In addition, with respect to investment limitation (k), (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services; for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry.

 

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With regard to limitation (l), the purchase of securities of a corporation, a subsidiary of which has an interest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs shall not be deemed to be prohibited by the limitation.

If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later increase in percentage resulting from a change in value or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

Each Fund’s officers, under the supervision of the particular Board, manage the day-to-day operations of the Fund. The Board members set broad policies for each Fund and choose its officers. Each Fund’s Board member holds office until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such member and until the election and qualification of his/her successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or (ii) the date he or she dies, resigns or retires, or is removed by the particular Board or shareholders. Each Fund’s officer is elected by the particular Board and holds office for the term of one year and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified.

Board Members and Officers

The following is a list of the Board members and officers of each of the Funds, their ages, their principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios that they oversee in the Funds’ complex, and other directorships they hold. The Funds are considered to be members of the same fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address of each Board member and officer is c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company, 4 Copley Place, 5th Floor, CPH0326, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Fund Administration Legal Department.

 

Name and Age

  

Positions with the

Funds and Time

Served

  

Principal Occupations(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund

Complex

Overseen

  

Other

Director-

ships

Held

Interested Directors/ Trustees(1)

Susan W. Catherwood(2)

 

Age: 70

   Director of Glenmede Fund and Trustee of Glenmede Portfolios (since February 2007)    Director (since 1988) and Member of the Investment Review/Relationship Oversight Committee (since 2001) and Compensation Committee (since 1993), Glenmede Trust; Director, The Glenmede Corporation (since 1988); Board Member, The Pew Charitable Trusts; Charter Trustee, The University of Pennsylvania; Chairman Emeritus, The University Museum of The University of Pennsylvania; Member, The Women’s Committee and Penn Museum Board of Overseers of The University of Pennsylvania; Chairman of the Board of Managers, The Christopher Ludwick Foundation; Board Member, Monell Chemical Senses Center; Director: Thomas Skelton Harrison Foundation and The Catherwood Foundation; Fellow, Board Member (until 2012) and serves on Finance and Investment Committees, Chairperson (until 2012), College of Physicians of Philadelphia.    19    None

G. Thompson Pew, Jr.(2)

 

Age: 71

   Director of Glenmede Fund (since October 1988) and Trustee of Glenmede Portfolios (since May 1992) Chairman of the Funds (since June 2006)    Director and Chairman (since 2013) of The Glenmede Corporation; Director, Member of the Relationship Oversight Committee, Executive Committee, Private Equity/Real Estate Advisory Committee (until 2013), and the Compensation Committee, Glenmede Trust; Former Director, Brown & Glenmede Holdings, Inc.; Former Co-Director, Principal and Officer, Philadelphia Investment Banking Co.; Former Director and Officer, Valley Forge Administrative Services Company.    19    None

 

(1) Interested Directors/Trustees are those Directors/Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act.
(2) Susan W. Catherwood and G. Thompson Pew, Jr. are considered to be “interested persons” of the Funds because of their affiliations with Glenmede Trust, the parent company of the Funds’ investment advisor, GIM, and their stock ownership in The Glenmede Corporation, of which GIM is an affiliate.

 

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Name and Age

  

Positions with the

Funds and Time

Served

  

Principal Occupations(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund

Complex

Overseen

  

Other

Director-

ships

Held

Independent Directors/ Trustees(3)

     

H. Franklin Allen, Ph.D.

 

Age: 57

   Director of Glenmede Fund (since March 1991) and Trustee of Glenmede Portfolios (since May 1992)    Nippon Life Professor of Finance, and Professor of Economics, The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania; Professor of Finance and Economics (1990-1994); Vice Dean and Director of Wharton Doctoral Programs (1990-1993). Employed by The University of Pennsylvania (since 1980).    19    None

Independent Directors/ Trustees(3)

     

William L. Cobb, Jr.(4)

 

Age: 66

   Director of Glenmede Fund and Trustee of Glenmede Portfolios (since February 2007)    Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, The Church Pension Fund (defined benefit plan for retired clergy of the Episcopal Church) (since 1999); Vice Chairman, J.P. Morgan Investment Management (1994-1999), Chair (since 2008) and Member (until 2008), Investment Committee, The Minister and Missionaries Benefit Board of the American Baptist Church and the Wenner-Gren Foundation.    19    None

Gail E. Keppler

 

Age: 67

   Director of Glenmede Fund and Trustee of Glenmede Portfolios (since February 2007)    Former Co-CEO/COO TVG, Inc. (pharmaceutical marketing consulting) (1992-2002); Former Board Member, Laurel House; Former Division President and Board Member, Burke Marketing Services, Inc.    19    None

Francis J. Palamara

 

Age: 88

   Director of Glenmede Fund (since October 1988) and Trustee of Glenmede Portfolios (since May 1992)    Former Chief Operating Officer, The New York Stock Exchange; Former Trustee, Gintel Fund; Former Director, XTRA Corporation; Former Director, Executive Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer, ARAMARK, Inc.; Former Director, The Pittston Company; Former Director, Brinks Corp.; Former Director, Constar Corporation; Former President, Meinhard Commercial Corporation; Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, James Talcott, Inc.    19    None

Harry Wong

 

Age: 65

   Director of Glenmede Fund and Trustee of Glenmede Portfolios (since February 2007)    Former Managing Director, Knight Capital Americas, L.P., an operating subsidiary of Knight Capital Group Inc. (investment banking) (2009- 2011); Managing Director, Long Point Advisors, LLC (business consulting) (since 2003); Managing Director, BIO-IB LLC (healthcare investment banking) (2004-2009); Senior Managing Director, ABN AMRO (investment banking) (1990-2002); Adjunct Faculty Member, Sacred Heart University (2003-2007).    19    None

 

(3) Independent Directors/Trustees are those Directors/Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act.
(4) Since July 2012, Gordon Fowler, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of GIM and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Glenmede Trust, has served on the board of trustees of The Church Pension Fund where Mr. Cobb has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer since 1999.

 

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Officers

 

Name, Address, and

Age

  

Positions Held

with the Funds

  

Term of Office and

Length of Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5

Years

Mary Ann B. Wirts

1650 Market Street,

Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Age: 62

   President and Treasurer of the Funds.    President of the Funds since December 1997. Treasurer of the Funds since December 2002.    Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of Glenmede Trust. Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of Glenmede Investment Management LP (since 2006). First Vice President and Managing Director of Fixed Income of Glenmede Advisers (2000-2006). Employed by Glenmede Trust since 1982.

Kimberly C. Osborne

1650 Market Street,

Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Age: 45

   Executive Vice President of the Funds.    Executive Vice President of the Funds since December 1997.    Client Service Manager of Glenmede Investment Management LP (since 2006). Vice President of Glenmede Trust and Glenmede Advisers until 2008. Employed by Glenmede Trust 1993-2008 and Glenmede Advisers 2000-2008.

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA

19103-6996

 

Age: 54

   Secretary of the Funds.    Secretary of the Funds since January 1995.    Partner in the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.

David James

4 Copley Place

Boston, MA 02116

 

Age: 43

   Assistant Secretary of the Funds.    Assistant Secretary of the Funds since December 2011.    Vice President and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2009 to present; Vice President and Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (US), Inc. 2006 to 2009.

Jennifer LaBelle

200 Clarendon Street Boston, MA 02116

 

Age: 45

   Assistant Treasurer of the Funds.    Assistant Treasurer of the Funds since December 2012.    Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company since 2008.

 

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Name, Address, and

Age

  

Positions Held

with the Funds

  

Term of Office and

Length of Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5

Years

Donna M. Rogers

10 High Street

Boston, MA 02110

 

Age: 47

   Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds    Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds since September 2004.    Managing Director, Foreside Compliance Services, LLC (since 2010); Senior Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2007-2010); Senior Director, Investors Bank & Trust Company (prior to merger with State Street) (2002-2007).

Bernard Brick

4 Copley Place

Boston, MA 02116

 

Age: 40

   Assistant Secretary of the Funds.    Assistant Secretary of the Funds since December 2013.    Assistant Vice President and Associate Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2011 to present; Student, Northeastern University School of Law, 2008 to 2011.

 

The Boards believe that each Director’s/Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Directors/Trustees lead to the conclusion that each Director/Trustee should serve in such capacity. Among the attributes common to all Directors/Trustees is the ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Directors/Trustees, the investment advisers, other service providers, legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Directors/Trustees. A Director’s/Trustee’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively may have been attained through such person’s business, consulting and/or academic positions; experience as a board member of the Funds, other investment funds, or non-profit entities or other organizations; education or professional training; and/or other life experiences. In addition to these shared characteristics, set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Director/Trustee:

 

H. Franklin Allen, Ph.D.:    Dr. Allen has substantial experience in the areas of finance and economics through his educational background and position for many years as a professor of finance and economics at The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.
Susan W. Catherwood:    Ms. Catherwood has substantial business, finance and investment management experience through her board and committee positions with the parent companies of the Advisor and her board and/or executive positions with academic entities, charitable foundations and companies.
William L. Cobb, Jr.:    Mr. Cobb has substantial investment management and business experience through his senior executive, chief investment officer and/or investment committee positions with private and non-profit entities, and as a senior executive officer of a global investment management firm.
Gail E. Keppler:    Ms. Keppler has substantial financial, business and consulting experience most recently through her senior executive positions with operating companies and as a board member of a non-profit entity.
Francis J. Palamara:    Mr. Palamara has substantial business, accounting and financial experience as well as an understanding of the securities markets having worked as a senior executive, executive, financial officer and/or board member of operating companies and as former chief operating officer of the New York Stock Exchange.
G. Thompson Pew, Jr.:    Mr. Pew has substantial business, financial services and investment management experience through his board and committee positions with the parent companies of the Advisor and executive positions with other financial services entities.
Harry Wong:    Mr. Wong has substantial finance, investment banking and capital markets experience through his positions as an executive in investment banking businesses.

Specific details regarding each Director’s/Trustee’s term of office as a Director/Trustee with the Funds and principal occupations during at least the past five years are included in the table above.

 

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Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for oversight of the Funds rests with the Boards. The Funds have engaged investment advisers to manage their Portfolios on a day-to-day basis. The Boards are responsible for overseeing the investment advisers and other service providers in the operations of the Funds in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Funds’ Charters and By-laws. Each Board is currently composed of the same seven members, five of whom are Independent Directors/Trustees. The Boards meet in-person at regularly scheduled meetings four times each year. In addition, the Boards may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. The Boards and the Independent Directors/Trustees have access to the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm and independent legal counsel for consultation to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities. As described below, the Boards have each established an Audit Committee, Valuation Committee, and Nominating Committee and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time to assist the Boards in fulfilling their oversight responsibilities.

The Boards have appointed G. Thompson Pew, Jr., an Interested Director/Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman of the Boards. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Boards and to act as liaison with the investment advisers, other service providers, counsel and other Directors/Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Boards from time to time. The Boards do not have a lead Independent Director/Trustee; however, Independent Directors/Trustees chair each of the Boards’ standing committees. The Boards review their leadership structures during their periodic self-assessments and based on that review, have determined that the Boards’ leadership structures are appropriate because they allow the Boards to exercise informed judgment over matters under their purview and they allocate areas of responsibility among committees of the Boards and the full Boards in a manner that enhances effective oversight.

The Funds are subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risks, among others. Risk oversight forms part of the Boards’ general oversight of the Funds and is addressed as part of the Boards’ and their committees’ various activities. Day-to-day risk management functions are included within the responsibilities of the investment advisers and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), which carry out the Funds’ investment management and business affairs. The investment advisers and other service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various events or circumstances that give rise to risks, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each of the investment advisers and other service providers have their own independent interests in risk management, and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models. The Boards recognize that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Funds or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The Boards require senior officers of the Funds, including the President, Chief Financial Officer and CCO and the investment advisers, to report to the full Boards on a variety of matters at each regular meeting of the Boards, including matters relating to risk management. The Boards also receive reports from certain of the Funds’ other primary service providers on regular basis, including State Street as the Funds’ custodian, administrator, transfer agent and securities lending agent. The Funds’ CCO meets in executive session with the Boards at each regularly scheduled meeting and meets separately with the Independent Directors/Trustees at least annually to discuss relevant risk issues affecting the Funds. In addition, the CCO reports to the Chairman of the Audit Committees between meetings to discuss compliance related matters. The Audit Committees also receive regular reports from the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. The Boards and Independent Directors/Trustees meet with the Funds’ independent legal counsel each quarterly meeting and have access to legal counsel for consultation concerning any issues that may occur between regularly scheduled meetings. The Boards may, at any time and in their discretion, change the manner in which they conduct risk oversight.

Standing Board Committees

Dr. Allen and Messrs. Cobb, Palamara (Chairman), Pew and Wong and Mmes. Catherwood and Keppler serve on each Audit Committee of the Boards. The Audit Committees operate under a written charter approved by the Boards. The purposes of the Audit Committees include overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Funds and the audits of the Funds’ financial statements. Accordingly, the Committees assist the Boards in their oversight of (i) the integrity of the Funds’ financial statements; (ii) the independent accountants’ qualifications and independence; and (iii) the performance of the Funds’ internal audit function and independent accountants. The Audit Committees met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

 

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Dr. Allen (Chairman) and Messrs. Cobb, Palamara, Pew and Wong and Mmes. Catherwood, Keppler and Wirts serve on each Valuation Committee of the Boards. The Funds’ Valuation Committees, or under certain circumstances the Valuation Committees’ Chairman or his designee, determine, in consultation with the Funds’ administrator and advisors, the fair value of certain securities pursuant to procedures adopted by the Boards. The Glenmede Fund’s Valuation Committee met seventy times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

Dr. Allen and Messrs. Cobb (Chairman), Palamara, Wong and Ms. Keppler serve on each Nominating Committee of the Boards. The Funds’ Nominating Committees, among other things, nominate persons to fill vacancies on the Boards and Board Committees. The Nominating Committees will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the appropriate Committee in care of the Funds’ Secretary. The Nominating Committees did not meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

Director/Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

The following table shows the Directors’/Trustees’ ownership of each Portfolio of each Fund and in all Portfolios of the Funds overseen by the Directors/Trustees, as of December 31, 2013.

 

Name of Director/Trustee

  

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in

each Portfolio of each Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Portfolios in the

Fund Complex

Interested Directors/Trustees

     
Susan W. Catherwood    None       None
G. Thompson Pew, Jr.    Government Cash Portfolio    Over $100,000    Over $100,000
   International Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Large Cap Core Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Long/Short Portfolio    $10,000-$50,000   
   Small Cap Equity Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Strategic Equity Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio    $10,000-$50,000   

Independent Directors/Trustees

        
H. Franklin Allen, Ph.D.    None       None
William L. Cobb, Jr.    None       None
Gail E. Keppler    Core Fixed Income Portfolio    $50,001 - $100,000    Over $100,000
   Government Cash Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   International Secured Options Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Large Cap Core Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Long/Short Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Secured Options Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Small Cap Equity Portfolio (Advisor Shares)    Over $100,000   
   Strategic Equity Portfolio    Over $100,000   
   Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio    Over $100,000   
Francis J. Palamara    Core Fixed Income Portfolio    Over $100,000    Over $100,000
   Government Cash Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   Large Cap Core Portfolio    $50,001 - $100,000   
   Large Cap Growth Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   Large Cap Value Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   Secured Options Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   Small Cap Equity Portfolio (Advisor Shares)    $10,001-$50,000   
   Strategic Equity Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   Total Market Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
   U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio    $10,001-$50,000   
Harry Wong    None       None

 

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Remuneration of Board Members

As of January 1, 2014, the annual fee for each Glenmede Fund Board member, other than officers of the advisors, is $45,000. In addition, to the annual fee, the Glenmede Fund pays each Board member, other than officers of the advisors, $3,000 for each Board meeting attended and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, and the Audit Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $5,000 for his services as Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Glenmede Portfolios pays each Board member, other than officers of the advisors, an annual fee of $1,000 per year and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. Board members receive no compensation as members of the Audit, Valuation or Nominating Committees. The officers of the Funds receive no compensation as officers from the Funds.

Set forth in the table below is the compensation received by Board members for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

 

Name of Person, Position*    Aggregate
Compensation* from
Glenmede Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation*
from Glenmede
Portfolios
    

Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as

Part of Funds’
Expenses

   Estimated
Annual
Benefits
Upon
Retirement
   Total
Compensation*
from the Fund
Complex**
 

Interested

Directors/Trustees

              

Susan W. Catherwood,

Director/Trustee

   $ 50,000       $ 1,000       None    None    $ 51,000   

G. Thompson Pew, Jr.,

Director/Trustee

   $ 51,236       $ 1,000       None    None    $ 52,236   

Independent

Directors/Trustees

              

H. Franklin Allen, Ph.D.,

Director/Trustee

   $ 50,000       $ 1,000       None    None    $ 51,000   

William L. Cobb, Jr.,

Director/Trustee

   $ 51,629       $ 1,000       None    None    $ 52,629   

Gail E. Keppler,

Director/Trustee

   $ 50,000       $ 1,000       None    None    $ 51,000   

Francis J. Palamara,

Director/Trustee

   $ 57,395       $ 1,000       None    None    $ 58,395   

Harry Wong,

Director/Trustee

   $ 52,572       $ 1,000       None    None    $ 53,572   

 

* Compensation includes reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, where applicable.
** Includes $1,000 annual fee for service on the Board of Trustees of Glenmede Portfolios.

 

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Code of Ethics

The Funds, the advisors and the sub-advisor have each adopted codes of ethics that permit personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities including securities that may be purchased or held by each Fund.

Proxy Voting Procedures

The Funds have delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the advisors and sub-advisor, as applicable, subject to the Boards’ general oversight. In delegating proxy responsibilities, the Boards have directed that proxies be voted consistent with the Funds’ and their shareholders best interests and in compliance with all applicable proxy voting rules and regulations. The advisors and sub-advisor have adopted their own proxy voting policies and guidelines for this purpose (collectively, the “Proxy Voting Procedures”). The Proxy Voting Procedures address, among other things, material conflicts of interest that may arise between the interests of the Funds and the interests of the advisors, sub-advisor and their affiliates. The Proxy Voting Procedures are provided in Appendix B of this SAI.

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies, if any, relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-442-8299, and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Advisors and Sub-Advisor

GIM, with principal offices at One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, currently serves as the investment advisor to each Portfolio (except the Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund). GIM, a limited partnership, wholly-owned by Glenmede Trust, became the investment advisor to the relevant Portfolios on January 1, 2007. From September 1, 2000 until January 1, 2007, investment advisory services were provided by Glenmede Trust’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Glenmede Advisers, Inc. (“Glenmede Advisers”). On January 1, 2007, Glenmede Advisers and GIM merged, and GIM succeeded to Glenmede Advisers’ investment adviser registration, acquired all of Glenmede Advisers’ assets and liabilities and undertook all rights, obligations, and responsibilities of Glenmede Advisers under the Portfolios’ Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement. Prior to September 1, 2000, investment advisory services were provided by Glenmede Trust. As of January 1, 2014, GIM and its affiliated companies had over $26 billion in assets in the accounts for which they serve in various capacities, including as executor, trustee or investment advisor.

The Advisory Agreements will continue in effect from year to year provided their continuance is approved annually (i) by the holders of a majority of each Portfolio’s outstanding voting securities or by the Board and (ii) by a majority of the Directors/Trustees who are not parties to each Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party. Each Advisory Agreement may be terminated on 60 days’ written notice by any such party and will terminate automatically if assigned.

The names and position with GIM of the principal executive officers and each director of GIM are as follows. The address for each is c/o GIM, One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

 

Name

  

Position with GIM

Gordon B. Fowler

   Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer

James R. Belanger

   Managing Director

Laura Williamson

   Managing Director

Mary Ann B. Wirts

   Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer

Peter Zuleba

   Managing Director and Director of Investment Management

Maria McGarry

   Chief Compliance Officer

 

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GIM is wholly-owned by Glenmede Trust as both its only limited partner and as the sole owner of GIM’s only general partner, Gatepost Partners, LLC. Glenmede Trust, a nationally-chartered trust company, provides fiduciary and investment services to endowment funds, foundations, employee benefit plans and other institutions and individuals. Glenmede Trust is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glenmede Corporation. Glenmede Trust, Gatepost Partners, LLC and Glenmede Corporation are located at One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

Philadelphia International Advisors LP (“Philadelphia International”) is the investment advisor to the Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and is the sub-advisor to the International Portfolio. The address of Philadelphia International is 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2501, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Philadelphia International became the advisor to the Philadelphia International Fund and became the sub-advisor to the International Portfolio effective January 1, 2002. From September 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001, investment advisory services for the Philadelphia International Fund and the International Portfolio were provided by Glenmede Advisers. Prior to September 1, 2000, investment advisory services for the Philadelphia International Fund and the International Portfolio were provided by Glenmede Trust. Philadelphia International has been the investment advisor to the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund since their inception.

Philadelphia International is a limited partnership founded in 2001, in which Glenmede Trust is a limited partner. Glenmede Trust is the parent company of GIM. Philadelphia International was created to provide investment advisory services related to international equity investments. As of December 31, 2013, Philadelphia International had approximately $2.8 billion of assets under management. The partners in Philadelphia International and their respective interests in the partnership as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:

 

Name*

  

Ownership Status

Glenmede Trust

   Limited Partner
Philadelphia International Partners LP** Partner    General

 

* The primary business address of each person is 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2501, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
** Andrew B. Williams, Robert C. Benthem de Grave, Frederick B. Herman, Scott E. Decatur, Peter O’Hara, Stephen Dolce, Christopher S. Delpi, Wei Huang, Kent E. Weaver, Thomas R. Angers, Joseph Langella, Amy Lieb, Christine Sasse, Gordon Gary, Nicholas C. Fedako and Gina Zhang are the limited partners in Philadelphia International Partners LP. AB Williams Company LLC is the general partner in Philadelphia International Partners LP.

 

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Principal Executive Officers of Philadelphia International

 

Name*

  

Positions and Offices with Philadelphia International

Andrew B. Williams

   President and Chief Executive Officer

Scott E. Decatur

   Chief Investment Officer

Amy Lieb

   Director of Finance and Administration

Kent E. Weaver

   Chief Compliance Officer

 

* The principal business address of each person is 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2501, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

As noted in the Prospectus, GIM does not receive any fee from the Government Cash, Muni Intermediate, New Jersey Muni, and Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios for its investment services.

GIM is entitled to receive a fee from the Small Cap Equity Portfolio for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Small Cap Equity Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $2,747,824, $1,698,552 and $954,507, respectively.

GIM is entitled to receive fees from the Large Cap Core and Large Cap Growth Portfolios for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.55% of each such Portfolio’s average daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Large Cap Core Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $1,040,651, $584,681 and $516,658, respectively, and the Large Cap Growth Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $709,269, $452,878 and $326,541, respectively.

GIM is entitled to receive fees from the Core Fixed Income, International, Large Cap Value, Strategic Equity and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolios for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.35%, 0.75%, 0.55%, 0.55% and 0.55%, respectively, of such Portfolio’s average daily net assets. GIM pays Philadelphia International a fee for its sub-investment advisory services to the International Portfolio, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.26% of the International Portfolio’s average daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Core Fixed Income Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $1,502,519, $1,469,043 and $1,236,118, respectively, the Large Cap Value Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $475,773, $555,258 and $419,291, respectively, the Strategic Equity Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $975,804, $918,458 and $897,669, respectively. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the International Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $870,252, $1,508,275 and $2,565,321, respectively; and the U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $181,884, $134,351 and $110,006, respectively. Effective November 15, 2013, GIM contractually agreed that during any time that the International Portfolio invests in a registered investment company or series thereof advised by the Philadelphia International, GIM will waive its advisory fee to the extent of such investment. Philadelphia International also contractually agreed with GIM to waive its sub-advisory fee equal to the same amount. GIM and Philadelphia International have each contractually agreed to these waivers until at least February 28, 2015.

GIM is entitled to receive fees from the Long/Short and Total Market Portfolios for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1.20% of each such Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Effective February 29, 2008, the Advisor contractually waived a portion of its advisory fees so that the management fees for the Long/Short and Total Return Portfolio are currently 0.85% of each such Portfolio’s average daily net assets. GIM has also contractually agreed to waive an additional portion of its advisory fees and/or reimburse the Portfolios to the extent that total annual Portfolio operating expenses, as a percentage of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets, exceed 1.25% (excluding short-sale dividends, prime broker interest, brokerage commissions, taxes, interest, and extraordinary expenses). GIM has contractually agreed to these waivers and/or reimbursements until at least February 28, 2015. You will be notified if the waivers are discontinued after that date. GIM is not entitled to collect or make a claim for waived fees or reimbursed expenses at any time in the future. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Long/Short Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $238,525, $183,745 and $131,663, respectively. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, GIM waived advisory fees and/or reimbursed expenses with respect to the Long/Short Portfolio in the amount of $69,570, $62,072 and $49,812, respectively. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Total Market Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $543,488, $551,852 and $460,962, respectively. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, GIM waived advisory fees and/or reimbursed expenses with respect to the Total Market Portfolio in the amount of $158,521, $177,960 and $134,447, respectively.

 

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GIM is entitled to receive a fee from the Secured Options Portfolio for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $2,101,990, $1,792,098 and $1,115,817, respectively.

GIM is entitled to receive a fee from the International Secured Options Portfolio for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. GIM has contractually agreed, until at least February 28, 2015, to waive all or a portion of its investment advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that the Portfolio’s total annual operating expenses, as a percentage of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets, exceed 1.00% (excluding Acquired Fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes). You will be notified if the waivers are discontinued after that date. GIM is not entitled to collect or make a claim for waived fees or reimbursed expenses at any time in the future. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 and the period from commencement of operations on September 28, 2012 to October 31, 2012, the Portfolio paid GIM advisory fees of $407,079 and $3,828, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 and the period from commencement of operations on September 28, 2012 to October 31, 2012, GIM waived advisory fees and/or reimbursed expenses with respect to the International Secured Options Portfolio in the amount of $0 and $18,643, respectively.

Philadelphia International is entitled to receive a fee from the Philadelphia International Fund for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Philadelphia International has agreed to waive its fees to the extent necessary to ensure that the Philadelphia International Fund’s annual total operating expenses do not exceed 1.00% of average net assets. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the Philadelphia International Fund paid Philadelphia International advisory fees of $276,511, $452,627 and $709,583 and, respectively. It was not necessary for Philadelphia International to waive its advisory fees during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, Philadelphia International waived advisory fees with respect to the Philadelphia International Fund in the amount of $27,390 and $1,368, respectively.

Philadelphia International is entitled to receive a fee from the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Philadelphia International has contractually agreed, until at least February 28, 2015, to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses (other than brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest, taxes and any other items as agreed upon from time to time by Glenmede Fund and Philadelphia International) to the extent necessary to ensure that the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund’s annual total operating expenses do not exceed 1.33% for Class I’s average daily net assets and 1.10% of Class IV’s average daily net assets. You will be notified if the waivers are discontinued after that date. Philadelphia International is not entitled to collect or make a claim for waived fees or reimbursed expenses at any time in the future. Philadelphia International may also voluntarily agree to waive some or all of its fees and/or reimburse the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund’s expenses from time to time, in its discretion. Such voluntary waivers or reimbursements may be commenced or discontinued at any time. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and the period from commencement of operations on May 31, 2011 to October 31, 2011, the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund paid Philadelphia International advisory fees of $79,649, $24,154 and $7,684, respectively. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and the period from commencement of operations on May 31, 2011 to October 31, 2011, Philadelphia International waived advisory fees and/or reimbursed expenses with respect to the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund in the amount of $33,570, $66,235 and $45,437, respectively.

Philadelphia International is entitled to receive a fee from the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund for its investment advisory services, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Philadelphia International has contractually agreed, until at least February 28, 2015, to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses (other than brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest, taxes and any other items as agreed upon from time to time by Glenmede Fund and Philadelphia International) to the extent necessary to ensure that the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund’s annual total operating expenses do not exceed 1.48% for Class I’s average daily net assets and 1.25% of Class IV’s average daily net assets. You will be notified if the waivers are discontinued after that date. Philadelphia International is not entitled to collect or make a claim for waived fees or reimbursed expenses at any time in the future. Philadelphia International may also voluntarily agree to waive some or all of its fees and/or reimburse the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund’s expenses from time to time, in its discretion. Such voluntary waivers or reimbursements may be commenced or discontinued at any time. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and the period from commencement of operations on June 30, 2011 to October 31, 2011, the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund paid Philadelphia International advisory fees of $323,042, $89,264 and $4,821,

 

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respectively. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, October 31, 2012 and the period from commencement of operations on June 30, 2011 to October 31, 2011, Philadelphia International waived advisory fees and/or reimbursed expenses with respect to the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund in the amount of $0, $92,014 and $50,520, respectively.

Additionally, many shareholders in the Portfolios may be clients of Glenmede Trust or an Affiliate and, as clients, pay fees which vary depending on the capacity in which Glenmede Trust or an Affiliate provides fiduciary and investment services to the particular client. Such services may include personal trust, estate settlement, advisory, and custodian services. For example, for advisory services, Glenmede Trust charges its clients up to 1% on the first $3 million of principal, 0.75% on the next $2 million of principal, and 0.50% on the next $15 million of principal. An additional 0.25% administrative service fee is charged on accounts below $3 million. For accounts in excess of $10 million of principal, the fee would be determined by special analysis.

Portfolio Managers

Set forth below is information regarding the individuals identified in the Funds’ Prospectuses as primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds’ Portfolios (“Portfolio Managers”).

As of October 31, 2013, the Portfolio Managers were also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of certain types of other portfolios and/or accounts, as indicated in the table below:

 

Glenmede Investment

Management LP

  

Type of Accounts

  

Number of

Accounts

Managed

  

Total

Assets

Managed

  

Number of
Accounts
Managed

with

Performance-
Based

Advisory Fees

  

Total Assets

Managed

with

Performance-
Based

Advisory Fees

Stephen J. Mahoney   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None

296

  

0

0

2,808,784,370

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Vladimir de Vassal   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None
142

  

0

0

1,112,451,055

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Paul Sullivan   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None
142

  

0

0

1,112,451,055

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Wade Wescott   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None

569

  

0

0

577,203,385

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Mary Ann B. Wirts   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Robert J. Mancuso   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None

280

  

0

0

872,698,334

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Christopher J. Colarik   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None

280

  

0

0

872,698,334

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

 

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Peter J. Zuleba, III   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

None

None

389

  

0

0

618,060,599

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Sean Heron   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

0

None

11

  

0

0

489,111,705

  

None

None

None

  

0

0

0

Philadelphia International Advisors, LP

 

Andrew Williams   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

2

3

50

  

388,945,493

288,952,351

1,832,022,427

  

0

0

0

  

0

0

0

Robert Benthem de Grave   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

2

3

50

  

388,945,493

288,952,351

1,832,022,427

  

0

0

0

  

0

0

0

Wei Huang   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

2

3

50

  

388,945,493

288,952,351

1,832,022,427

  

0

0

0

  

0

0

0

Stephen Dolce   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

2

3

50

  

388,945,493

288,952,351

1,832,022,427

  

0

0

0

  

0

0

0

Scott E. Decatur, Ph.D.   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

1

0

0

  

255,026,067

0

0

  

0

0

0

  

0

0

0

Nicholas C. Fedako   

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

  

1

0

0

  

255,026,067

0

0

  

0

0

0

  

0

0

0

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Portfolio Manager in the Portfolio(s) that he or she manages as of December 31, 2013:

 

Portfolio/Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Shares Beneficially Owned

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

  

Stephen J. Mahoney

   None

Government Cash Portfolio

  

Stephen J. Mahoney

   $50,001-$100,000

International Portfolio

  

Andrew Williams

   None

Robert Benthem de Grave

   None

Wei Huang

   None

Stephen Dolce

   None

International Secured Options Portfolio

  

Sean Heron

   None

Large Cap Core Portfolio

  

Vladimir de Vassal

   $100,001-$500,000

Paul Sullivan

   $50,001-$100,000

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  

Vladimir de Vassal

   $100,001-$500,000

Paul Sullivan

   $50,001-$100,000

 

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Large Cap Value Portfolio

  

Wade Wescott

   $100,001-$500,000

Long/Short Portfolio

  

Vladimir de Vassal

   None

Paul Sullivan

   None

Wade Wescott

   None

Muni Intermediate Portfolio

  

Mary Ann B. Wirts

   None

New Jersey Muni Portfolio

  

Mary Ann B. Wirts

   None

Philadelphia International Fund

  

Andrew Williams

   $100,001-$500,000

Robert Benthem de Grave

   $100,001-$500,000

Wei Huang

   $10,001-$50,000

Stephen Dolce

   $10,001-$50,000

Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund

  

Scott E. Decatur, Ph.D.

   $100,001-$500,000

Nicholas C. Fedako

   $10,001-$50,000

Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund

  

Scott E. Decatur, Ph.D.

   $100,001-$500,000

Nicholas C. Fedako

   $10,001-$50,000

Secured Options Portfolio

  

Sean Heron

   $50,001-$100,000

Small Cap Equity Portfolio

  

Robert J. Mancuso

   $100,001-$500,000

Christopher J. Colarik

   $100,001-$500,000

Strategic Equity Portfolio

  

Peter J. Zuleba, III

   $100,001-$500,000

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

  

Mary Ann B. Wirts

   $1-$10,000

Total Market Portfolio

  

Vladimir de Vassal

   None

Paul Sullivan

   None

U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio

  

Vladimir de Vassal

   $100,001-$500,000

Paul Sullivan

   $10,001-$50,000

The compensation package for the GIM Portfolio Managers is comprised of a base salary, annual bonus and participation in a long-term equity plan of the Glenmede Corporation. The base salary is based on a combination of factors including the Portfolio Manager’s experience, expertise, and competitive market rates. The annual bonus payment is based on a combination of the annual pre-tax financial performance of the Glenmede Corporation, revenue generated from investment management fees and achievement of non-financial strategic goals. The Glenmede Corporation’s equity plan provides an opportunity for senior management to build equity in the parent company through options and restricted stock. Participation is based on position, experience and expertise.

The Philadelphia International’s Portfolio Managers have a compensation package that includes: base salary (fixed), revenue sharing (fixed %), performance bonuses (variable), and partnership distributions (based on the firm’s profitability). The base salary is determined by considering overall experience, expertise, and competitive market rates. The revenue sharing component is a percentage of total firm pre-tax revenue based on tenure and overall experience. The performance bonus is determined by Andrew Williams, President and is based on how well the Portfolio Manager’s countries and recommended stock ideas perform for all accounts managed, including the Portfolios, relative to appropriate indexes, as well as the Portfolio Manager’s general contribution to the overall management process. The performance bonus is distributed at year-end based on the pre-tax performance of the previous one and three year time periods. All portions of the Portfolio Managers’ comprehensive compensation plan are received from Philadelphia International, and not from individual clients, portfolios or accounts.

The Portfolio Managers may manage other accounts with investment strategies similar to those of the Portfolios of the Funds, which may suggest the potential for conflicts of interests relating to cross trading, allocation of investment opportunities, and aggregation and allocation of trades. In addition, GIM and Philadelphia International may charge varying fees to different accounts

 

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managed by their respective Portfolio Managers. Shareholders should be aware that, as with any group of portfolios and accounts managed by an investment advisor pursuant to varying fee arrangements, including performance or other incentive-based fee arrangements, there is the potential for a conflicts of interest that may result in the Portfolio Managers’ favoring those portfolios or accounts with higher or incentive-based arrangements. However, the Funds do not anticipate that management by a Portfolio’s Portfolio Manager of other accounts with similar investment strategy or different fee arrangement would conflict with management of any of the Portfolios of the Funds because conflicts of interest of this type are minimized by GIM’s and Philadelphia International’s respective investment management decision-making process and trade allocation policy. In addition, the Funds have adopted policies limiting the circumstances under which cross-trades may be effected between the Funds’ Portfolios and another client account.

Transfer Agent, Dividend Paying Agent, Custodian and Administrator

State Street, with its primary place of business located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Funds’ transfer agent, dividend paying agent, custodian and administrator.

For its services, State Street is entitled to receive fees from the Funds based on a percentage of the daily net assets of all Portfolios of the Funds, which is allocated to each Portfolio based on its relative net assets, plus transaction charges for certain transactions and out-of-pocket expenses. Fees paid by the Funds to State Street for the past three fiscal years are shown in the following table.

 

Portfolio

   October 31, 2013      October 31, 2012      October 31, 2011  

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

   $ 272,792       $ 260,511       $ 223,385   

Government Cash Portfolio

   $ 459,840       $ 426,842       $ 490,871   

International Portfolio

   $ 103,831       $ 149,348       $ 218,547   

International Secured Options Portfolio*

   $ 47,624       $ 536         N/A   

Large Cap Core Portfolio

   $ 123,048       $ 70,571       $ 61,232   

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $ 86,907       $ 58,563       $ 41,850   

Large Cap Value Portfolio

   $ 66,203       $ 77,153       $ 66,624   

Long/Short Portfolio

   $ 21,741       $ 18,948       $ 16,415   

Muni Intermediate Portfolio

   $ 138,734       $ 102,993       $ 96,511   

New Jersey Muni Portfolio

   $ 42,187       $ 37,495       $ 34,155   

Philadelphia International Fund

   $ 71,847       $ 81,206       $ 104,184   

Small Cap Equity Portfolio

   $ 329,900       $ 196,893       $ 116,984   

Strategic Equity Portfolio

   $ 111,414       $ 98,391       $ 103,865   

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

   $ 413,230       $ 400,912       $ 364,427   

Total Market Portfolio

   $ 37,151       $ 37,432       $ 32,699   

U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio

   $ 29,343       $ 23,733       $ 19,817   

Secured Options Portfolio*

   $ 225,900       $ 227,194       $ 147,611   

Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund*

   $ 76,465       $ 65,736       $ 30,877   

Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund*

   $ 175,064       $ 147,768       $ 36,707   

 

* The International Secured Options Portfolio was launched on September 28, 2012. The Secured Options Portfolio was launched on June 30, 2010. The Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund was launched on May 31, 2011. The Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund was launched on June 30, 2011.

State Street is also compensated for its services as the Funds’ securities lending agent and short sales lending agent and until December 2010, was also paid an annual fee plus out-of-pocket expenses for the provision of personnel and services related to the Funds’ compliance program.

Shareholder Services Plan

Glenmede Portfolios has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan effective January 1, 1995, and most recently amended effective January 1, 2004, and Glenmede Fund has adopted an Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan effective January 1, 1998, and most recently amended effective September 28, 2012 (collectively the “Plans”), under which the Funds may pay a fee to broker/dealers, banks and other financial institutions (including Glenmede Trust and its affiliates and Philadelphia International) that are dealers of record or holders of record or which have a servicing relationship (“Servicing Agents”) with the beneficial owners of

 

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shares in each Portfolios. As of the date of this SAI, the Philadelphia International Fund is not subject to the Plans and, accordingly, pays no shareholder servicing fees. Under the Plans, Servicing Agents enter into Shareholder Servicing Agreements (the “Agreements”) with the Funds. Pursuant to such Agreements, Servicing Agents provide shareholder support services to their clients (“Customers”) who beneficially own shares of the Portfolios. The fee, which is at an annual rate of 0.05% for the Institutional Shares of the Small Cap Equity Portfolio; 0.10% for the Government Cash Portfolio, Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio and Core Fixed Income Portfolio; 0.15% for the Muni Intermediate Portfolio and New Jersey Muni Portfolio; 0.20% for the International Secured Options Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio and Total Market Portfolio; 0.25% for the International, U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio, Class I Shares of the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Class I Shares of the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and the Advisor Shares of the Small Cap Equity Portfolio; and 0.02% for Class IV Shares of the Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and the Class IV Shares of the Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, is computed monthly and is based on the average daily net assets of the shares beneficially owned by Customers of such Servicing Agents. All expenses incurred by a class of the Portfolios in connection with the Agreements and the implementation of the Plans shall be borne entirely by the holders of the shares of that class of the particular Portfolio involved and will result in an equivalent increase to each Portfolio’s Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses. The Advisor, Glenmede Trust and/or Philadelphia International may pay additional compensation from time to time, out of their assets and not as an additional charge to the Funds, to selected institutions and other persons in connection with selling Portfolio shares and/or servicing of Portfolio shareholders and other accounts managed by the Advisor, Glenmede Trust or Philadelphia International.

The services provided by the Servicing Agents under the Agreements may include aggregating and processing purchase and redemption requests from Customers and transmitting purchase and redemption orders to the transfer agent; providing Customers with a service that invests the assets of their accounts in shares pursuant to specific or pre-authorized instructions; processing dividend and distribution payments from the Funds on behalf of Customers; providing information periodically to Customers showing their positions; arranging for bank wires; responding to Customers’ inquiries concerning their investments; providing sub-accounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by Customers or the information necessary for sub-accounting; if required by law, forwarding shareholder communications (such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to Customers; or providing such other similar services as may be reasonably requested.

Glenmede Trust and Philadelphia International have each entered into Agreements with the Funds and provide shareholder support services to their clients who beneficially own shares of certain Portfolios listed below. Glenmede Trust has voluntarily agreed, on a temporary basis, to waive its shareholder servicing fee payable by and/or reimburse expenses of the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio and Government Cash Portfolio to the extent necessary to prevent a negative yield. Glenmede Trust can terminate or modify this arrangement at any time. Glenmede Trust is not entitled to collect or make a claim for waived fees or reimbursed expenses at any time in the future. Shareholder servicing fees paid to Glenmede Trust and Philadelphia International, respectively, for the past three fiscal years are shown in the following table.

Shareholder Services Plan

 

     October 31, 2013     October 31, 2012     October 31, 2011  

Glenmede Trust

      

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

   $ 429,291      $ 419,727      $ 353,177   

Government Cash Portfolio

   $ 772,970   $ 730,523   $ 460,664

International Portfolio

   $ 290,084      $ 502,758      $ 855,107   

International Secured Options Portfolio**

   $ 148,029      $ 1,392        N/A   

Large Cap Core Portfolio

   $ 378,419      $ 212,612      $ 187,876   

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $ 257,916      $ 164,683      $ 118,742   

Large Cap Value Portfolio

   $ 173,009      $ 201,912      $ 152,470   

Long/Short Portfolio

   $ 39,754      $ 30,624      $ 21,944   

Muni Intermediate Portfolio

   $ 334,551      $ 282,283      $ 209,567   

New Jersey Muni Portfolio

   $ 69,451      $ 61,982      $ 51,902   

Small Cap Equity Portfolio

   $ 1,199,568      $ 752,356      $ 433,655   

Strategic Equity Portfolio

   $ 354,838      $ 333,985      $ 326,425   

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

   $ 684,147   $ 664,316   $ 352,112

Total Market Portfolio

   $ 90,580      $ 91,976      $ 76,827   

U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio

   $ 82,674      $ 61,068      $ 50,002   

Secured Options Portfolio**

   $ 764,360      $ 651,672      $ 405,752   

Philadelphia International

      

Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund*

   $ 2,655      $ 805      $ 256   

Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund*

   $ 9,940      $ 2,747      $ 148   

 

* Net of voluntary fee waiver.
** The International Secured Options Portfolio was launched on September 28, 2012. The Secured Options Portfolio was launched on June 30, 2010. The Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund was launched on May 31, 2011. The Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund was launched on June 30, 2011.

 

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Distributor

Shares of the Funds are distributed continuously and are offered without a sales load by Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar Distributors”), 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, pursuant to Distribution Agreements between the Funds and Quasar Distributors. Quasar Distributors receives no fee from the Funds for its distribution services. Currently, the Advisor and Philadelphia International are paying Quasar’s fees and out-of-pocket expenses for the distribution services Quasar provides to the Portfolios each respectively manages as investment advisor.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm and will audit their financial statements annually.

Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996, serves as counsel to the Funds.

Reports

Shareholders will receive unaudited semi-annual financial statements and audited annual financial statements.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Investment Advisory Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreement authorize the advisors, and the sub-advisor to the International Portfolio, to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of investment securities for each of the Portfolios and direct an advisor or sub-advisor to use its best efforts to obtain the best available price and most favorable execution with respect to all transactions for the Portfolios. Each advisor or sub-advisor may, however, consistent with the interests of a Portfolio, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to a Portfolio. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by an advisor or sub-advisor under each Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that such commissions are paid in compliance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the advisor or sub-advisor of the Portfolio determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the transaction or the overall responsibility of the advisor or sub-advisor to a Portfolio and the advisor’s or sub-advisor’s other clients. The distribution of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid by the Portfolios of the Glenmede Fund are reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors.

The Funds are required to identify any securities of their regular brokers or dealers (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) or their parents that the Portfolios have acquired during the Funds’ most recent fiscal year. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, the Core Fixed Portfolio, International Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio and Large Cap Core Portfolio acquired and sold securities of their regular broker/dealers.

As of October 31, 2013, the Core Fixed Income Portfolio held Wells Fargo Securities debt securities with a value of $5,029,795.

As of October 31, 2013, the International Portfolio held Credit Suisse First Boston equity securities with a value of $1,397,173 and Barclays Capital equity securities with a value of $1,326,552.

 

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As of October 31, 2013, the Philadelphia International Fund held Credit Suisse First Boston equity securities with a value of $541,825 and Barclays Capital equity securities with a value of $488,360.

As of October 31, 2013, the Large Cap Value Portfolio held Bank of America Corp. equity securities with a value of $2,952,401, Citigroup, Inc. equity Securities with a value of 2,802,899 and State Street Corporation equity securities with a value of $1,799,047.

As of October 31, 2013, the Long/Short Portfolio held Citigroup Inc. equity securities with a value of $227,705.

As of October 31, 2013, the Strategic Equity Portfolio held Wells Fargo Securities debt securities with a value of $6,317,053.

As of October 31, 2013, the Total Market Portfolio held Citigroup Inc. equity securities with a value of $519,263.

As of October 31, 2013, the Large Cap Core Portfolio held Citigroup Inc. equity securities with a value of $2,289,489, State Street Corporation equity securities with a value of $2,590,768 and Wells Fargo equity securities with a value of $2,532,541.

During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Portfolios paid brokerage commissions as follows:

 

Portfolio

   October 31, 2013      October 31, 2012      October 31, 2011  

International Portfolio

   $ 107,482       $ 343,270       $ 455,077   

International Secured Options Portfolio*

   $ 0       $ 1,061         N/A   

Large Cap Core Portfolio

   $ 503,043       $ 277,660       $ 263,212   

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $ 281,734       $ 248,659       $ 181,205   

Large Cap Value Portfolio

   $ 211,430       $ 317,491       $ 387,599   

Long/Short Portfolio

   $ 116,430       $ 86,483       $ 81,112   

Philadelphia International Fund

   $ 74,645       $ 113,201       $ 136,227   

Small Cap Equity Portfolio

   $ 1,176,593       $ 693,233       $ 634,208   

Strategic Equity Portfolio

   $ 107,482       $ 97,728       $ 172,010   

Total Market Portfolio

   $ 253,956       $ 293,639       $ 239,505   

U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio

   $ 192,563       $ 162,512       $ 131,111   

Secured Options Portfolio*

   $ 0       $ 600       $ 22,998   

Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund*

   $ 177,621       $ 44,760       $ 14,688   

Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund*

   $ 83,559       $ 50,059       $ 2 ,006   

 

* The International Secured Options Portfolio was launched on September 28, 2012. The Secured Options Portfolio was launched on June 30, 2010. The Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund was launched on May 31, 2011. The Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund was launched on June 30, 2011.

Significant changes in brokerage commissions paid by a Portfolio from year to year have been due to changing asset levels and/or portfolio turnover.

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio, Government Cash Portfolio, Muni Intermediate Portfolio, New Jersey Muni Portfolio, and Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio do not currently expect to incur any brokerage commission expense on transactions in their portfolio securities because debt instruments are generally traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission. The price of the security, however, usually includes a profit to the dealer.

Until August 3, 2011, Mr. Wong, a Director/Trustee of the Funds, was a Managing Director of Knight Capital Americas, LP (“Knight”) and therefore Mr. Wong was considered an affiliate of Knight. Knight executes portfolio transactions for the Glenmede Fund from time to time. The Portfolios paid the following brokerage commissions to Knight, a predecessor affiliated company or a division of Knight for the fiscal years indicated below:

 

Portfolio

   Aggregate
Dollar Amount of Brokerage
Commissions during the three
most recent fiscal years
(November 1, 2010-
October 31, 2013)
     Percentage of Aggregate
Brokerage Commissions
during the most recent fiscal
year (November 1, 2012-
October 31, 2013)
    Percentage of
Aggregate Dollar
Amount of Transactions*
during the most recent fiscal
year (November 1, 2012-
October 31, 2013)
 

Strategic Equity Portfolio

   $ 73,996         16.43     18.95

U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio

   $ 72,665         9.64     11.08

Long/Short Portfolio

   $ 60,152         25.42     21.53

Large Cap Value Portfolio

   $ 118,943         21.39     14.29

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $ 127,738         13.57     13.43

Large Cap Core Portfolio

   $ 180,920         19.62     17.66

Small Cap Equity Portfolio

   $ 160,586         3.77     3.10

Total Market Portfolio

   $ 124,091         21.69     0.23

International Portfolio

   $ 5,663         0.00     0.00

Philadelphia International Fund

   $ 1,528         0.00     0.00

 

* The difference between the percentage of brokerage commissions paid to Knight and the percentage of the transactions effected was caused by the Knight-traded securities having a lower average dollar price per share than securities traded by other brokers.

 

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To the extent that a Portfolio effects brokerage transactions with a broker/dealer affiliated directly or indirectly with the Funds, the advisors, sub-advisor or Quasar Distributors, such transactions will be effected in compliance with applicable law.

Some securities considered for investment by each Portfolio may also be appropriate for other clients served by the advisors or sub-advisor. If the purchase or sale of securities is consistent with the investment policies of a Portfolio and one or more of these other clients served by an advisor or sub-advisor and is considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the Portfolio and clients in a manner deemed fair and reasonable by such advisor or sub-advisor. While in some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect on the price, value or quantity of the security as far as a Portfolio is concerned, in other cases it is believed to be beneficial to the Portfolios.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES

The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Portfolios and their shareholders that are not described in the Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolios or their shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectuses are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations.

The discussions of the federal tax consequences in the Prospectuses and this SAI are based on the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and the regulations issued under it, and court decisions and administrative interpretations as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly alter the statements included herein, and any such changes or decisions may be retroactive.

General

Each Portfolio qualified during its last taxable year and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code. As a regulated investment company, each Portfolio generally is exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, each Portfolio must meet three important tests each year.

First, each Portfolio must derive with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies or net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.

Second, generally, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of each Portfolio’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and securities of other issuers as to which the Portfolio has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Portfolio does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of each Portfolio’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

Third, each Portfolio must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) before taking into account any deduction for dividends paid, and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the year.

Each Portfolio intends to comply with these requirements. If a Portfolio were to fail to make sufficient distributions, it could be liable for corporate income tax and for excise tax in respect of the shortfall or, if the shortfall is large enough, the Portfolio could be disqualified as a regulated investment company. If for any taxable year a Portfolio were not to qualify as a regulated investment company, all its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In that event, taxable shareholders would recognize dividend income on distributions to the extent of the Portfolio’s current and accumulated earnings and profits and corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

 

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The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute each year an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). Each Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions each year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

Taxation of Certain Investments

The tax principles applicable to transactions in certain financial instruments, such as futures contracts and options, that may be engaged in by a Portfolio, and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause a Portfolio to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring the Portfolio to liquidate other positions, or to borrow money, so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax. Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

In addition, in the case of any shares of a PFIC in which a Portfolio invests, the Portfolio may be liable for corporate-level tax on any ultimate gain or distributions on the shares if the Portfolio fails to make an election to recognize income annually during the period of its ownership of the shares.

For federal income tax purposes, the Portfolios are generally permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year beginning on or before December 22, 2010 to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss. For capital losses realized in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, the eight-year limitation has been eliminated, so that any capital losses realized by a Portfolio in its taxable year beginning November 1, 2011 and in subsequent taxable years are permitted to be carried forward indefinitely. The following Portfolios have available capital loss carryforwards as of October 31, 2013 to offset future net capital gains through the indicated expiration dates to the extent permitted by the Code and applicable tax regulations as follows:

Expiring October 31,

 

Portfolio

   2015      2016      2017      2018      2019      Unlimited
(Short
Term)
     Unlimited
(Long
Term)
 

Government Cash Portfolio

                  $ 7,424      

Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio

     —           —           —           $ 800         —           

Long/Short Portfolio

   $ 1,396,379       $ 404,939       $ 5,227,189         —           —           

International Portfolio

     —           —         $ 62,521,989         —           —           

Philadelphia International Fund

     —           —         $ 82,274,642         —           —           

Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund

     —           —           —           —           —         $ 119,296       $ 34,419   

These amounts are available to be carried forward to offset future capital gains.

Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios

As described in the Prospectus, the Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios are designed to provide investors with current tax-exempt interest income. Shares of these Portfolios would not be suitable for tax-exempt institutions and may not be suitable for retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Code, H.R. 10 plans and individual retirement accounts since such plans and accounts are generally tax-exempt and, therefore, shareholders would fail to gain any additional benefit from each such Portfolio’s dividends being tax-exempt. Additionally, dividends would be ultimately taxable to the beneficiaries of retirement plans, H.R. 10 plans and individual retirement accounts when distributed to them. In addition, the Portfolios may not be an appropriate investment for entities which are “substantial users” of facilities financed by private activity bonds or “related persons” thereof. “Substantial user” is defined under U.S. Treasury Regulations to include a non-exempt person who regularly uses a part of such facilities in his trade or business and whose gross revenues derived with respect to the facilities financed by the issuance of bonds are more than 5% of the total revenues derived by all users of such facilities, who occupies more than 5% of the usable area of such facilities or for whom such facilities or a part thereof were specifically constructed, reconstructed or acquired. “Related persons” include certain related natural persons, affiliated corporations, a partnership and its partners and an S corporation and its shareholders.

 

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For the Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate or New Jersey Muni Portfolios to pay tax-exempt dividends for any taxable year, at least 50% of the aggregate value of the Portfolio’s assets at the close of each quarter of the Portfolio’s taxable year must consist of exempt-interest obligations.

State and Local Taxes

Although each Portfolio expects to qualify as a regulated investment company and to be relieved of all or substantially all Federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located, or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, a Portfolio may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.

SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING SHARES IN THE PORTFOLIOS IN LIGHT OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS ANY FOREIGN, STATE AND LOCAL OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE AS A RESULT OF HOLDING SHARES IN A PORTFOLIO.

Special Considerations Regarding Investment in New Jersey Municipal Obligations

The concentration of investments by the New Jersey Muni Portfolio in New Jersey Municipal Obligations also raises special investment considerations. This section is based primarily upon one or more publicly available offering statements relating to debt offerings of the State of New Jersey (the “State”), the latest of which is dated August 13, 2013 as supplemented November 8, 2013 and January 17, 2014. The Funds have not independently verified the information. The creditworthiness of obligations issued by local New Jersey issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued by the State, and there is no responsibility on the part of the State to make payments on such local obligations.

The State’s economic base is diversified, consisting of a variety of manufacturing, construction and service industries, supplemented by rural areas with selective commercial agriculture. New Jersey has the Atlantic seashore on the east and lakes and mountains in the north and northwest, which provide recreation for residents as well as for out-of-state visitors. Since 1978, casino gambling in Atlantic City has been an important State tourist attraction.

New Jersey’s economy is expected to expand in 2013 and 2014 at a rate approximately in line with national trends, with employment levels projected to continue to rise, and unemployment to move down gradually, though the unemployment rate is anticipated to remain above the national average, in reflection of the recent strong rebound in the size of the State’s workforce. Inflation rates have continued to be low, reflecting continuing high rates of unemployment. The June 2013 projections of the Federal Reserve System’s Federal Open Market Committee members and participants anticipate national economic growth over the course of 2013 and 2014 to gradually improve relative to the rates of growth seen in 2012. It is anticipated that Federal Reserve policies will not provoke a substantial rise in the underlying rate of inflation, though, as has been the case a number of times in recent years, increases in energy, food, and other commodity prices may lead to short periods in which aggregate price indexes rise noticeably. Recent statements of the Federal Open Market Committee noting that most members and participants will not start to contemplate increases in interest rates until the national unemployment rate falls under 6.5%, unless inflation rates are substantially higher than currently anticipated, reinforce the Federal Reserve’s commitment to supporting national economic growth. More recently, Federal Reserve Board Governors and Reserve Bank Presidents have reiterated that the start of any tightening of monetary policy will depend upon the health of the economy, not upon any preset schedule.

The economic outlook hinges on the success of supportive national fiscal and monetary policies. Availability of credit, stability in the financial markets, and continued improvement in consumer and business confidence are critical factors necessary for the continuation of the economic turnaround nationally and in New Jersey. The State and the nation may experience some near-term deterioration in growth and the expected pace of economic expansion may decline if consumers, investors, and businesses are negatively affected by concerns regarding long-term federal budget sustainability, the implementation of any actions directed at near-term cuts in federal spending or increases in taxes, the impact of federal health care reform on business costs, lack of credit availability, U.S. and international financial market stresses, any slowdown in the pace of global economic recovery, and geopolitical tensions, particularly those which lead to any substantial restrictions on energy supplies from the Middle East. To a large extent, the future direction of the economy nationally and in the State hinges on the assumptions regarding the strength of the current economic recovery, energy prices, and stability in the financial markets.

 

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The State expects to release the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013 (the “2013 CAFR”) during February 2014. As soon as practicable thereafter, the 2013 CAFR will be filed with the Electronic Municipal Market Access System of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.

State revenue collections for Fiscal Year 2013 estimated as of June 30, 2013 are expected to be lower by $538 million than the original Fiscal Year 2013 estimate made at the time of the enactment of the Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriations Act.

The Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations Act anticipates a $166 million increase in casino revenues from Fiscal Year 2013. This estimate does not include any potential revenue from sports betting. Almost all of the anticipated increase reflects the introduction of Internet gaming, which is expected to commence during or about the fourth quarter of calendar year 2013.

The Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations Act anticipated that $165 million from municipal affordable housing trust funds to be received in the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”) would be transferred into the General Fund and treated as State revenue, contributing to an ending fund balance for Fiscal Year 2013 of $466.7 million. However, this money was not deposited into the Trust Fund for Fiscal Year 2013. As a result, the Fiscal Year 2013 ending fund balance is now anticipated to be not less than $300 million. To the extent these municipal affordable housing trust funds are received in Fiscal Year 2014, they will be deposited into the Trust Fund and not the General Fund. As a result of budgetary actions anticipated to occur in Fiscal Year 2014, including reduced expenditures and lapses, the State does not anticipate any significant change in the ending undesignated fund balance for Fiscal Year 2014.

Over the first six months of Fiscal Year 2014 cash collections from the State’s sixteen major revenue sources monitored monthly totaled $10.601 billion, 5.7% above the $10.028 billion collected during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2013. Year-to-date collections are $332 million, or 3.0% below the targeted amount of $10.933 billion. The largest shortfalls in the sixteen major revenue sources monitored monthly were collections in the Gross Income Tax, which was $105 million, or 2.2%, under target, and the Corporate Business Tax, which was $104 million, or 10.1%, under target.

Based upon trends in Fiscal Year 2014 Gross Income Tax collections through the first half of January 2014, the State expects to recover a substantial portion of the shortfall in this tax. The State anticipates that the shortfall in this tax will diminish over the remainder of Fiscal Year 2014. The State continues to monitor closely revenue estimates for Fiscal Year 2014 and as a result of budget actions anticipated to occur in Fiscal Year 2014, including reduced expenditures and lapses, continues to expect the Fiscal Year 2014 ending undesignated fund balance to be not less than $300 million. The Governor’s Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Message, which is expected to be delivered on February 25, 2014, will include updated revenue estimates for Fiscal Year 2014.

The State and its political subdivisions, agencies and public authorities are authorized to issue two general classes of indebtedness; general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. Both classes of bonds may be included in the New Jersey Muni Portfolio. The repayment of principal and interest on general obligation bonds is secured by the full faith and credit of the issuer, backed by the issuer’s taxing authority, without recourse to any special project or source of revenue. Special obligation or revenue bonds may be repaid only from revenues received in connection with the project for which the bonds are issued, special excise taxes, or other special revenue sources and generally are issued by entities without taxing power. Neither the State nor any of its subdivisions is liable for the repayment of principal or interest on revenue bonds except to the extent stated in the preceding sentences.

General obligation bonds of the State are repaid from revenues obtained through the State’s general taxing authority. An inability to increase taxes may adversely affect the State’s ability to authorize or repay debt.

Public authorities, private non-profit corporations, agencies and similar entities of New Jersey (“Authorities”) are established for a variety of beneficial purposes, including economic development, housing and mortgage financing, health care facilities and public transportation. The Authorities are not operating entities of the State, but are separate legal entities that are managed independently. The State oversees the Authorities by appointing the governing boards, designating management, and by significantly influencing operations. The Authorities are not subject to New Jersey constitutional restrictions on the incurrence of debt, applicable to the State itself, and may issue special obligation or private activity bonds in legislatively authorized amounts.

An absence or reduction of revenue will affect a bond-issuing Authority’s ability to repay debt on special obligation bonds and no assurance can be given that sufficient revenues will be obtained to make such payments, although in some instances repayment may be guaranteed or otherwise secured.

 

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Various Authorities have issued bonds for the construction of health care facilities, transportation facilities, office buildings and related facilities, housing facilities, pollution control facilities, water and sewerage facilities and power and electric facilities. Each of these facilities may incur different difficulties in meeting its debt repayment obligations. Hospital facilities, for example, are subject to changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement regulations, attempts by Federal and state legislatures to limit the costs of health care and management’s ability to complete construction projects on a timely basis as well as to maintain projected rates of occupancy and utilization. At any given time, there are several proposals pending on a Federal and state level concerning health care, which may further affect a hospital’s debt service obligation.

Housing facilities may be subject to increases in operating costs, management’s ability to maintain occupancy levels, rent restrictions and availability of Federal or state subsidies, while power and electric facilities may be subject to increased costs resulting from environmental restrictions, fluctuations in fuel costs, delays in licensing procedures and the general regulatory framework in which these facilities operate. All of these entities are constructed and operated under rigid regulatory guidelines.

Certain litigation is pending against the State that could adversely affect the ability of the State to pay debt service on its obligations. These include the following matters: (i) on May 27, 2008, the owner of a wastewater treatment facility asserted claims against the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) for violating the State Eminent Domain Act, various constitutional provisions and tort claims by allegedly permitting discharges of landfill pollutants into the owner’s wastewater treatment lagoon; (ii) in December 2005, the NJDEP and other State officials filed suit against various corporations relating to discharge of dioxin into the Passaic River and its environs; (iii) on September 12, 2011, December 2, 2011, and April 12, 2012 separate actions were brought challenging the constitutionality of P.L. 2011, c 78 (“Chapter 78”) which reformed public employee pension and health benefits; (iv) various claims have been filed against the New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Taxation, involving the State’s Corporation Business Tax; (v) on August 4, 2012, a telecommunications company filed a complaint in the Tax Court contesting the denial of Sales Tax and Use refund claim filed on behalf its customers; (vi) in November 2009 various corrections officers and PBA Local 105 members filed a complaint seeking lost wages and benefits allegedly lost because of their designation as non-employee trainees; (vii) on July 2, 2012 a non-profit organization filed a complaint against the State seeking injunction against the Counsel on Affirmative Housing from transferring unused balances of its budget to the State General Fund as State revenue; (viii) a large developer has filed action against the NJDEP seeking significant damages related to an alleged taking of its property in 1992; (ix) the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has concluded and continues to conduct various audits of Medicaid claims for different programs administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (“DHS”), recommending disallowances of certain claims for federal reimbursement previously paid to the DHS under the Medicaid program totaling approximately $414.6 million, which disallowances are being disputed; (x) on April 12, 2013, the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury (“DPP”) issued a Notice of Intent to Award the Lottery Growth Management Services Contract, to which a protect by the Communication Workers of America (“CWA”) was denied by the Director of the DPP, which protect is subject of a current appeal; and (xi) an individual has filed suit against the Division of Youth and Family Services (“DYFS”) (now known as the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families) alleging DYFS was aware a child showed prior evidence of abuse but failed to act before the abuse resulted in the child becoming severely disabled and requiring life care by professionals, with a jury awarding plaintiff $166 million, which award is subject to the State’s motion for a new trial and remitter. In addition to these specific cases, there are various numbers of tort, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, contract, environmental and other claims pending against the State and its agencies and employees at any given time, on which the State is unable to estimate its exposure.

Although the Portfolio generally intends to invest its assets primarily in New Jersey Municipal Obligations rated no lower than A, MIG2 or Prime-1 by Moody’s or A, SP-1 or A-1 by S&P, there can be no assurance that such ratings will remain in effect until the bond matures or is redeemed or will not be revised downward or withdrawn. Such a revision or withdrawal may have an adverse effect on the market price of such securities.

 

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Special Considerations Regarding Investment in Options

The International Secured Options Portfolio and the Secured Options Portfolio expect to purchase and to sell various call options and put options. In addition, the Large Cap Value Portfolio, the Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund and the Strategic Equity Portfolio are each permitted to purchase and sell options. In general, option premiums received by a Portfolio are not immediately included in the income of the Portfolio. Instead, the premiums are taken into account when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Portfolio transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Portfolio is exercised and the Portfolio sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Portfolio generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the exercise price and the option premium received by the Portfolio minus (b) the Portfolio’s basis in the stock. That gain or loss generally will be short- term or long-term depending on the holding period of the underlying stock. If a put option written by a Portfolio is exercised and the Portfolio purchases the underlying stock, that purchase does not give rise to any gain or loss at that time and the Portfolio’s basis in the stock will generally equal the exercise price of the put option reduced by the premium the Portfolio received for writing the option. Gain or loss with respect to any termination of the Portfolio’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and the related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Portfolio is greater or less than the amount paid by the Portfolio (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by the Portfolio expires unexercised, the Portfolio generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

A Portfolio’s writing of covered call options, may in turn trigger the federal income tax straddle rules of Section 1092 of the Code, requiring that losses be deferred and holding periods be tolled on offsetting positions in options and stocks deemed to constitute substantially similar or related property. Options on single stocks that are not “deep in the money” may give rise to qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules. The holding period on stock underlying covered calls that are “in the money” although not “deep in the money” will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or to fail to qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction for Portfolio shareholders that are corporations.

The tax treatment of certain futures contracts which may be entered into by the International Secured Options Portfolio, Secured Options Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund or Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund as well as listed non-equity options which may be written or purchased by a Portfolio on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (“Section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on Section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from those contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any Section 1256 contracts held by the Portfolio at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as 60/40 or ordinary gain or loss, as applicable.

In addition to the special rules for options and futures transactions, the International Secured Options Portfolio’s, the Secured Options Portfolio’s, the Long/Short Portfolio’s, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund’s and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund’s transactions in other derivatives (for example, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as any of its other hedging transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including notional principal contract, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rule). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains by the Portfolio, defer losses of the Portfolio, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Portfolio’s securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. In addition, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Portfolio has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a fund-level tax.

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Description of Shares and Voting Rights

The shares of each Portfolio have no preference as to conversion, exchange, dividends, retirement or other rights, and, when issued and paid for as provided in this Prospectus, will be fully paid and non-assessable. The shares of each Portfolio have no pre-emptive rights and do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares of a Fund voting for the election of its Board members can elect 100% of the Board of that Fund if they choose to do so. A shareholder is entitled to one vote for each full share held (and a fractional vote for each fractional share held), then standing in his or her name on the books of the particular Fund. The Funds will not hold annual meetings of shareholders, except as required by the 1940 Act, the next sentence and other applicable law. Each Fund has undertaken that its Board will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a Board member or members if such a meeting is requested in writing by the holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the particular Fund. To the extent required by the undertaking, the particular Fund will assist shareholder communication in such matters. The staff of the SEC has expressed the view that the use of a combined Prospectus for the Funds may subject a Fund to liability for misstatements, inaccuracies or incomplete disclosure about the other Fund.

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 shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio or class affected by the matter. The Portfolio or class is affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of the Portfolio or class in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the Portfolio or class. Under Rule 18f-2, the approval of an investment advisory agreement or any change in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to the Portfolio only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of independent public accountants and the election of directors or trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Fund voting without regard to the Portfolio.

Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a greater vote of the Glenmede Fund’s common stock (or of the shares of the Portfolio or class voting separately as a class) in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law (for example by Rule 18f-2 discussed above) or by the Glenmede Fund’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement, the Glenmede Fund may take or authorize such action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding common stock of the Glenmede Fund entitled to vote thereon.

Certain Record Holders

To the Fund’s knowledge, the following shareholders held of record or beneficially owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the indicated Portfolio as of February 1, 2014. Any shareholder that owns more than 25% of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio or class may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) the Portfolio or class. Shareholders controlling a Portfolio or class could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the Portfolio or class on any matter requiring approval of shareholders of the Portfolio or class.

 

Portfolio

  

Name and Address of Owner

   Ownership Type    Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
 
Core Fixed Income Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place1650 Market Street, Suite 1200 Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record      96.68
Government Cash Portfolio    Lauer & Co. c/o The Glenmede Trust Company One Liberty Place 1650 Market Street, Suite 1200 Philadelphia, PA 19103    Record      99.38

 

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International Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    87.52%
International Portfolio   

Chemical Bank TR FBO

Glenmede Trust Co Retirement Pl

4 New York Plaza 4th Fl

New York, NY 10004-2413

   Record    6.80%
International Portfolio   

Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co

FBO 401k

PO Box 2600 VM L23

Valley Forge, PA 19482

   Record    5.67%
International Secured Options Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    98.72%
Large Cap Growth Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    53.28%
Large Cap Growth Portfolio   

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Attn: Jill Khashayar

Glenmede Funds

88 Kearny St.

San Francisco, CA 94108

   Record    42.51%
Large Cap Value Portfolio 5   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    85.46%
Large Cap Value Portfolio   

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Attn: Jill Khashayar

Glenmede Funds

88 Kearny St.

San Francisco, CA 94108

   Record    8.28%

 

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Large Cap Core Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    79.05%
Large Cap Core Portfolio   

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Attn: Jill Khashayar

Glenmede Funds

88 Kearny St.

San Francisco, CA 94108

   Record    11.54%
Long/Short Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    93.63%
Philadelphia International Fund   

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Harborside Financial Center

Plaza 2, 3rd Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07311

   Record    64.94%
Philadelphia International Fund   

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Attn: Jill Khashayar

Glenmede Funds

88 Kearny St.

San Francisco, CA 94108

   Record    20.72%
Philadelphia International Fund   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, INC For the Sole Benefit of its Customers

4800 Deer Lake Drive East

Jacksonville, FL 32246

   Record    11.35%
Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Portfolio   

Entergy Services Inc on Behalf of the Employee Benefits Committee

639 Loyola Ave, 15th Floor

New Orleans, LA 70113

   Beneficial    82.94%
Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Portfolio   

Retirement Board of Allegheny County

Street 542 Forbes Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

   Record    9.91%

 

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Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund   

The Northern Trust Company as Custodian FBO United Steelworkers

PO BOX 92956

Chicago, IL 60675

   Record    39.70%
Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund   

SEI Private Trust Company c/o SunTrust Banks ID866

   Beneficial    25.66%
Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund   

The Oak Hill Fund

206 East High Street

Charlottesville, VA 22902

   Beneficial    9.59%
Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenners & Smith, Inc. FBO of its Clients

4800 DeerLake Drive East

Jacksonville FL 32246

   Record    9.32%
Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund   

City of Bethlehem Aggregated Pension Fund

10 East Church Street

Bethlehem, PA 18018

      6.33%
Secured Options Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    91.68%
Small Cap Equity Portfolio – Adviser Shares   

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Attn: Jill Khashayar

Glenmede Funds

88 Kearny St.

San Francisco, CA 94108

   Record    39.40%
Small Cap Equity Portfolio – Adviser Shares   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record   

31.57%

Small Cap Equity Portfolio – Adviser Shares   

NFS LLC FEBO FIIOC As Agent for Qualified Employee Benefit Plans (401K) FINOPS-IC FUNDS

100 Magellan Way # #KW1C

Covington, KY 41015

   Record    7.20%

 

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Small Cap Equity Portfolio – Institutional Shares   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenners & Smith, Inc. FBO of its Clients

4800 DeerLake Drive East

Jacksonville FL 32246

   Record    60.83%
Small Cap Equity Portfolio – Institutional Shares   

NFS LLC FEBO FIIOC As Agent for Qualified Employee Benefit Plans (401K) FINOPS-IC FUNDS

100 Magellan Way # #KW1C

Covington, KY 41015

   Record    17.42%
Strategic Equity Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    96.69%
Tax Exempt Cash Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    100%
U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio   

Small Cap Growth Fund c/o Glenmede Trust Co

One Liberty Place

1650 Market St Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7311

   Record    96.23%
New Jersey Municipal Portfolio   

The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    100%
Municipal Intermediate Portfolio   

The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    100%
Total Market Portfolio   

Lauer & Co.

c/o The Glenmede Trust Company

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 1200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Record    90.76%

 

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Total Market Portfolio   

Chemical Bank TR FBO Glenmede Trust Co Retirement Pl

4 New York Plaza 4th Fl

New York, NY 10004-2413

   Record    6.67%

As of February 1, 2014, the Directors/Trustees and officers of the Funds collectively owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each of the Funds’ Portfolios.

 

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Dividends and Distributions

Each Portfolio’s policy is to distribute substantially all of its net investment income, if any, together with any net realized capital gains in the amount and at the times that will avoid both income (including capital gains) taxes on it and the imposition of the Federal excise tax on undistributed income and gains. The amounts of any income dividends or capital gains distributions for a Portfolio cannot be predicted.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Funds’ Financial Statements for the Core Fixed Income Portfolio, Government Cash Portfolio, International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large Cap Growth Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Long/Short Portfolio, Muni Intermediate Portfolio, New Jersey Muni Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Secured Options Portfolio, Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Strategic Equity Portfolio, Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio, Total Market Portfolio and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio for the year ended October 31, 2013, and the financial highlights for each of the respective periods presented, appearing in the 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders, and the reports thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, also appearing therein, are incorporated by reference in this SAI. No other parts of the 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated herein.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Funds’ Prospectuses and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the securities offered by the Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectuses and this Statement of Additional Information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other documents referred to 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 Statement of which the Prospectuses and this SAI form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.

 

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

I. Short-Term Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

“A-1” – A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment 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 commitment 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 commitment 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 lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment 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 which 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 commitment 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 Standard & Poor’s 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. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks – Standard & Poor’s issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. An issuer’s foreign currency rating will differ from its local currency rating when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, vs. obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) short-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

“P-1” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

“P-2” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

“P-3” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have 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.

 

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Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. 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. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

“F1” – Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

“F2” – Securities possess good short-term credit quality. This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

“F3” – Securities possess fair short-term credit quality. This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

“B” – Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

“C” – Securities possess 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. Applicable to entity ratings only.

“D” – Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

The DBRS® Ratings Limited (“DBRS”) 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 sub-categories “(high)”, “(middle)”, and “(low)”.

The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for commercial paper and short-term debt:

“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the 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)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of 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)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of 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)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the 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)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be 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 or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

“R-2 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the 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.

 

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“R-3” – Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the 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” – Short-term debt rated “R-4” is considered to be of speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

“R-5” – Short-term debt rated “R-5” is considered to be of 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” – Short-term debt rated “D” is assigned 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 may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

II. Long-Term Credit Ratings

The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

“AAA” – An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment 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 commitment 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 commitment 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 lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment 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 exposures 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 which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment 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 commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment 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 commitment 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 commitment 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 Standard & Poor’s 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 to 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 Standard & Poor’s 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

 

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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. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

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 major rating categories.

“NR” – This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks - Standard & Poor’s issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. An issuer’s foreign currency rating will differ from its local currency rating when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, vs. obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

Moody’s long-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

“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.

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.

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

“AAA” – Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit 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” – Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

“A” – Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit 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.

 

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“BBB” – Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit 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” – Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicate that there is an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

“B” – Securities considered to be highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

“CCC” – A “CCC” rating indicates that substantial credit risk is present.

“CC” – A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.

“C” – A “C” rating indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned “D” ratings, but are instead rated in the “B” to “C” rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Fitch believes that this approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below “CCC”.

The DBRS 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 obligation 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. The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

“AAA” – Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

“AA” – Long-term debt rated “AA” is of 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” – Long-term debt rated “A” is of 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.

“BB” Long-term debt rated “BB” is of speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.

“B” – Long-term debt rated “B” is of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

“CCC”, “CC” and “C” – Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is of 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”A security rated “D” is assigned 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 may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

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III. Municipal Note Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poor’s 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, Standard & Poor’s 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.

Municipal Short-Term Note rating symbols are as follows:

“SP-1” – A municipal note rated “SP-1” exhibits a 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” – A municipal note rated “SP-2” exhibits a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

“SP-3” – A municipal note rated “SP-3” exhibits a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Moody’s uses the Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) scale to rate U.S. municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels – “MIG-1” through “MIG-3” while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated “SG”. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for short-term municipal obligations:

“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.

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation.

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), a two-component rating is assigned: a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG rating scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or “VMIG” scale. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

“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.

 

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“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 an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation.

About Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s 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 Standard & Poor’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

Fitch’s credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested. Fitch’s credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.

DBRS credit ratings are opinions based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of information sourced and received by DBRS, which information is not audited or verified by DBRS. Ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations and they do not address the market price of a security. Ratings may be upgraded, downgraded, placed under review, confirmed and discontinued.

IV. Description of Mortgage-Backed Securities

Mortgage-Related Securities. The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may purchase mortgage-backed securities that are secured by entities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), commercial banks, trusts, financial companies, finance subsidiaries of industrial companies, savings and loan associations, mortgage banks and investment banks. These certificates are in most cases pass-through instruments, through which the holder receives a share of all interest and principal payments from the mortgages underlying the certificate, net of certain fees. The average life of a mortgage-backed security varies with the underlying mortgage instruments, which have maximum maturities of 40 years. The average life is likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying the securities as the result of prepayments, mortgage refinancings or foreclosure. Mortgage prepayment rates are affected by factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions. Such prepayments are passed through to the registered holder with the regular monthly payments of principal and interest and have the effect of reducing future payments.

There are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. Mortgage-related securities guaranteed by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Ginnie Maes”) which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA certificates also are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by Fannie Mae include Fannie Mae guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Fannie Maes”) which are solely the obligations of Fannie Mae, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored organization owned entirely

 

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by private stockholders. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. Mortgage-related securities issued by the Freddie Mac include Freddie Mac Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as “Freddie Macs” or “PCs”). Freddie Mac is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress, which is owned entirely by Federal Home Loan Banks. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Banks and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. Freddie Macs 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.

Investments in U.S. Government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may involve the risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

The extreme and unprecedented volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets during late 2008 and into 2009 have led to increased market concerns about Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s ability to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 6, 2008, both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA has assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to (1) take over the assets of and operate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and conduct all business of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (3) perform all functions of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator. In addition, in connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the U.S. Treasury has entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements with each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which establish the U.S. Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the U.S. Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the U.S. Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and the issuance of this senior preferred stock 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 mortgage-backed securities portfolios, 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 mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. In addition On June 16, 2010, FHFA ordered Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s stock de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange after the price of common stock in Fannie Mae fell below the New York Stock Exchange’s minimum average closing price of $1 for more than 30 days.

In a February 2011 report to Congress from the U.S. Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Obama administration provided a plan to reform the U.S. housing finance market. The plan would reduce the role of and eventually eliminate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Notably, the plan does not propose similar significant changes to GNMA, which guarantees payments on mortgage-related securities backed by federally insured or guaranteed loans such as those issued by the Federal Housing Authority or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The report also identified three proposals for Congress and the administration to consider for the long-term structure of the housing finance markets after the elimination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including implementing: (i) a privatized system of housing finance that limits government insurance to very limited groups of creditworthy low- and moderate-income borrowers; (ii) a privatized system with a government backstop mechanism that would allow the government to insure a larger share of the housing finance market during a future housing crisis; and (iii) a privatized system where the government would offer reinsurance to holders of certain highly-rated mortgage-related securities insured by private insurers and would pay out under the reinsurance arrangements only if the private mortgage insurers were insolvent.

 

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In addition, in August 2012, the U.S. Treasury announced that it had amended the terms of its bailout agreement with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to decrease the holdings of each firm more quickly. Under the amended agreement, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have to turn over all profits they earn every quarter. They will also have to accelerate the reduction of their mortgage holdings to hit a cap of $250 million by 2018, four years earlier than planned. Under the new arrangement, the portfolios of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can be no larger than $650 billion each at the end of 2012.

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities issued or sponsored by both government and non-governmental entities. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are generally backed by pools of conventional (i.e., non-government guaranteed or insured) mortgage loans. Privately-issued mortgage backed securities must have a rating of at least A by S&P or Moody’s or which if unrated, is in the advisor’s opinion equivalent in credit quality to securities so rated. The ratings assigned by a rating organization (e.g., S&P or Moody’s) to privately-issued mortgage-backed securities address the likelihood of the receipt of all distributions on the underlying mortgage loans by the related certificate-holders under the agreements pursuant to which such certificates are issued. A rating organization’s ratings take into consideration the credit quality of the related mortgage pool, including any credit support providers, structural and legal aspects associated with such certificates, and the extent to which the payment stream on such mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required by such certificates. A rating organization’s ratings on such certificates do not, however, constitute a statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the related mortgage loans. Additionally, in order to receive a high quality rating from the rating organizations, privately issued mortgage-backed securities normally are structured with one or more types of “credit enhancement.” Credit enhancement falls generally into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pools of mortgages, the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof, to ensure, subject to certain limitations, that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default relates to the ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. Such credit support can be provided by, among other things, payment guarantees, letters of credit, pool insurance, subordination, or any combination thereof.

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may also invest in multiple class securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) pass-through or participation certificates. CMOs provide an investor with a specified interest in the cash flow from a pool of underlying mortgages or of other mortgage-backed securities. These securities may be issued by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities such as Fannie Mae or sponsored enterprises such as Freddie Mac or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by, and multiple class mortgage-backed securities represent direct ownership interests in, a pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities the payments on which are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple class mortgage-backed securities.

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 guarantees the timely payment of interest on Freddie Mac REMIC certificates 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 level payment, residential mortgages or participations 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 of certain PCs.

CMOs and guaranteed REMIC certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are types of multiple class mortgage-backed securities. Investors may purchase beneficial interests in REMICs, which are known as “regular” interests or “residual” interests. The Funds do not 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-backed securities. The obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the REMIC certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively.

 

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CMOs are issued in multiple classes, each with a specified fixed or floating interest rate and a final scheduled distribution date. In most cases, payments of principal are applied to the CMO classes in order of their respective stated maturities, so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity date are paid in full. These are referred to as “sequential pay” CMOs, or REMIC Certificates. A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Code, and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other permitted investments.

Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC certificates include, among others, “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of 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 sequential pay or parallel 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 that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes or 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 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 other PAC classes.

CMOs may involve additional risks other than those found in other types of mortgage-related obligations. CMOs may exhibit more price volatility and interest rate risk than other types of mortgage-related obligations. During periods of rising interest rates, CMOs may lose their liquidity as CMO market makers may choose not to repurchase, or may offer prices, based on current market conditions, which are unacceptable to the Portfolio based on the Portfolio’s analysis of the market value of the security.

The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may also invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”) (including interest only and principal only securities), which are derivative multiple class mortgage-backed securities. The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may also invest in privately-issued SMBS. Although the market for such securities is increasingly liquid, privately-issued SMBS may not be readily marketable and will be considered illiquid for purposes of the Portfolio’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The advisor may determine that SMBS which are U.S. Government securities are liquid for purposes of the Portfolio’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities.

SMBS are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives 100% of the interest payments and the other that receives 100% of the principal payments from a pool of mortgage loans. If the underlying mortgage loans experience different than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities. The market value of the class consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest from mortgage loans are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.

Because derivative mortgage-backed securities (such as principal-only (POs), interest-only (IOs) or inverse floating rate securities) are more exposed to mortgage prepayments, they generally involve a greater amount of risk. Small changes in prepayments can significantly impact the cash flow and the market value of these securities. The risk of faster than anticipated prepayments generally adversely affects IOs, super floaters and premium priced mortgage-backed securities. The risk of slower than anticipated prepayments generally adversely affects POs, floating-rate securities subject to interest rate caps, support tranches and discount priced mortgage-backed securities. In addition, particular derivative securities may be leveraged such that their exposure (i.e., price sensitivity) to interest rate and/or prepayment risk is magnified.

V. Description of Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-Backed Securities. The Core Fixed Income Portfolio may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities include interests in pools of receivables, such as motor vehicle installment purchase obligations and credit card receivables. Such securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pools of

 

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assets. Such securities may also be debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations and are generally issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities; however, the payment of principal and interest on such obligations may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution (such as a bank or insurance company) unaffiliated with the issuers of such securities.

The purchase of asset-backed securities may raise considerations peculiar to the financing of the instruments underlying such securities. For example, most organizations that issue asset-backed securities relating to motor vehicle installment purchase obligations perfect their interests in the respective obligations only by filing a financing statement and by having the servicer of the obligations, which is usually the originator, take custody thereof. In such circumstances, if the servicer were to sell the same obligations to another party, in violation of its duty not to do so, there is a risk that such party could acquire an interest in the obligations superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. Also, although most of such obligations grant a security interest in the motor vehicle being financed, in most states the security interest in a motor vehicle must be noted on the certificate of title to perfect such security interest against competing claims of other parties. Due to the large number of vehicles involved, however, the certificate of title to each vehicle financed, pursuant to the obligations underlying the asset-backed securities, usually is not amended to reflect the assignment of the seller’s security interest for the benefit of the holders of the asset-backed securities. Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on those securities. In addition, various state and Federal laws give the motor vehicle owner the right to assert against the holder of the owner’s obligation certain defenses such owner would have against the seller of the motor vehicle. The assertion of such defenses could reduce payments on the related asset-backed securities. Insofar as credit card receivables are concerned, credit card holders are entitled to the protection of a number of state and Federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such holders the right to set off certain amounts against balances owed on the credit card, thereby reducing the amounts paid on such receivables. In addition, unlike most other asset-backed securities, credit card receivables are unsecured obligations of the cardholder.

VI. Description of U.S. Government Securities and Certain Other Securities

The term “U.S. Government Securities” refers to a variety of securities which are issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, and by various agencies, authorities and instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the United States Government.

U.S. Treasury securities are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Securities issued or guaranteed by Federal agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises or instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, an investor must look principally to the agency, enterprise or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event the agency, enterprise or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. Agencies which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include the Export Import Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Financing Bank and others. Certain agencies, enterprises and instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association are, in effect, backed by the full faith and credit of the United States through provisions in their charters that they may make “indefinite and unlimited” drawings on the Treasury, if needed to service its debt. Debt from certain other agencies, enterprises and instrumentalities, including the Federal Home Loan Bank and Fannie Mae, are not guaranteed by the United States, but those institutions are protected by the discretionary authority for the U.S. Treasury to purchase certain amounts of their securities to assist the institution in meeting its debt obligations. Finally, other agencies, enterprises and instrumentalities, such as the Farm Credit System and the Freddie Mac, are federally chartered institutions under Government supervision, but their debt securities are backed only by the creditworthiness of those institutions, not the U.S. Government.

Some of the U.S. Government agencies that issue or guarantee securities include the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration and The Tennessee Valley Authority.

An instrumentality of the U.S. Government is a Government agency organized under Federal charter with Government supervision. Instrumentalities issuing or guaranteeing securities include, among others, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Banks, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

On September 7, 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed under the conservatorship of the FHFA. The long-term effect that this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is unclear. For more information about the conservatorship, see “Description of Mortgage-Backed Securities” above.

 

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Investments in U.S. Government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may involve the risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

VII. Description of Municipal Obligations

Municipal Obligations generally include debt obligations issued by states and their political subdivisions, and duly constituted authorities and corporations, to obtain funds to construct, repair or improve various public facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, hospitals, housing, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Municipal Obligations may also be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loan to other public institutions and facilities.

Industrial revenue bonds in most cases are revenue bonds and generally do not have the pledge of the credit of the issuer. The payment of the principal and interest on such industrial revenue bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the user of the facilities financed by the bonds to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment. Short-term municipal obligations issued by states, cities, municipalities or municipal agencies, include Tax Anticipation Notes, Revenue Anticipation Notes, Bond Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and Short-Term Discount Notes. Project Notes are instruments guaranteed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development but issued by a state or local housing agency. While the issuing agency has the primary obligation on Project Notes, they are also secured by the full faith and credit of the United States.

Note obligations with demand or put options may have a stated maturity in excess of 13 months, but permit any holder to demand payment of principal plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days’ notice. Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The issuer of such notes normally has a corresponding right, after a given period, to repay in its discretion the outstanding principal of the note plus accrued interest upon a specific number of days’ notice to the bondholders. The interest rate on a demand note may be based upon a known lending rate, such as a bank’s prime rate, and be adjusted when such rate changes, or the interest rate on a demand note may be a market rate that is adjusted at specified intervals. The demand notes in which the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio will invest are payable on not more than thirteen months notice.

The yields of Municipal Obligations depend on, among other things, general money market conditions, conditions in the Municipal Obligation market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. The ratings of Moody’s and S&P represent their opinions of the quality of the Municipal Obligations rated by them. It should be emphasized that such ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, Municipal Obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields, while Municipal Obligations of the same maturity and coupon, but with different ratings may have the same yield. It will be the responsibility of the advisor to appraise independently the fundamental quality of the bonds held by the Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolio.

Municipal Obligations are sometimes purchased on a “when issued” basis, which means the buyer has committed to purchase certain specified securities at an agreed upon price when they are issued. The period between commitment date and issuance date can be a month or more. It is possible that the securities will never be issued and the commitment cancelled.

From time to time proposals have been introduced before Congress to restrict or eliminate the Federal income tax exemption for interest on Municipal Obligations. Similar proposals may be introduced in the future. If any such proposal were enacted, it might restrict or eliminate the ability of the Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios to achieve their investment objectives. In that event the Funds’ Board members and officers would reevaluate the Tax-Exempt Cash, Muni Intermediate and New Jersey Muni Portfolios’ investment objectives and policies and consider recommending to their shareholders changes in such objectives and policies.

VIII. Foreign Investments

Investors should recognize that investing in foreign companies involves certain special considerations which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. Because the stocks of foreign companies are frequently denominated in foreign currencies, and because the Long/Short, Strategic Equity, International, International Secured Options Portfolio, Small Cap Equity, Large Cap Value, Large Cap Core, Large Cap Growth, Total Market and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolios and Philadelphia

 

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International, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets and Philadelphia International Small Cap Funds may temporarily hold uninvested reserves in bank deposits in foreign currencies, these Portfolios may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations, and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The investment policies of the International Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio, Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund and Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund permit the Portfolios to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to hedge the Portfolio’s holdings and commitments against changes in the level of future currency rates. Such contracts involve an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract.

As foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and they may have policies that are not comparable to those of domestic companies, there may be less information available about certain foreign companies than about domestic companies. Securities of some foreign companies are generally less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S. In addition, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries.

Although the Long/Short, Strategic Equity, International, International Secured Options Portfolio, Small Cap Equity, Large Cap Value, Large Cap Core, Large Cap Growth, Total Market and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolios and Philadelphia International, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets and Philadelphia International Small Cap Funds will endeavor to achieve most favorable execution costs in its portfolio transactions, commissions on many foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges.

Certain foreign governments levy withholding taxes on dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income received from the foreign companies comprising the Long/Short, Strategic Equity, International, International Secured Options Portfolio, Small Cap Equity, Large Cap Value, Large Cap Core, Large Cap Growth, Total Market and U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolios and Philadelphia International Fund, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets and Philadelphia International Small Cap Funds.

IX. Options

For the Long/Short Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Strategic Equity Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio and Secured Options Portfolio, writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment analysis and risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

Purchasing options to attempt to increase return through their price appreciation involves the risk of loss of option premium if the advisor is incorrect in its expectation of the direction or magnitude of the change in securities prices. Writing options to seek to increase income in a Portfolio involves the risk of net loss (after receiving the option premium) if the advisor is incorrect in its expectation of the direction or magnitude of the change in securities prices. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the degree of correlation between the option and a security or index of securities. If the advisor is incorrect in its expectation of changes in securities prices or its estimation of the correlation between the option and a security index, the investment performance of a Portfolio will be less favorable than it would have been in the absence of such options transactions. The use of options may increase a Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate. Higher rates of turnover may result in increased brokerage commissions, and could increase the amount of income received by a Portfolio that constitutes taxable capital gains. To the extent capital gains are realized, distributions from those gains may be ordinary income for Federal tax purposes.

Additionally, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or option traded over-the-counter at any particular time. If a Portfolio is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Portfolio will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the Portfolio is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of the underlying securities.

Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or

 

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unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (v) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

The Long/Short Portfolio, Large Cap Value Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, Strategic Equity Portfolio, International Secured Options Portfolio and Secured Options Portfolio may purchase and sell both options that are traded on exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, each Portfolio will generally treat purchased over-the-counter options as illiquid securities and the assets used to cover over-the-counter options written by the Fund will be considered illiquid unless the over-the-counter options are sold to qualified dealers who agree that the Fund may repurchase any over-the-counter option it writes at a maximum price to be calculated by a formula set forth in the option agreement. The cover for an over-the-counter option written subject to this procedure would be considered illiquid only to the extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.

X. Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts.

To seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates or securities prices, the Long/Short Portfolio, Philadelphia International Emerging Markets Fund, Philadelphia International Small Cap Fund, International Secured Options Portfolio and the Secured Options Portfolio may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on any of such futures contracts. A Portfolio may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to any of such contracts and options. The futures contracts may be based on various securities, securities indices, and any other financial instruments and indices. A Portfolio will engage in futures and related options transactions for hedging purposes as described below or for purposes of seeking to increase total return, in each case, only to the extent permitted by regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. All futures contracts entered into by a Portfolio are traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC or on foreign exchanges.

Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions, which may result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Portfolio may instead make, or take, delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures on securities are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price or rate of return on portfolio securities or securities that a Portfolio proposes to acquire or the exchange rate of currencies in which portfolio securities are quoted or denominated. A Portfolio may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices that would adversely affect the value of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities held by the Portfolio or securities with characteristics similar to those of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities. If, in the opinion of the Advisor, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, the Portfolio may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in the Portfolio’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Advisor will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having the Portfolio enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by seeking to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the Portfolio’s portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.

On other occasions, a Portfolio may take a “long” position by purchasing futures contracts. This would be done, for example, when the Portfolio anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices that are currently available.

 

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APPENDIX B — PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

Glenmede Investment Management LP

Philadelphia International Advisors LP

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.

 

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GLENMEDE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LP

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

There are responsibilities that come with equity ownership. As a shareholder, one is expected to cast informed votes on important issues affecting a company.

II. POLICY

Glenmede’s policy is to conform to the Shareholders Communication Act (17 CFR 240.14-17) with respect to the distribution of proxy material.

Glenmede is responsible for voting all voting securities held in managed or custodial accounts unless otherwise directed by a client. To assist in doing so, Glenmede engages the services of a third party proxy processor, currently RiskMetrics/ISS to evaluate, recommend and vote shares consistent with those recommendations. Glenmede evaluates the summary of RiskMetrics/ISS voting policies annually in order to assure that they are consistent with Glenmede’s views of the long-term interests of clients and investors. RiskMetrics/ISS is provided with holdings information and votes all securities absent some identified conflict; for example, where ISS has a conflict in the vote due to equity ownership in the issuer, where a client has a conflict, or where Glenmede otherwise determines that it is important and in the interest of Glenmede’s investors to vote directly.

Conflicts like the foregoing are managed by the Director of Equity Management. The Chief Compliance Officer shall periodically assure that proxy votes are being made, are properly reconciled, that any conflicts are identified and resolved, and that all votes are consistent with the announced policies.

III. OTHER MATERIAL CONFLICTS

It is anticipated that following the recommendations of the third party proxy voting firm effectively eliminates potential conflicts. If both GIM and RiskMetrics/ISS have a material conflict the Adviser will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients and, except in the case of clients that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), give the clients the opportunity to vote their proxies themselves. In the case of ERISA clients, if the Investment Management Agreement reserves to the ERISA client the authority to vote proxies when the Adviser determines it has a material conflict that affects its best judgment as an ERISA fiduciary, the Adviser will give the ERISA client the opportunity to vote the proxies themselves.

IV. DISCLOSURE

1. The Adviser will disclose in its Form ADV that clients may contact the CCO in order to obtain information on how the Adviser voted such client’s proxies, and to request a copy of these policies and procedures. If a client requests this information, the Compliance Officer will prepare a written response to the client that lists, with respect to each voted proxy about which the client has inquired, (a) the name of the issuer; (b) the proposal voted upon, and (c) how the Adviser voted the client’s proxy.

2. A concise summary of this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures will be included in the Adviser’s Form ADV Part 2A, and will be updated whenever these policies and procedures are updated.

V. RECORDKEEPING

The CCO will periodically assure that the third-party proxy voting service and the Adviser together will maintain appropriate records as required for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made including the following records;

    Copies of this proxy voting policy and procedures, and any amendments thereto;
    A copy (or link to appropriate electronic version) of each proxy statement;
    A record of each vote cast;
    A copy of any document used to memorialize the rationale for the proxy vote;
    A copy of each written client request for information on how the Adviser voted such client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response to any (written or oral) client request for information on how the Adviser voted its proxies.

 

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PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS,

LP PROXY VOTING POLICY

As of January 17, 2014

Overview

Philadelphia International Advisors, LP (“PIA”) has responsibility to see that proxies are appropriately voted. Clients are solicited and records kept indicating whether we are to have discretion in voting proxies or whether they should be voted elsewhere. This is primarily documented via the account agreement. PIA votes all proxies in accordance with its general proxy policy in effect at the time, unless otherwise specifically instructed by the client in writing.

An independent third party proxy service, Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), has been retained by PIA for their fundamental research on the proxy question and subsequent recommendations. Proxies are voted by ISS in accordance with their proxy voting guidelines with the intent of serving the best interests of PIA’s clients. PIA has directed ISS that in the event shares are going to be blocked from trading or otherwise will be restricted in the specific country from the time the vote is cast until the adjournment of the meeting, ISS will abstain from voting.

ISS will inform PIA’s proxy administrator of any proxies that do not fall within the adopted guidelines. PIA’s proxy administrator will send the proxies in question to the appropriate portfolio manager for review, documentation of vote rationale, and signature. In the event the designated portfolio manager is unavailable, the proxy will be forwarded to the CIO for execution.

Proxy Voting Administration

PIA provides ISS with holdings of all accounts that PIA is responsible for voting. ISS has approved guidelines from PIA to ensure that all issues are voted.

Quarterly reports are generated by ISS for each individual account indicating the number of shares and how the shares were voted. The reports are reviewed quarterly.

Conflicts of Interest

PIA has developed this policy to serve the collective interests of our clients, and accordingly, will generally vote pursuant to this policy when conflicts of interest arise. Potential conflicts of interest may arise through business relationships, personal relationships, or familial relationships involving PIA or PIA personnel. When there are proxy voting proposals, however, that give rise to conflicts of interest the proxy shall be voted consistent with the recommendations of ISS provided that PIA believes that such a vote is consistent with the best interests if its clients.

PIA maintains detailed records on proxy voting. PIA clients may obtain information about how their proxies were voted or a copy of appropriate Proxy Voting Reports by contacting Jennifer Hartz (phone: 215-419-6739; email: jennifer.hartz@piadvisors.net).

 

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Transparency. Inclusiveness. Global Expertise.

2014 European Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

December 19, 2013

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.

Copyright © 2013 by ISS

www.issgovernance.com

 

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ISS’2014 European Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

Effective for Meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2014

Published Dec. 19, 2013

The following is a condensed version of the proxy voting recommendations contained in ISS’ European Proxy Voting Manual.

Table of Contents

 

COVERAGE UNIVERSE

     4   

DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS

     5   

1. OPERATIONAL ITEMS

     6   

Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports

     6   

Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees

     6   

Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors

     6   

Allocation of Income

     7   

Amendments to Articles of Association

     7   

Change in Company Fiscal Term

     7   

Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership

     7   

Amend Quorum Requirements

     7   

Transact Other Business

     7   

2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     8   

Non-Contested Director Elections

     8   

Director Terms

     8   

Bundling of Proposal to Elect Directors

     9   

Board Independence

     9   

Exception for Companies with a Majority Shareholder (Excludes Italy and Portugal)

     10   

Disclosure of Names of Nominees

     10   

Combined Chairman/CEO

     10   

Election of a Former CEO as Chairman of the Board

     10   

Overboarded Directors

     11   

Voto di Lista (Italy)

     11   

One Board Seat per Director

     11   

Composition of Committees

     12   

Composition Nomination Committee (Sweden, Norway, and Finland)

     12   

Election of Censors (France)

     13   

ISS Classification of Directors - European Policy 2014

     14   

Contested Director Elections

     15   

Voting on Directors for Egregious Actions

     16   

Committee of Representatives and Corporate Assembly Elections (Denmark and Norway)

     16   

Discharge of Directors

     16   

Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions

     16   

Board Structure

     17   

3. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

     18   

Share Issuance Requests

     18   

General Issuances

     18   

 

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Specific Issuances

     18   

Increases in Authorized Capital

     18   

Reduction of Capital

     19   

Capital Structures

     19   

Preferred Stock

     19   

Debt Issuance Requests

     19   

Pledging of Assets for Debt

     19   

Increase in Borrowing Powers

     20   

Share Repurchase Plans

     20   

Reissuance of Repurchased Shares

     21   

Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value

     21   

4. COMPENSATION

     22   

Compensation Guidelines

     22   

Preamble

     22   

Executive compensation-related proposals

     22   

Non-Executive Director Compensation

     23   

Equity-based compensation Guidelines

     24   

Compensation-Related Voting Sanctions

     24   

Stock Option Plans – Adjustment for Dividend (Nordic Region)

     25   

Share Matching Plans (Sweden and Norway)

     25   

5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

     26   

Voting on Social and Environmental Proposals

     26   

6. OTHER ITEMS

     27   

Reorganizations/Restructurings

     27   

Mergers and Acquisitions

     27   

Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers

     27   

Reincorporation Proposals

     27   

Expansion of Business Activities

     28   

Related-Party Transactions

     28   

Antitakeover Mechanisms

     28   

Shareholder Proposals

     29   

Authority to Reduce Minimum Notice Period for Calling a Meeting

     29   

Auditor Report Including Related Party Transactions (France)

     30   

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER

     31   

 

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COVERAGE UNIVERSE

ISS’ European Policy applies to Member States of the European Union (EU) or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), with the exception of the United Kingdom and Ireland, which are subject to the separate National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) policy. In both cases, European territories that are politically associated with a given Member State are subject to the same policy as that Member State. Other European territories are subject to either ISS’ separate, market-specific policies, or ISS’ EMEA Regional Policy.

Specifically, ISS’ European Policy applies to companies incorporated in the following territories: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

ISS’ approach is not “one-size-fits-all” and takes relevant market-specific factors into account in our research and recommendations. Therefore this document distinguishes in various places between different markets and on the basis of other differentiating factors. These distinctions are based on different market practices and best practice recommendations throughout Europe.

 

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DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS

The term “widely held” refers to companies that ISS designates as such based on their membership in a major index and/or the number of ISS clients holding the securities.

For stylistic purposes, this document may use the adjectival form of country names to refer to companies incorporated or listed in a given market.

 

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1. OPERATIONAL ITEMS

Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports

Vote for approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:

 

    There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or

 

    The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed.

 

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Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees

Vote for proposals to ratify auditors and/or proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless:

 

    There are serious concerns about the procedures used by the auditor;

 

    There is reason to believe that the auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

 

    External auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company;

 

    Name of the proposed auditors has not been published;

 

    The auditors are being changed without explanation; or

 

    Fees for non-audit services exceed standard annual audit-related fees (only applies to companies on the MSCI-EAFE index and/or listed on any country main index).

In circumstances where fees for non-audit services include fees related to significant one-time capital structure events: initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs; and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which are an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit fees.

For concerns relating to the audit procedures, independence of auditors, and/or name of auditors, ISS will target the auditor election. For concerns relating to fees paid to the auditors, ISS will target remuneration of auditors if this is a separate voting item, otherwise ISS would target the auditor election.

 

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Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors

Vote for the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless:

 

    There are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used; or

 

    Questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or

 

    The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.

 

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Allocation of Income

Vote for approval of the allocation of income, unless:

 

    The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or

 

    The payout is excessive given the company’s financial position.

 

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Amendments to Articles of Association

Vote amendments to the articles of association on a case-by-case basis.

 

uuu uu

Change in Company Fiscal Term

Vote for resolutions to change a company’s fiscal term unless a company’s motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM.

 

uuuuu

Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership

Vote against resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below 5 percent unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.

 

uuuuu

Amend Quorum Requirements

Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a case-by-case basis.

 

uuuuu

Transact Other Business

Vote against other business when it appears as a voting item.

 

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2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Non-Contested Director Elections

Vote for management nominees in the election of directors, unless:

 

    Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner;

 

    There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements;

 

    There have been questionable transactions with conflicts of interest;

 

    There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests;

 

    The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards;

 

    There are specific concerns about the individual, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities; and

 

    Repeated absences at board meetings have not been explained (in countries where this information is disclosed).

In addition to these general factors, ISS may recommend against due to concerns related to at least one of the following specific factors, which are presented below as separate subsections:

 

I. Director Terms

 

II. Bundling of Proposals to Elect Directors

 

III. Board independence

 

IV. Disclosure of Names of Nominees

 

V. Combined Chairman/CEO

 

VI. Election of a Former CEO as Chairman of the Board

 

VII. Overboarded Directors

 

VIII. Voto di Lista (Italy)

 

IX. One Board Seat per Director

 

X. Composition of Committees

 

XI. Composition Nominating Committee (Sweden and Norway)

 

XII. Election of Censors (France)

Note that this policy is distinct from ISS’ policy on contested director elections, which is presented as a separate policy item.

Note also that this policy is complemented by three additional policies: “Compensation-Related Voting Sanctions” and “Voting on Directors for Egregious Actions,” which both address a comparatively rare set of additional circumstances, and “Corporate Assembly and Committee of Representatives Elections,” which states how ISS applies its director election policy in Norway and Denmark in cases where the board is not directly elected by shareholders.

Director Terms

For Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland, vote against the election or re-election of any director when his/her term is not disclosed or when it exceeds four years and adequate explanation for non-compliance has not been provided. In these markets, the maximum board terms are either recommended best practice or required by legislation. Under best practice recommendations, companies should shorten the terms for directors when the terms exceed the limits suggested by best practices. The policy will be applied to all companies in these markets, for bundled as well as unbundled items.

Clients will also be advised to vote against article amendment proposals to extend board terms. In cases where a company’s articles provide for a shorter limit and where the company wishes to extend director terms from three or fewer years to four years, for example, ISS will recommend a vote against, based on the general principle that director accountability is maximized by elections with a short period of renewal.

 

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Bundling of Proposal to Elect Directors

For the markets of Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain vote against the election or reelection of any directors if the company proposes a single slate of directors.

In France, unbundled director elections are market practice, in Germany it has been recommended best practice since July 20, 2005, and in Spain it has been recommended best practice since Jan. 1, 2007. The policy will be applied to all companies in these markets.

Bundling together proposals that could be presented as separate voting items is not considered good market practice, because bundled resolutions leave shareholders with an all-or-nothing choice, skewing power disproportionately towards the board and away from shareholders. As director elections are one of the most important voting decisions that shareholders make, directors should be elected individually.

Board Independence

Please see ISS’ European Classification of Directors, presented separately in this document (page Error! Bookmark not defined.), regarding ISS’ classification of the independence status of individual directors.

Note that this section is subject to an exception for companies with a majority shareholder. This exception is presented at the end of this subsection.

For Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland, vote against the election or reelection of any non-independent directors (excluding the CEO) if the proposed board is not at least 50 percent independent. If a nominee cannot be categorized, ISS will consider that person non-independent and include that nominee in the calculation. The policy will apply to widely held companies in these markets.

For Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Luxembourg, ISS will apply the same policy only for those companies that are part of a local main index market index and/or the MSCI-EAFE index.

For widely held companies in Austria and Germany that must by law include labor representatives who are by definition not independent, ISS will require that a minimum of one-third of the total board be independent. For Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish local main index and/or MSCI-EAFE companies, as well as widely-held Hungarian companies, with labor representatives, the above policy will apply to shareholder-elected board members. In addition, ISS will require that one-third of the total board (shareholder-elected members and labor representatives) be independent non-executive directors.

In Portugal, companies that belong to the PSI-20 and/or MSCI-EAFE index will be required to have at least 25 percent of the board independent, as recommended by the Code of Corporate Governance issued by the Portuguese Securities Exchange. ISS will recommend a vote against the entire slate of candidates (bundled elections) or a vote against the election of any non-independent directors (unbundled elections) if board independence level does not meet the recommended 25-percent threshold.

In Italy, for companies that are part of a local main index market index and/or MSCI-EAFE index with a controlling shareholder, companies will be required to have a board consisting of at least one-third independent members (33 percent), and, for all other companies, at least half of the board should be independent (50 percent).

For Greece, vote against the election or reelection of any non-independent directors if the proposed board is not at least one-third independent (as defined by ISS’ director classification guidelines). If elections are bundled and the proposed board is not at least one-third independent, vote against the entire slate. If a nominee cannot be categorized, ISS will assume that person is non-independent and include that nominee in the calculation. This policy will be applied to widely held companies incorporated in Greece.

 

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Exception for Companies with a Majority Shareholder (Excludes Italy and Portugal)

For companies with a majority shareholder, generally vote against the election or reelection of any non-independent directors (excluding the CEO) if the level of independence on the board will be lower than minority shareholders’ percentage of equity ownership, or if the board will be less than one-third independent (whichever is higher).

Minority shareholders’ ownership percentage is calculated by subtracting the majority shareholder’s equity ownership percentage from 100 percent. Majority control is defined in terms of economic interest and not voting rights, and is considered to be any shareholder or group of shareholders acting collectively that control at least 50 percent + 1 share of the company’s equity capital.

This independence threshold is applied to controlled widely held companies or main index-listed/MSCI-EAFE member companies which would otherwise fall under a 50-percent independence guideline as described in the Board Independence Policy.

Carve Out: In markets where the local corporate governance code addresses board independence at controlled companies, ISS will generally recommend against the election or reelection of any non-independent directors (excluding the CEO) if the level of independence on the board is lower than the local code recommendation, but in any case if the level of board independence is below one-third.

Disclosure of Names of Nominees

Vote against the election or reelection of any and all director nominees when the names of the nominees are not available at the time the ISS analysis is being written. This policy will be applied to all companies in these markets, for bundled and unbundled items.

Combined Chairman/CEO

Generally, vote against (re)election of combined chair/CEOs at widely held European companies.

However, when the company provides assurance that the chair/CEO would only serve in the combined role on an interim basis (no more than two years), with the intent of separating the roles within a given time frame, considerations should be given to these exceptional circumstances. In this respect, the vote recommendation would be made on a case-by-case basis. In order for ISS to consider a favorable vote recommendation for a combined chair/CEO to serve on an interim basis, the company would need to provide adequate control mechanisms on the board (such as a lead independent director, a high overall level of board independence, and a high level of independence on the board’s key committees).

This policy will be applied to all widely held European companies that propose the (re)election of a combined chair/CEO to the board, including cases where the chair/CEO is included in an election by slate.

Election of a Former CEO as Chairman of the Board

Generally vote against the election or reelection of a former CEO as chairman to the supervisory board or board of directors at widely held companies in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. In markets such as Germany, where the general meeting only elects the nominees and, subsequently, the new board’s chairman, ISS will generally recommend a vote against the election or election of a former CEO, unless the company has publicly confirmed prior to the general meeting that he will not proceed to become chairman of the board.

Considerations should be given to any of the following exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis if:

 

    There are compelling reasons that justify the election or reelection of a former CEO as chairman; or

 

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    The former CEO is proposed to become the board’s chairman only on an interim or temporary basis; or

 

    The former CEO is proposed to be elected as the board’s chairman for the first time after a reasonable cooling-off period; or

 

    The board chairman will not receive a level of compensation comparable to the company’s executives nor assume executive functions in markets where this is applicable.

Overboarded Directors

In Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland, at widely held companies, ISS will generally recommend a vote against a candidate when s/he holds an excessive number of board appointments, as referenced by the more stringent of the provisions prescribed in local law or best practice governance codes, or the following guidelines:

 

    Executive directors are expected not to hold other executive or chairmanship positions. They may, however, hold up to two other non-executive directorships.

 

    Non-executive chairmen are expected not to hold executive positions elsewhere or more than one other chairmanship position. They may, however, hold up to three other non-executive directorships.

 

    Non-executive directors who do not hold executive or chairmanship positions may hold up to four other non-executive directorships.

An adverse vote recommendation will not be applied to a director within a company where he/she serves as CEO or chair; instead, any adverse vote recommendations will be applied to his/her additional seats on other company boards.

ISS will take into account board positions held in global publicly listed companies.

For directors standing for (re)election at French companies, ISS will take into account board appointments as censors in French publicly listed companies.

Voto di Lista (Italy)

In Italy, director elections generally take place through the voto di lista mechanism (similar to slate elections). Since the Italian implementation of the European Shareholder Rights Directive (effective since Nov. 1, 2010), issuers must publish the various lists 21 days in advance of the meeting.

Since shareholders only have the option to support one such list, where lists are published in sufficient time, ISS will recommend a vote on a case-by-case basis, determining which list of nominees it considers is best suited to add value for shareholders based, as applicable, on ISS European policies for Director Elections and for Contested Director Elections.

Those companies that are excluded from the provisions of the European Shareholder Rights Directive publish lists of nominees 10 days before the meeting. In the case where nominees are not published in sufficient time, ISS will recommend a vote against the director elections before the lists of director nominees are disclosed. Once the various lists of nominees are disclosed, ISS will issue an alert to its clients and, if appropriate, change its vote recommendation to support one particular list.

One Board Seat per Director

In cases where a director holds more than one board seat on a single board and the corresponding votes, manifested as one seat as a physical person plus an additional seat(s) as a representative of a legal entity, vote against the election/reelection of such legal entities and in favor of the physical person.

However, an exception is made if the representative of the legal entity holds the position of CEO. In such circumstances, ISS will typically recommend a vote in favor of the legal entity and against the election/reelection of the physical person.

 

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While such occurrences are rare, there have been cases where a board member may have multiple board seats and corresponding votes. Holding several board seats concurrently within one board increases this person’s direct influence on board decisions and creates an inequality among board members.

This situation has manifested in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. This is not a good corporate governance practice, as it places disproportionate influence and control in one person.

Composition of Committees

In Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, vote against the (re)election of executives who serve on the company’s audit or remuneration committee. ISS may recommend against if the disclosure is too poor to determine whether an executive serves or will serve on a committee. If a company does not have an audit or a remuneration committee, ISS may consider that the entire board fulfills the role of a committee. In such case, ISS may recommend against the executives, including the CEO, up for election to the board.

For Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, vote against the (re)election of non-independent members of the audit committee and/or the remuneration committee if their (re)election would lead to a non-independent majority on the respective committee.

These policies apply only to companies for which ISS includes overall board independence as a factor in its analysis of board elections.

Markets where local corporate governance codes prescribe specific composition requirements are assessed in accordance with compliance with their local codes. More stringent requirements are applied to those markets where local corporate governance codes prescribe more robust composition requirements.

Separation of power is one of the fundamental tenets of good corporate governance. The primary objective of the board is to provide independent oversight of executive management, and because board committees are entrusted with carrying out crucial functions for this purpose, such as assessing the veracity of the independent audit and carrying out board succession planning, it is important that committees be sufficiently independent of management. The presence of executive directors on audit and compensation committees represents clear and widely recognized conflicts of interest. Executive audit committee members may compromise the integrity of the independent audit, and the presence of executives on the compensation committee means that executives are allowed to select the directors who determine their pay. Corporate governance codes in a number of European markets have already introduced amendments in recent years which recommend majority independence on key committees such as the audit and remuneration committees, and even the outright ban of executive members on these committees, and this policy is intended to reflect these code recommendations as well as market practice.

Composition Nomination Committee (Sweden, Norway, and Finland)

Vote for proposals in Sweden, Norway, and Finland to elect or appoint a nominating committee consisting mainly of non-board members.

Vote for shareholder proposals calling for disclosure of the names of the proposed candidates at the meeting, as well as the inclusion of a representative of minority shareholders in the committee.

The above policy notwithstanding, vote against proposals in Sweden to elect or appoint such a committee if the company is on the MSCI-EAFE or local main index and the following conditions exist:

1. A member of the executive management would be a member of the committee;

2. More than one board member who is dependent on a major shareholder would be on the committee; or

3. The chair of the board would also be the chair of the committee.

 

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In cases where the principles for the establishment of the nominating committee, rather than the election of the committee itself, are being voted on, vote against the adoption of the principles if any of the above conditions are met for the current committee, and there is no publicly available information indicating that this would no longer be the case for the new nominating committee.

Election of Censors (France)

For widely held companies, ISS will generally recommend a vote against proposals seeking shareholder approval to elect a censor, to amend bylaws to authorize the appointment of censors, or to extend the maximum number of censors to the board.

However, ISS will recommend a vote on a case-by-case basis when the company provides assurance that the censor would serve on a short-term basis (maximum one year) with the intent to retain the nominee before his/her election as director. In this case, consideration shall also be given to the nominee’s situation (notably overboarding or other factors of concern).

In consideration of the principle that censors should be appointed on a short-term basis, vote against any proposal to renew the term of a censor or to extend the statutory term of censors.

 

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ISS Classification of Directors - European Policy 2014

Executive Director

 

    Employee or executive of the company;

 

    Any director who is classified as a non-executive, but receives salary, fees, bonus, and/or other benefits that are in line with the highest-paid executives of the company.

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (NED)

 

    Any director who is attested by the board to be a non-independent NED;

 

    Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant shareholder of the company;

 

    Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder of the company;

 

    Any director who is nominated by a dissenting significant shareholder unless there is a clear lack of material4 connection with the dissident, either currently or historically;

 

    Beneficial owner (direct or indirect) of at least 10 percent of the company’s stock, either in economic terms or in voting rights (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a defined group, e.g., members of a family that beneficially own less than 10 percent individually, but collectively own more than 10 percent), unless market best practice dictates a lower ownership and/or disclosure threshold (and in other special market-specific circumstances);

 

    Government representative;

 

    Currently provides (or a relative¹ provides) professional services2 to the company, to an affiliate of the company, or to an individual officer of the company or of one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year;

 

    Represents customer, supplier, creditor, banker, or other entity with which the company maintains a transactional/commercial relationship (unless the company discloses information to apply a materiality test3);

 

    Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with executive directors or the chairman of the company;

 

    Relative¹ of a current or former executive of the company or its affiliates;

 

    A new appointee elected other than by a formal process through the general meeting (such as a contractual appointment by a substantial shareholder);

 

    Founder/co-founder/member of founding family but not currently an employee;

 

    Former executive (five-year cooling off period);

 

    Excessive years of service from date of first appointment, as determined by the EC Recommendation 2005/162/EC, local corporate governance codes, or local best practice, is generally a determining factor in evaluating director independence.4 ;

 

    Any additional relationship or principle considered to compromise independence under local corporate governance best practice guidance.

Independent NED

 

    Not classified as non-independent by ISS (see above);

 

    No material5 connection, either direct or indirect, to the company (other than a board seat) or to a significant shareholder.

Employee Representative

 

    Represents employees or employee shareholders of the company (classified as “employee representative” and considered a non-independent NED).

Footnotes

 

1  “Relative” follows the definition of “immediate family members” which covers spouses, parents, children, stepparents, step-children, siblings, in-laws, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director, executive officer, or significant shareholder of the company.

 

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2 Professional services can be characterized as advisory in nature and generally include the following: investment banking/financial advisory services; commercial banking (beyond deposit services); investment services; insurance services; accounting/audit services; consulting services; marketing services; and legal services. The case of participation in a banking syndicate by a non-lead bank should be considered a transaction (and hence subject to the associated materiality test) rather than a professional relationship.
3  A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding transactions) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is equivalent to either 1 percent of the company’s turnover or 1 percent of the turnover of the company or organization with which the director is associated; or

A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding financing operations) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is more than 10 percent of the company’s shareholder equity or the transaction value (of all outstanding financing operations) compared to the company’s total assets is more than 5 percent.

 

4  For example, the EC recommendation 2005/162/EC’s definition of independence provides that in order to remain independent, a non-executive director shall have served on the [supervisory] board for no more than 12 years. For countries governed by ISS’ European policy, ISS will follow the EC recommendation and apply stricter tenure limits where recommended by local corporate governance codes or established by local best practice.
5 For purposes of ISS’ director independence classification, “material” will be defined as a standard of relationship (financial, personal, or otherwise) that a reasonable person might conclude could potentially influence one’s objectivity in the boardroom in a manner that would have a meaningful impact on an individual’s ability to satisfy requisite fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders.

 

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Contested Director Elections

For contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, ISS will make its recommendation on a case-by-case basis, determining which directors are considered best suited to add value for shareholders.

The analysis will generally be based on, but not limited to, the following major decision factors:

 

    Company performance relative to its peers;

 

    Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents;

 

    Independence of directors/nominees;

 

    Experience and skills of board candidates;

 

    Governance profile of the company;

 

    Evidence of management entrenchment;

 

    Responsiveness to shareholders;

 

    Whether a takeover offer has been rebuffed;

 

    Whether minority or majority representation is being sought.

When analyzing a contested election of directors, ISS will generally focus on two central questions: (1) Have the proponents proved that board change is warranted? And if so, (2) Are the proponent board nominees likely to effect positive change (i.e., maximize long-term shareholder value).

 

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Voting on Directors for Egregious Actions

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against or withhold from directors individually, on a committee, or the entire board, due to:

 

    Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;

 

    Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

 

    Egregious actions related to the director(s)’service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

 

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Committee of Representatives and Corporate Assembly Elections (Denmark and Norway)

For Norwegian and Danish companies where shareholders vote on elections for members of the corporate assembly or committee of representatives, but not directly on the board of directors, vote case-by-case on corporate assembly and committee of representative elections based on the board of directors’ compliance with ISS’ director election policy.

 

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Discharge of Directors

Vote for the discharge of directors, including members of the management board and/or supervisory board, unless there is reliable information about significant and compelling concerns that the board is not fulfilling its fiduciary duties, warranted on a case-by-case basis, by:

 

    A lack of oversight or actions by board members which invoke shareholder distrust related to malfeasance or poor supervision, such as operating in private or company interest rather than in shareholder interest;

 

    Any legal issues (e.g. civil/criminal) aiming to hold the board responsible for breach of trust in the past or related to currently alleged action yet to be confirmed (and not only in the fiscal year in question) such as price fixing, insider trading, bribery, fraud, and other illegal actions;

 

    Other egregious governance issues where shareholders will bring legal action against the company or its directors.

For markets which do not routinely request discharge resolutions (e.g. common law countries or markets where discharge is not mandatory), analysts may voice concern in other appropriate agenda items, such as approval of the annual accounts or other relevant resolutions, to enable shareholders to express discontent with the board.

 

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Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions

Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a case-by-case basis.

Vote against proposals to indemnify external auditors.

 

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Board Structure

Vote for routine proposals to fix board size.

Vote against the introduction of classified boards and/or mandatory retirement ages for directors.

Vote against proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board.

 

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3. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Share Issuance Requests

General Issuances

Vote for issuance authorities with pre-emptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued capital and as long as the share issuance authorities’ periods are clearly disclosed (or implied by the application of a legal maximum duration) and in line with market-specific practices and/or recommended guidelines (e.g. issuance periods limited to 18 months for the Netherlands).

Vote for issuance authorities without pre-emptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent (or a lower limit if local market best practice recommendations provide) of currently issued capital as long as the share issuance authorities’ periods are clearly disclosed (or implied by the application of a legal maximum duration) and in line with market-specific practices and/or recommended guidelines (e.g. issuance periods limited to 18 months for the Netherlands).

For French companies, vote for general issuance requests with pre-emptive rights, or without pre-emptive rights but with a binding “priority right,” for a maximum of 50 percent over currently issued capital.

For French companies, generally vote for general authorities to issue shares without preemptive rights up to a maximum of 10 percent of share capital.

Specific Issuances

Vote on a case-by-case basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights.

 

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Increases in Authorized Capital

Vote for non-specific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding.

Vote for specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless:

 

    The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet ISS guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or

 

    The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.

Vote against proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.

 

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Reduction of Capital

Vote for proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders.

Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Capital Structures

Vote for resolutions that seek to maintain, or convert to, a one-share, one-vote capital structure.

Vote against requests for the creation or continuation of dual-class capital structures or the creation of new or additional super voting shares.

 

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Preferred Stock

Vote for the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.

Vote for the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS’ guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote against the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares.

Vote against the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.

Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Debt Issuance Requests

Vote non-convertible debt issuance requests on a case-by-case basis, with or without pre-emptive rights.

Vote for the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS’ guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote for proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders.

 

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Pledging of Assets for Debt

Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Increase in Borrowing Powers

Vote proposals to approve increases in a company’s borrowing powers on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Share Repurchase Plans

ISS will generally recommend for market repurchase authorities (share repurchase programs) if the terms comply with the following criteria:

 

    A repurchase limit of up to 10 percent of outstanding issued share capital;

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    Duration of no more than 5 years, or such lower threshold as may be set by applicable law, regulation, or code of governance best practice.

Authorities to repurchase shares in excess of the 10 percent repurchase limit will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. ISS may support such share repurchase authorities under special circumstances, which are required to be publicly disclosed by the company, provided that, on balance, the proposal is in shareholders’ interests. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”);, and

 

    Duration of no more than 18 months.

In markets where it is normal practice not to provide a repurchase limit, ISS will evaluate the proposal based on the company’s historical practice. However, ISS expects companies to disclose such limits and, in the future, may recommend a vote against companies that fail to do so. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    Duration of no more than 18 months.

In addition, ISS will recommend against any proposal where:

 

    The repurchase can be used for takeover defenses;

 

    There is clear evidence of abuse;

 

    There is no safeguard against selective buybacks;

 

    Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.

Market-Specific Exceptions

For Italy and Germany, vote for share-repurchase plans and share reissuance plans that would use call and put options if the following criteria are met:

 

    The duration of the authorization is limited in time to no more than 18 months;

 

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    The total number of shares covered by the authorization is disclosed;

 

    The number of shares that would be purchased with call options and/or sold with put options is limited to a maximum of 5 percent of currently outstanding capital (or half of the total amounts allowed by law in Italy and Germany);

 

    A financial institution, with experience conducting sophisticated transactions, is indicated as the party responsible for the trading; and

 

    The company has a clean track record regarding repurchases.

 

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Reissuance of Repurchased Shares

Vote for requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past.

 

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Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value

Vote for requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value.

 

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4. COMPENSATION

Compensation Guidelines

Preamble

The assessment of compensation follows the ISS Global Principles on Executive and Director Compensation which are detailed below. These principles take into account global corporate governance best practice.

The ISS Global Principles on Compensation underlie market-specific policies in all markets:

 

  1. Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures;

 

  2. Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment with emphasis on long-term shareholder value;

 

  3. Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure;”

 

  4. Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee;

 

  5. Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors.

In line with European Commission Recommendation 2004/913/EC, ISS believes that seeking annual shareholder approval for a company’s compensation policy is a positive corporate governance provision.

In applying the Five Global Principles, ISS has formulated European Compensation Guidelines which take into account local codes of governance, market best practice, and the Recommendations published by the European Commission. ISS analyzes compensation-related proposals based on the role of the beneficiaries and has therefore divided its executive and director compensation policy into two domains:

 

   I. Executive compensation-related proposals; and

 

  II. Non-executive director compensation-related proposals

Executive compensation-related proposals

ISS will evaluate management proposals seeking ratification of a company’s executive compensation-related items on a case-by-case basis, and will generally recommend a vote against a company’s compensation-related proposal if such proposal fails to comply with one or a combination of several of the global principles and their corresponding rules:

 

  1. Provide shareholders with clear and comprehensive compensation disclosures:

 

  1.1. Information on compensation-related proposals shall be made available to shareholders in a timely manner;

 

  1.2. The level of disclosure of the proposed compensation policy shall be sufficient for shareholders to make an informed decision and shall be in line with what local market best practice standards dictate;

 

  1.3. Companies shall adequately disclose all elements of the compensation, including:

 

  1.3.1. Any short- or long-term compensation component must include a maximum award limit.

 

  1.3.2. Long-term incentive plans must provide sufficient disclosure of (i) the exercise price/strike price (options); (ii) discount on grant; (iii) grant date/period; (iv) exercise/vesting period; and, if applicable, (v) performance criteria.

 

  1.3.3. Discretionary payments, if applicable.

 

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  2. Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment with emphasis on long-term shareholder value:

 

  2.1. The structure of the company’s short-term incentive plan shall be appropriate.

 

  2.1.1. The compensation policy must notably avoid guaranteed or discretionary compensation.

 

  2.2. The structure of the company’s long-term incentives shall be appropriate, including, but not limited to, dilution, vesting period, and, if applicable, performance conditions.

 

  2.2.1. Equity-based plans or awards that are linked to long-term company performance will be evaluated using ISS’ general policy for equity-based plans; and

 

  2.2.2. For awards granted to executives, ISS will generally require a clear link between shareholder value and awards, and stringent performance-based elements.

 

  2.3. The balance between short- and long-term variable compensation shall be appropriate

 

  2.3.1. The company’s executive compensation policy must notably avoid disproportionate focus on short-term variable element(s)

 

  3. Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”:

 

  3.1. The board shall demonstrate good stewardship of investor’s interests regarding executive compensation practices.

 

  3.1.1. There shall be a clear link between the company’s performance and variable awards.

 

  3.1.2. There shall not be significant discrepancies between the company’s performance and real executive payouts.

 

  3.1.3. The level of pay for the CEO and members of executive management should not be excessive relative to peers, company performance, and market practices.

 

  3.1.4. Significant pay increases shall be explained by a detailed and compelling disclosure.

 

  3.2. Severance pay agreements must not be in excess of (i) 24 months’ pay or of (ii) any more restrictive provision pursuant to local legal requirements and/or market best practices.

 

  3.3. Arrangements with a company executive regarding pensions and post-mandate exercise of equity-based awards must not result in an adverse impact on shareholders’ interests or be misaligned with good market practices.

 

  4. Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee:

 

  4.1. No executives may serve on the compensation committee.

 

  4.2. In certain markets the compensation committee shall be composed of a majority of independent members, as per ISS policies on director election and board or committee composition.

In addition to the above, ISS will generally recommend a vote against a compensation-related proposal if such proposal is in breach of any other supplemental market-specific ISS voting policies.

Non-Executive Director Compensation

 

  5. Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors.

ISS will generally recommend a vote for proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors, and will otherwise:

Recommend a vote against where:

Documents (including general meeting documents, annual report) provided prior to the general meeting do not mention fees paid to non-executive directors.

Proposed amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry.

The company intends to increase the fees excessively in comparison with market/sector practices, without stating compelling reasons that justify the increase.

Proposals provide for the granting of stock options, or similarly structured equity-based compensation, to non-executive directors.

Proposals introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.

 

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And recommend a vote on a case-by-case basis where:

Proposals include both cash and share-based components to non-executive directors.

Proposals bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a single resolution.

Equity-based compensation Guidelines

ISS will generally recommend a vote for equity based compensation proposals for employees if the plan(s) are in line with long-term shareholder interests and align the award with shareholder value. This assessment includes, but is not limited to, the following factors:

The volume of awards transferred to participants must not be excessive: the potential volume of fully diluted issued share capital from equity-based compensation plans must not exceed the following ISS guidelines:

The shares reserved for all share plans may not exceed 5 percent of a company’s issued share capital, except in the case of high-growth companies or particularly well-designed plans, in which case we allow dilution of between 5 and 10 percent: in this case, we will need to have performance conditions attached to the plans which should be acceptable under ISS criteria (challenging criteria);

The plan(s) must be sufficiently long-term in nature/structure: the minimum vesting period must be no less than three years from date of grant;

The awards must be granted at market price. Discounts, if any, must be mitigated by performance criteria or other features that justify such discount.

If applicable, performance standards must be fully disclosed, quantified, and long-term, with relative performance measures preferred.

 

    Market-specific provisions for France:

 

    The potential volume from equity-based compensation plans must not exceed 10 percent of fully diluted issued share capital.

 

    In addition, for companies that refer to the AFEP-MEDEF Code, all awards (including stock options and warrants) to executives shall be conditional upon challenging performance criteria or premium pricing. For companies referring to the Middlenext Code (or not referring to any code) at least part of the awards to executives shall be conditional upon performance criteria or premium pricing. In both cases, free shares shall remain subject to performance criteria for all beneficiaries.

Finally, for large- and mid-cap companies, the company’s average three year unadjusted burn rate (or, if lower, on the maximum volume per year implied by the proposal made at the general meeting) must not exceed the mean plus one standard deviation of its sector but no more than one percentage point from the prior year sector cap.

 

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Compensation-Related Voting Sanctions

Should a company be deemed to have egregious remuneration practices (as a result of one or a combination of several factors highlighted above) and has not followed market practice by submitting a resolution on executive compensation, vote against other “appropriate” resolutions as a mark of discontent against such practices.

 

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An adverse vote recommendation could be applied to any of the following on a case-by case basis:

1. The (re)election of members of the remuneration committee;

2. The discharge of directors; or

3. The annual report and accounts.

Failure to propose a resolution on executive compensation to shareholders in a market where this is routine practice may, by itself, lead to one of the above adverse vote recommendations regardless of the companies remuneration practices.

 

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Stock Option Plans – Adjustment for Dividend (Nordic Region)

Vote against stock option plans in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden if evidence is found that they contain provisions that may result in a disconnect between shareholder value and employee/executive reward.

This includes one or a combination of the following:

 

    Adjusting the strike price for future ordinary dividends AND including expected dividend yield above 0 percent when determining the number of options awarded under the plan;

 

    Having significantly higher expected dividends than actual historical dividends;

 

    Favorably adjusting the terms of existing options plans without valid reason; and/or

 

    Any other provisions or performance measures that result in undue award.

This policy applies to both new plans and amendments to introduce the provisions into already existing stock option plans. ISS will make an exception if a company proposes to reduce the strike price by the amount of future special (extraordinary) dividends only.

Generally vote against if the potential increase of share capital amounts to more than 5 percent for mature companies or 10 percent for growth companies or if options may be exercised below the market price of the share at the date of grant, or that employee options do not lapse if employment is terminated.

 

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Share Matching Plans (Sweden and Norway)

ISS considers the following factors when evaluating share matching plans:

 

    For every share matching plan, ISS requires a holding period.

 

    For plans without performance criteria, the shares must be purchased at market price.

 

    “For broad-based share matching plans directed at all employees, ISS accepts an arrangement up to a 1:1 ratio, i.e. no more than one free share is awarded for every share purchased at market value.

 

    In addition, for plans directed at executives, we require that sufficiently challenging performance criteria be attached to the plan. Higher discounts demand proportionally higher performance criteria.

The dilution of the plan when combined with the dilution from any other proposed or outstanding employee stock purchase/stock matching plans, must comply with ISS’ guidelines.

 

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5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Voting on Social and Environmental Proposals

Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short-term or long-term.

ISS will generally recommend a vote on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and in addition the following will be considered:

 

    If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;

 

    If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

 

    Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope, timeframe, or cost) or overly prescriptive;

 

    The company’s approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;

 

    If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and

 

    If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

 

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6. OTHER ITEMS

Reorganizations/Restructurings

Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following:

For every M&A analysis, ISS reviews publicly available information as of the date of the report and evaluates the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

 

    Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, ISS places emphasis on the offer premium, market reaction, and strategic rationale.

 

    Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction will cause ISS to scrutinize a deal more closely.

 

    Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.

 

    Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? ISS will consider whether any special interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger.

 

    Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

Vote against if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to allow shareholders to make an informed voting decision.

 

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Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers

Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Reincorporation Proposals

Vote reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Expansion of Business Activities

Vote for resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into risky areas.

 

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Related-Party Transactions

In evaluating resolutions that seek shareholder approval on related-party transactions (RPTs), vote on a case-by-case basis, considering factors including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    The parties on either side of the transaction;

 

    The nature of the asset to be transferred/service to be provided;

 

    The pricing of the transaction (and any associated professional valuation);

 

    The views of independent directors (where provided);

 

    The views of an independent financial adviser (where appointed);

 

    Whether any entities party to the transaction (including advisers) is conflicted; and

 

    The stated rationale for the transaction, including discussions of timing.

If there is a transaction that ISS deemed problematic and that was not put to a shareholder vote, ISS may recommend against the election of the director involved in the related-party transaction or the full board.

 

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Antitakeover Mechanisms

Generally vote against all antitakeover proposals, unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.

For the Netherlands, vote recommendations regarding management proposals to approve protective preference shares will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In general, ISS will recommend voting for protective preference shares (PPS) only if:

 

    The supervisory board needs to approve an issuance of shares and the supervisory board is independent within the meaning of ISS’ categorization rules (ISS’ European Director Independence Guidelines) and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (i.e. a maximum of one member can be non-independent);

 

    No call / put option agreement exists between the company and a foundation for the issuance of PPS;

 

    The issuance authority is for a maximum of 18 months;

 

    The board of the company-friendly foundation is fully independent;

 

    There are no priority shares or other egregious protective or entrenchment tools;

 

    The company states specifically that the issue of PPS is not meant to block a takeover, but will only be used to investigate alternative bids or to negotiate a better deal;

 

    The foundation buying the PPS does not have as a statutory goal to block a takeover; and

 

    The PPS will be outstanding for a period of maximum 6 months (an EGM must be called to determine the continued use of such shares after this period).

 

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Shareholder Proposals

Vote all shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis.

Vote for proposals that would improve the company’s corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost.

Vote against proposals that limit the company’s business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit.

Note that policies dealing with environmental and social themes are covered by their own dedicated policy, presented separately in this document.

 

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Authority to Reduce Minimum Notice Period for Calling a Meeting

A recommendation to approve the “enabling” authority proposal would be on the basis that ISS would generally expect companies to call EGMs/GMs using a notice period of less than 21 days only in limited circumstances where a shorter notice period will be to the advantage of shareholders as a whole, for example, to keep a period of uncertainty about the future of the company to a minimum. This is particularly true of capital raising proposals or other price sensitive transactions. By definition, AGMs, being regular meetings of the company, should not merit a notice period of less than 21 days.

In a market where local legislation permits an EGM/GM to be called at no less than 14-day’s notice, ISS will generally recommend in favor of a resolution to approve the enabling authority if the company discloses that the shorter notice period of between 20 and 14 days would not be used as a matter of routine for such meetings, but only when the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting. Where the proposal(s) at a given EGM/GM is (are) not time-sensitive, such as the approval of incentive plans, ISS would not expect a company to invoke the shorter notice notwithstanding any prior approval of the enabling authority proposal by shareholders.

In evaluating an enabling authority proposal, ISS would first require that the company make a clear disclosure of its compliance with any hurdle conditions for the authority imposed by applicable law, such as the provision of an electronic voting facility for shareholders. In addition, with the exception of the first AGM at which approval of the enabling authority is sought following implementation of the European Shareholder Rights Directive, when evaluating an enabling authority proposal ISS will take into consideration the company’s use (if any) of shorter notice periods in the preceding year to ensure that such shorter notice periods were invoked solely in connection with genuinely time-sensitive matters. Where the company has not limited its use of the shorter notice periods to such time sensitive-matters and fails to provide a clear explanation for this, ISS will consider a vote against the enabling authority for the coming year.

 

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Auditor Report Including Related Party Transactions (France)

ISS will review all auditor reports on related-party transactions and screen for and evaluate agreements with respect to the following issues:

 

    Director Remuneration (including Severance Packages and Pension Benefits)

 

    Consulting Services

 

    Liability Coverage

 

    Certain Business Transactions

In general, ISS expects companies to provide the following regarding related-party transactions:

 

    Adequate disclosure of terms under listed transactions (including individual details of any severance, consulting, or other remuneration agreements with directors and for any asset sales and/or acquisitions);

 

    Sufficient justification on transactions that appear to be unrelated to operations and/or not in shareholders’ best interests;

 

    Fairness opinion (if applicable in special business transactions); and

 

    Any other relevant information that may affect or impair shareholder value, rights, and/or judgment.

In the event that the company fails to provide an annual report in a timely manner, generally at least 21 days prior to the meeting, ISS will recommend votes against these proposals.

 

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER

This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the “Information”) is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.

The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits) or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

 

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Transparency. Inclusiveness. Global Expertise.

2014 Asia-Pacific Regional Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

December 19, 2013

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.

Copyright © 2013 by ISS

www.issgovernance.com

 

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ISS’ 2014 Asia-Pacific Regional Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

Effective for Meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2014

Published Dec. 19, 2013

The following is a condensed version of the proxy voting recommendations contained in ISS’ Asia-Pacific Regional Proxy Voting Manual. Note that Asia-Pacific markets covered in this document exclude markets which have separate stand-alone market policies, which are Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. OPERATIONAL ITEMS

     4   

Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports

     4   

Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees

     4   

Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors

     4   

Allocation of Income

     4   

Amendments to Articles of Association

     5   

Change in Company Fiscal Term

     5   

Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership

     5   

Amend Quorum Requirements

     5   

Transact Other Business

     5   

2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     6   

Director Elections

     6   

ISS Classification of Directors – Asia-Pacific Regional Policy 2014

     8   

Contested Director Elections

     9   

Discharge of Directors

     9   

Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions

     10   

Board Structure

     10   

3. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

     11   

Share Issuance Requests

     11   

General Issuances

     11   

Specific Issuances

     11   

Increases in Authorized Capital

     11   

Reduction of Capital

     11   

Capital Structures

     11   

Preferred Stock

     11   

Debt Issuance Requests

     12   

Pledging of Assets for Debt

     12   

Increase in Borrowing Powers

     12   

Share Repurchase Plans

     12   

Reissuance of Repurchased Shares

     13   

Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value

     13   

4. COMPENSATION

     14   

Compensation Plans

     14   

Director Compensation

     14   

5. OTHER ITEMS

     15   

Reorganizations/Restructurings

     15   

Mergers and Acquisitions

     15   

 

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Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers

     15   

Reincorporation Proposals

     15   

Expansion of Business Activities

     15   

Related-Party Transactions

     16   

Antitakeover Mechanisms

     16   

Shareholder Proposals

     16   

Social/Environmental Issues

     17   

6. FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUERS LISTED ON U.S. EXCHANGES

     18   

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER

     19   

 

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1. OPERATIONAL ITEMS

Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports

Vote for the approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:

 

    There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or

 

    The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed.

 

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Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees

Vote for the (re)election of auditors and/or proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless:

 

    There are serious concerns about the accounts presented or the audit procedures used;

 

    The auditors are being changed without explanation; or

 

    Non-audit-related fees are substantial or are routinely in excess of standard annual audit-related fees.

In circumstances where fees for non-audit services include fees related to significant one-time capital structure events (initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergencies, and spinoffs) and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees, which are an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit fees.

For concerns related to the audit procedures, independence of auditors, and/or name of auditors, ISS may recommend against the auditor (re)election. For concerns related to fees paid to the auditors, ISS may recommend against remuneration of auditors if this is a separate voting item; otherwise ISS may recommend against the auditor election.

 

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Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors

Vote for the appointment or (re)election of statutory auditors, unless:

 

    There are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used;

 

    Questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or

 

    The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.

 

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Allocation of Income

Vote for approval of the allocation of income, unless:

 

    The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or

 

    The payout is excessive given the company’s financial position.

 

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Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative

Vote for most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.

Vote against proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

 

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Amendments to Articles of Association

Vote amendments to the articles of association on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Change in Company Fiscal Term

Vote for resolutions to change a company’s fiscal term unless a company’s motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM.

 

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Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership

Vote against resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below 5 percent unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.

 

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Amend Quorum Requirements

Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Transact Other Business

Vote against other business when it appears as a voting item.

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2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Director Elections

Vote for management nominees in the election of directors, unless:

 

    Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner;

 

    There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements;

 

    There have been questionable transactions with conflicts of interest;

 

    There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; or

 

    The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards.

Vote for individual nominees unless there are specific concerns about the individual, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities.

Vote against individual directors if repeated absences at board meetings have not been explained (in countries where this information is disclosed).

For Malaysia and Thailand, vote for the election of a board-nominated candidate unless:

 

    He or she has attended less than 75 percent of board and key committee meetings over the most recent year, without satisfactory explanation. Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following:

 

    Medical issues/illness;

 

    Family emergencies;

 

    The director has served on the board for less than a year; and

 

    Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).

 

    He or she is an executive director serving on the audit, remuneration, or nomination committees; or

 

    He or she is a non-independent director nominee and the board is less than one-third independent under ISS classification of directors.

In making these recommendations, ISS generally will not recommend against the election of a CEO, managing director, executive chairman, or founder who is integral to the company.

For Philippines, where independent directors represent less than the higher of: three independent directors or 30 percent of the board, recommend against the following candidates:

 

    An executive director with exception of the CEO; or

 

    One non-executive non-independent director who represents a substantial shareholder where the number of seats held by the representatives is disproportionate to its holdings in the company

In accordance with local standards, in determining whether the required percentage of independent directors is satisfied, the total number of directors is multiplied by 30 percent and the product is rounded down to the nearest whole number. For example, a thirteen-director board with three independent directors satisfies the board independence requirement, even though the board is only 21.4-percent independent.

Vote on a case-by-case basis for contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, determining which directors are best suited to add value for shareholders.

Vote for employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee and are required by law to be on those committees. Vote against employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee, if they are not required to be on those committees.

 

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Vote against the election of directors at all companies if the name(s) of the nominee(s) is not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting.

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against individual directors, members of a committee, or the entire board, due to:

 

    Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;

 

    Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

 

    Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

 

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[Please see the ISS Asia-Pacific Regional Classification of Directors on the following page.]

 

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ISS Classification of Directors – Asia-Pacific Regional Policy 2014

Executive Director

 

    Employee or executive of the company;

 

    Any director who is classified as a non-executive, but receives salary, fees, bonus, and/or other benefits that are in line with the highest-paid executives of the company.

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (NED)

 

    Any director who is attested by the board to be a non-independent NED;

 

    Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant shareholder of the company;

 

    Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder of the company;

 

    Any director who is nominated by a dissenting significant shareholder, unless there is a clear lack of material[5] connection with the dissident, either currently or historically;

 

    Beneficial owner (direct or indirect) of at least 10 percent of the company’s stock, either in economic terms or in voting rights (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a defined group, e.g., family members who beneficially own less than 10 percent individually, but collectively own more than 10 percent), unless market best practice dictates a lower ownership and/or disclosure threshold (and in other special market-specific circumstances);

 

    Government representative;

 

    Currently provides (or a relative[1] provides) professional services[2] to the company, to an affiliate of the company, or to an individual officer of the company or of one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year;

 

    Represents customer, supplier, creditor, banker, or other entity with which the company maintains transactional/commercial relationship (unless company discloses information to apply a materiality test[3]);

 

    Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with executive directors or the chairman of the company;

 

    Relative[1] of a current employee of the company or its affiliates;

 

    Relative[1] of a former executive of the company or its affiliates;

 

    A new appointee elected other than by a formal process through the General Meeting (such as a contractual appointment by a substantial shareholder);

 

    Founder/co-founder/member of founding family but not currently an employee;

 

    Former executive (five-year cooling off period);

 

    Years of service is generally not a determining factor unless it is recommended best practice in a market and/or in extreme circumstances, in which case it may be considered.[4]

 

    Any additional relationship or principle considered to compromise independence under local corporate governance best practice guidance.

Independent NED

 

    No material[5] connection, either directly or indirectly, to the company (other than a board seat) or the dissenting significant shareholder.

Employee Representative

 

    Represents employees or employee shareholders of the company (classified as “employee representative” but considered a non-independent NED).

Footnotes:

 

[1] “Relative” follows the definition of “immediate family members” which covers spouses, parents, children, stepparents, step-children, siblings, in-laws, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director, executive officer, or significant shareholder of the company.

 

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[2] Professional services can be characterized as advisory in nature and generally include the following: investment banking/financial advisory services; commercial banking (beyond deposit services); investment services; insurance services; accounting/audit services; consulting services; marketing services; and legal services. The case of participation in a banking syndicate by a non-lead bank should be considered a transaction (and hence subject to the associated materiality test) rather than a professional relationship.
[3] A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding transactions) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is equivalent to either 1 percent of the company’s turnover or 1 percent of the turnover of the company or organization with which the director is associated. OR, A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding financing operations) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is more than 10 percent of the company’s shareholder equity or the transaction value, (of all outstanding financing operations), compared to the company’s total assets, is more than 5 percent.
[4] For example, in continental Europe, directors with a tenure exceeding 12 years will be considered non-independent. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore, directors with a tenure exceeding nine years will be considered non-independent, unless the company provides sufficient and clear justification that the director is independent despite his long tenure.
[5] For purposes of ISS’ director independence classification, “material” will be defined as a standard of relationship financial, personal, or otherwise that a reasonable person might conclude could potentially influence one’s objectivity in the boardroom in a manner that would have a meaningful impact on an individual’s ability to satisfy requisite fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders.

 

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Contested Director Elections

For contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, ISS will make its recommendation on a case-by-case basis, determining which directors are best suited to add value for shareholders.

The analysis will generally be based on, but not limited to, the following major decision factors:

 

    Company performance relative to its peers;

 

    Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents;

 

    Independence of directors/nominees;

 

    Experience and skills of board candidates;

 

    Governance profile of the company;

 

    Evidence of management entrenchment;

 

    Responsiveness to shareholders;

 

    Whether a takeover offer has been rebuffed;

 

    Whether minority or majority representation is being sought.

When analyzing a contested election of directors, ISS will generally focus on two central questions: (1) Have the dissidents proved that board change is warranted? And (2) if so, are the dissident board nominees likely to effect positive change (i.e., maximize long-term shareholder value).

 

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Discharge of Directors

Generally vote for the discharge of directors, including members of the management board and/or supervisory board, unless there is reliable information about significant and compelling controversies as to whether the board is fulfilling its fiduciary duties, as evidenced by:

 

    A lack of oversight or actions by board members that invoke shareholder distrust related to malfeasance or poor supervision, such as operating in private or company interest rather than in shareholder interest; or

 

    Any legal proceedings (either civil or criminal) aiming to hold the board responsible for breach of trust in the past or related to currently alleged actions yet to be confirmed (and not only the fiscal year in question), such as price fixing, insider trading, bribery, fraud, and other illegal actions; or

 

    Other egregious governance issues where shareholders will bring legal action against the company or its directors.

 

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For markets that do not routinely request discharge resolutions (e.g. common law countries or markets where discharge is not mandatory), analysts may voice concern in other appropriate agenda items, such as approval of the annual accounts or other relevant resolutions, to enable shareholders to express discontent with the board.

 

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Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions

Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a case-by-case basis.

Vote against proposals to indemnify external auditors.

 

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Board Structure

Vote for proposals to fix board size.

Vote against the introduction of classified boards and mandatory retirement ages for directors.

Vote against proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board.

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3. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Share Issuance Requests

General Issuances

Vote for issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued capital.

Vote for issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of currently issued capital.

Specific Issuances

Vote on a case-by-case basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights.

 

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Increases in Authorized Capital

Vote for non-specific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding.

Vote for specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless:

 

    The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet ISS guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or

 

    The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.

Vote against proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.

 

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Reduction of Capital

Vote for proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders.

Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Capital Structures

Vote for resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure.

Vote against requests for the creation or continuation of dual-class capital structures or the creation of new or additional super voting shares.

 

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Preferred Stock

Vote for the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.

 

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Vote for the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote against the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares.

Vote against the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.

Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Debt Issuance Requests

Vote non-convertible debt issuance requests on a case-by-case basis, with or without preemptive rights.

Vote for the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote for proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders.

 

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Pledging of Assets for Debt

Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Increase in Borrowing Powers

Vote proposals to approve increases in a company’s borrowing powers on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Share Repurchase Plans

Generally vote for market repurchase authorities (share repurchase programs) if the terms comply with the following criteria:

 

    A repurchase limit of up to 10 percent of outstanding issued share capital;

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    A duration of no more than five years, or such lower threshold as may be set by applicable law, regulation or code of governance best practice.

Authorities to repurchase shares in excess of the 10 percent repurchase limit will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. ISS may support such share repurchase authorities under special circumstances, which are required to be publicly disclosed by the company, provided that, on balance, the proposal is in shareholders’ interests. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    A duration of no more than 18 months.

In markets where it is normal practice not to provide a repurchase limit, ISS will evaluate the proposal based on the company’s historical practice. However, ISS expects companies to disclose such limits and, in the future, may recommend a vote against companies that fail to do so. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

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    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    A duration of no more than 18 months.

In addition, ISS will recommend against any proposal where:

 

    The repurchase can be used for takeover defenses;

 

    There is clear evidence of abuse;

 

    There is no safeguard against selective buybacks; and/or

 

    Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.

 

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Reissuance of Repurchased Shares

Vote for requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past.

 

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Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value

Vote for requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value.

 

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4. COMPENSATION

Compensation Plans

Vote compensation plans on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Director Compensation

Vote for proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors unless the amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry.

Vote non-executive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based components on a case-by-case basis.

Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a single resolution on a case-by-case basis.

Vote against proposals to introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.

 

uuuuu

 

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5. OTHER ITEMS

Reorganizations/Restructurings

Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following:

For every M&A analysis, ISS reviews publicly available information as of the date of the report and evaluates the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

 

    Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, ISS places emphasis on the offer premium, market reaction, and strategic rationale.

 

    Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction will cause ISS to scrutinize a deal more closely.

 

    Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.

 

    Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? ISS will consider whether any special interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger.

 

    Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

Vote against if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to make an informed voting decision.

 

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Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers

Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Reincorporation Proposals

Vote reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Expansion of Business Activities

Vote for resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into risky areas.

 

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Related-Party Transactions

In evaluating resolutions that seek shareholder approval on related-party transactions (RPTs), vote on a case-by-case basis, considering factors including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    The parties on either side of the transaction;

 

    The nature of the asset to be transferred/service to be provided;

 

    The pricing of the transaction (and any associated professional valuation);

 

    The views of independent directors (where provided);

 

    The views of an independent financial adviser (where appointed);

 

    Whether any entities party to the transaction (including advisers) is conflicted; and

 

    The stated rationale for the transaction, including discussions of timing.

If there is a transaction that ISS deemed problematic and that was not put to a shareholder vote, ISS may recommend against the election of the director(s) involved in the related-party transaction or against the full board.

 

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Antitakeover Mechanisms

Generally vote against all antitakeover proposals, unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.

 

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Shareholder Proposals

Vote all shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis.

Vote for proposals that would improve the company’s corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost.

Vote against proposals that limit the company’s business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit.

 

uuu uu

 

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Social/Environmental Issues

Global Approach

Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor covered standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short term or long term.

Generally vote case-by-case, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and in addition the following will be considered:

 

    If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;

 

    If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

 

    Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope, timeframe, or cost) or overly prescriptive;

 

    The company’s approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;

 

    If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and

 

    If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

 

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6. Foreign Private Issuers Listed on U.S. Exchanges

Foreign private issuers (“FPIs”) are defined as companies whose business is administered principally outside the U.S., with more than 50 percent of assets located outside the U.S.; a majority of whose directors/officers are not U.S. citizens or residents; and a majority of whose outstanding voting shares are held by non-residents of the U.S.

Companies that are incorporated outside of the U.S. and listed solely on U.S. exchanges, where they qualify as FPIs, will be subject to the following policy:

Vote against (or withhold from) non-independent director nominees at companies which fail to meet the following criteria: a majority-independent board, and the presence of an audit, a compensation, and a nomination committee, each of which is entirely composed of independent directors.

Where the design and disclosure levels of equity compensation plans are comparable to those seen at U.S. companies, U.S. compensation policy will be used to evaluate the compensation plan proposals. In all other cases, equity compensation plans will be evaluated according to ISS’ Asia-Pacific Regional Proxy Voting Guidelines.

All other voting items will be evaluated using the relevant ISS regional or market proxy voting guidelines.

 

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER

This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the “Information”) is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.

The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits) or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

 

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Transparency. Inclusiveness. Global Expertise.

2014 EMEA Regional Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

December 19, 2013

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.

Copyright © 2013 by ISS

www.issgovernance.com

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ISS’ 2014 EMEA Regional Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

Effective for Meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2014

Published December 19, 2013

The following is a condensed version of the proxy voting recommendations contained in ISS’ EMEA Regional Proxy Voting Manual. Note that these guidelines cover all markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) that are not covered under a separate market-specific or region-specific ISS policy. Therefore, markets covered by this document exclude UK, Ireland, Russia, Kazakhstan, and South Africa, and all markets that are covered under ISS’ European Policy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. OPERATIONAL ITEMS

     4   

Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports

     4   

Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees

     4   

Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors

     4   

Allocation of Income

     4   

Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative

     5   

Amendments to Articles of Association

     5   

Change in Company Fiscal Term

     5   

Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership

     5   

Amend Quorum Requirements

     5   

Transact Other Business

     5   

2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     6   

Director Elections

     6   

ISS Classification of Directors – EMEA Regional Policy 2014

     7   

Contested Director Elections

     8   

Discharge of Directors

     8   

Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions

     9   

Board Structure

     9   

3. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

     10   

Share Issuance Requests

     10   

General Issuances

     10   

Specific Issuances

     10   

Increases in Authorized Capital

     10   

Reduction of Capital

     10   

Capital Structures

     10   

Preferred Stock

     10   

Debt Issuance Requests

     11   

Pledging of Assets for Debt

     11   

Increase in Borrowing Powers

     11   

Share Repurchase Plans

     11   

Reissuance of Repurchased Shares

     12   

Capitalization of

     12   

4. COMPENSATION

     13   

Compensation Plans

     13   

 

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Director Compensation

     13   

5. OTHER ITEMS

     14   

Reorganizations/Restructurings

     14   

Mergers and Acquisitions

     14   

Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers

     14   

Reincorporation Proposals

     14   

Expansion of Business Activities

     14   

Related-Party Transactions

     15   

Antitakeover Mechanisms

     15   

Shareholder Proposals

     15   

SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

     16   

Global Approach

     16   

6. FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUERS LISTED ON U.S. EXCHANGES

     17   

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER

     18   

 

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1. OPERATIONAL ITEMS

Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports

Vote for the approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:

 

    There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or

 

    The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed.

 

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Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees

Vote for the (re)election of auditors and/or proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless:

 

    There are serious concerns about the procedures used by the auditor;

 

    There is reason to believe that the auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

 

    External auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company;

 

    The name(s) of the proposed auditors has not been published;

 

    The auditors are being changed without explanation; or

 

    Fees for non-audit services exceed standard annual audit-related fees (only applies to companies on the MSCI EAFE index and/or listed on any country main index).

In circumstances where fees for non-audit services include fees related to significant one-time capital structure events (initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergencies, and spinoffs) and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees, which are an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit fees.

For concerns related to the audit procedures, independence of auditors, and/or name of auditors, ISS may recommend against the auditor (re)election. For concerns related to fees paid to the auditors, ISS may recommend against remuneration of auditors if this is a separate voting item; otherwise, ISS may recommend against the auditor election.

 

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Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors

Vote for the appointment or (re)election of statutory auditors, unless:

 

    There are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used;

 

    Questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or

 

    The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.

 

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Allocation of Income

Vote for approval of the allocation of income, unless:

 

    The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or

 

    The payout is excessive given the company’s financial position.

 

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Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative

Vote for most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.

Vote against proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

 

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Amendments to Articles of Association

Vote amendments to the articles of association on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Change in Company Fiscal Term

Vote for resolutions to change a company’s fiscal term unless a company’s motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM.

 

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Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership

Vote against resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below 5 percent unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.

 

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Amend Quorum Requirements

Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Transact Other Business

Vote against other business when it appears as a voting item.

 

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2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Director Elections

Vote for management nominees in the election of directors, unless:

 

  1. Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner;

 

  2. There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements;

 

  3. There have been questionable transactions with conflicts of interest;

 

  4. There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; or

 

  5. The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards.

Vote for individual nominees unless there are specific concerns about the individual, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities.

Vote against individual directors if repeated absences at board meetings have not been explained (in countries where this information is disclosed).

Vote on a case-by-case basis for contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, determining which directors are best suited to add value for shareholders.

Vote for employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee and are required by law to be on those committees. Vote against employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee, if they are not required to be on those committees.

Vote against the election of directors at all companies if the name of the nominee is not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting.

Grace period: Vote for the election of directors at all Polish companies and non-index Turkish companies in 2013 even if nominee names are not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting, but include cautionary language. Beginning in 2014, vote against the election of directors at all Polish companies and non-index Turkish companies if nominee names are not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting.

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against individual directors, members of a committee, or the entire board, due to:

 

  6. Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;

 

  7. Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

 

  8. Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

 

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[Please see the ISS EMEA Regional Classification of Directors on the following page.]

 

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ISS Classification of Directors – EMEA Regional Policy 2014

Executive Director

 

    Employee or executive of the company;

 

    Any director who is classified as a non-executive, but receives salary, fees, bonus, and/or other benefits that are in line with the highest-paid executives of the company.

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (NED)

 

    Any director who is attested by the board to be a non-independent NED;

 

    Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant shareholder of the company;

 

    Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder of the company;

 

    Any director who is nominated by a dissenting significant shareholder, unless there is a clear lack of material[5] connection with the dissident, either currently or historically;

 

    Beneficial owner (direct or indirect) of at least 10 percent of the company’s stock, either in economic terms or in voting rights (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a defined group, e.g., family members who beneficially own less than 10 percent individually, but collectively own more than 10 percent), unless market best practice dictates a lower ownership and/or disclosure threshold (and in other special market-specific circumstances);

 

    Government representative;

 

    Currently provides (or a relative[1] provides) professional services[2] to the company, to an affiliate of the company, or to an individual officer of the company or of one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year;

 

    Represents customer, supplier, creditor, banker, or other entity with which company maintains transactional/commercial relationship (unless company discloses information to apply a materiality test[3]);

 

    Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with executive directors or the chairman of the company;

 

    Relative[1] of a current or former executive of the company or its affiliates;

 

    A new appointee elected other than by a formal process through the General Meeting (such as a contractual appointment by a substantial shareholder);

 

    Founder/co-founder/member of founding family but not currently an employee;

 

    Former executive (five-year cooling off period);

 

    Years of service is generally not a determining factor unless it is recommended best practice in a market and/or in extreme circumstances, in which case it may be considered.[4]

 

    Any additional relationship or principle considered to compromise independence under local corporate governance best practice guidance.

Independent NED

 

    No material[5] connection, either directly or indirectly, to the company (other than a board seat) or a significant shareholder.

Employee Representative

 

    Represents employees or employee shareholders of the company (classified as “employee representative” but considered a non-independent NED).

Footnotes:

 

[1] “Relative” follows the definition of “immediate family members” which covers spouses, parents, children, stepparents, step-children, siblings, in-laws, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director, executive officer, or significant shareholder of the company.
[2] Professional services can be characterized as advisory in nature and generally include the following: investment banking/financial advisory services; commercial banking (beyond deposit services); investment services; insurance services; accounting/audit services; consulting services; marketing services; and legal services. The case of participation in a banking syndicate by a non-lead bank should be considered a transaction (and hence subject to the associated materiality test) rather than a professional relationship.

 

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[3] A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding transactions) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is equivalent to either 1 percent of the company’s turnover or 1 percent of the turnover of the company or organization with which the director is associated. OR, A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding financing operations) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is more than 10 percent of the company’s shareholder equity or the transaction value, (of all outstanding financing operations), compared to the company’s total assets, is more than 5 percent.
[4] For example, in continental Europe, directors with a tenure exceeding 12 years will be considered non-independent. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, and Singapore, directors with a tenure exceeding nine years will be considered non-independent, unless the company provides sufficient and clear justification that the director is independent despite his/her long tenure.
[5] For purposes of ISS’ director independence classification, “material” will be defined as a standard of relationship financial, personal, or otherwise that a reasonable person might conclude could potentially influence one’s objectivity in the boardroom in a manner that would have a meaningful impact on an individual’s ability to satisfy requisite fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders.

 

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Contested Director Elections

For contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, ISS will make its recommendation on a case-by-case basis, determining which directors are best suited to add value for shareholders.

The analysis will generally be based on, but not limited to, the following major decision factors:

 

    Company performance relative to its peers;

 

    Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents;

 

    Independence of directors/nominees;

 

    Experience and skills of board candidates;

 

    Governance profile of the company;

 

    Evidence of management entrenchment;

 

    Responsiveness to shareholders;

 

    Whether a takeover offer has been rebuffed;

 

    Whether minority or majority representation is being sought.

When analyzing a contested election of directors, ISS will generally focus on two central questions: (1) Have the dissidents proved that board change is warranted? And (2) if so, are the dissident board nominees likely to effect positive change (i.e., maximize long-term shareholder value).

 

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Discharge of Directors

Generally vote for the discharge of directors, including members of the management board and/or supervisory board, unless there is reliable information about significant and compelling controversies as to whether the board is fulfilling its fiduciary duties, as evidenced by:

 

  9. A lack of oversight or actions by board members that invoke shareholder distrust related to malfeasance or poor supervision, such as operating in private or company interest rather than in shareholder interest; or

 

  10. Any legal proceedings (either civil or criminal) aiming to hold the board responsible for breach of trust in the past or related to currently alleged actions yet to be confirmed (and not only the fiscal year in question), such as price fixing, insider trading, bribery, fraud, and other illegal actions; or

 

  11. Other egregious governance issues where shareholders will bring legal action against the company or its directors.

 

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For markets that do not routinely request discharge resolutions (e.g. common law countries or markets where discharge is not mandatory), investors may voice concern in other appropriate agenda items, such as approval of the annual accounts or other relevant resolutions, to enable shareholders to express discontent with the board.

 

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Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions

Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a case-by-case basis.

Vote against proposals to indemnify external auditors.

 

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Board Structure

Vote for proposals to fix board size.

Vote against the introduction of classified boards and mandatory retirement ages for directors.

Vote against proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board.

 

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3. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Share Issuance Requests

General Issuances

Vote for issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued capital.

Vote for issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of currently issued capital.

Specific Issuances

Vote on a case-by-case basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights.

 

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Increases in Authorized Capital

Vote for non-specific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding.

Vote for specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless:

 

    The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet ISS guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or

 

    The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.

Vote against proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.

 

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Reduction of Capital

Vote for proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders.

Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Capital Structures

Vote for resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure.

Vote against requests for the creation or continuation of dual-class capital structures or the creation of new or additional super-voting shares.

 

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Preferred Stock

Vote for the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.

 

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Vote for the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote against the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares.

Vote against the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.

Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Debt Issuance Requests

Vote non-convertible debt issuance requests on a case-by-case basis, with or without preemptive rights.

Vote for the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote for proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders.

 

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Pledging of Assets for Debt

Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Increase in Borrowing Powers

Vote proposals to approve increases in a company’s borrowing powers on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Share Repurchase Plans

Generally vote for market repurchase authorities (share repurchase programs) if the terms comply with the following criteria:

 

    A repurchase limit of up to 10 percent of outstanding issued share capital (15 percent in U.K./Ireland);

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    A duration of no more than five years, or such lower threshold as may be set by applicable law, regulation, or code of governance best practice.

Authorities to repurchase shares in excess of the 10 percent repurchase limit will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. ISS may support such share repurchase authorities under special circumstances, which are required to be publicly disclosed by the company, provided that, on balance, the proposal is in shareholders’ interests. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    A duration of no more than 18 months.

In markets where it is normal practice not to provide a repurchase limit, evaluate the proposal based on the company’s historical practice. However, companies should disclose such limits and, in the future, a vote against may be warranted at companies that fail to do so. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

    A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

 

    A duration of no more than 18 months.

 

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In addition, vote against any proposal where:

 

    The repurchase can be used for takeover defenses;

 

    There is clear evidence of abuse;

 

    There is no safeguard against selective buybacks; and/or

 

    Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.

 

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Reissuance of Repurchased Shares

Vote for requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past.

 

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Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value

Vote for requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value.

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4. COMPENSATION

Compensation Plans

Vote compensation plans on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Director Compensation

Vote for proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors unless the amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry.

Vote non-executive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based components on a case-by-case basis.

Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a single resolution on a case-by-case basis.

Vote against proposals to introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.

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5. OTHER ITEMS

Reorganizations/Restructurings

Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following:

For every M&A analysis, ISS reviews publicly available information as of the date of the report and evaluates the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

 

    Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, ISS places emphasis on the offer premium, market reaction, and strategic rationale.

 

    Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction will cause ISS to scrutinize a deal more closely.

 

    Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.

 

    Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? ISS will consider whether any special interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger.

 

    Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

Vote against if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to make an informed voting decision.

 

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Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers

Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Reincorporation Proposals

Vote reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Expansion of Business Activities

Vote for resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into risky areas.

 

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Related-Party Transactions

In evaluating resolutions that seek shareholder approval on related-party transactions (RPTs), vote on a case-by-case basis, considering factors including, but not limited to, the following:

 

  12. The parties on either side of the transaction;

 

  13. The nature of the asset to be transferred/service to be provided;

 

  14. The pricing of the transaction (and any associated professional valuation);

 

  15. The views of independent directors (where provided);

 

  16. The views of an independent financial adviser (where appointed);

 

  17. Whether any entities party to the transaction (including advisers) is conflicted; and

 

  18. The stated rationale for the transaction, including discussions of timing.

If there is a transaction that ISS deemed problematic and that was not put to a shareholder vote, ISS may recommend against the election of the director involved in the related-party transaction or the full board.

 

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Antitakeover Mechanisms

Generally vote against all antitakeover proposals, unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.

 

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Shareholder Proposals

Vote all shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis.

Vote for proposals that would improve the company’s corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost.

Vote against proposals that limit the company’s business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit.

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Social/Environmental Issues

Global Approach

Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor covered standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short term or long term.

Generally vote case-by-case, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and in addition the following will be considered:

 

  19. If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;

 

  20. If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

 

  21. Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope, timeframe, or cost) or overly prescriptive;

 

  22. The company’s approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;

 

  23. If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and

 

  24. If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

 

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6. Foreign Private Issuers Listed on U.S. Exchanges

Foreign private issuers (“FPIs”) are defined as companies whose business is administered principally outside the U.S., with more than 50 percent of assets located outside the U.S.; a majority of whose directors/officers are not U.S. citizens or residents; and a majority of whose outstanding voting shares are held by non-residents of the U.S.

Companies that are incorporated outside of the U.S. and listed solely on U.S. exchanges, where they qualify as FPIs, will be subject to the following policy:

Vote against (or withhold from) non-independent director nominees at companies which fail to meet the following criteria: a majority-independent board, and the presence of an audit, a compensation, and a nomination committee, each of which is entirely composed of independent directors.

Where the design and disclosure levels of equity compensation plans are comparable to those seen at U.S. companies, U.S. compensation policy will be used to evaluate the compensation plan proposals. In all other cases, equity compensation plans will be evaluated according to ISS’ EMEA Regional Proxy Voting Guidelines.

All other voting items will be evaluated using the relevant ISS regional or market proxy voting guidelines.

 

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER

This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the “Information”) is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.

The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits) or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

 

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2014 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

December 19, 2013

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.

Copyright © 2013 by ISS

www.issgovernance.com

 

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ISS’ 2014 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

The policies contained herein are a sampling of select, key proxy voting guidelines and are not exhaustive. A full listing of ISS’ 2014 proxy voting guidelines can be found at: http://www.issgovernance.com/policy/2014/policy_information

Routine/Miscellaneous

Auditor Ratification

Vote for proposals to ratify auditors unless any of the following apply:

 

  25. An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent;

 

  26. There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

 

  27. Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP, or material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures; or

 

  28. Fees for non-audit services (“Other” fees) are excessive.

Non-audit fees are excessive if:

 

  29. Non-audit (“other”) fees > audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation fees

 

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Board of Directors:

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Four fundamental principles apply when determining votes on director nominees:

 

  1. Accountability

 

  2. Responsiveness

 

  3. Composition

 

  4. Independence

Generally vote for director nominees, except under the following circumstances:

 

1. Accountability

Vote against1 or withhold from the entire board of directors (except new nominees2, who should be considered case-by-case) for the following:

Problematic Takeover Defenses

Classified Board Structure:

 

  1.1. The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election. All appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable.

 

 

1  In general, companies with a plurality vote standard use “Withhold” as the contrary vote option in director elections; companies with a majority vote standard use “Against”. However, it will vary by company and the proxy must be checked to determine the valid contrary vote option for the particular company.
2  A “new nominee” is any current nominee who has not already been elected by shareholders and who joined the board after the problematic action in question transpired. If ISS cannot determine whether the nominee joined the board before or after the problematic action transpired, the nominee will be considered a “new nominee” if he or she joined the board within the 12 months prior to the upcoming shareholder meeting.

 

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Director Performance Evaluation:

 

  1.2. The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company’s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). Take into consideration the company’s five-year total shareholder return and operational metrics. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to:

A classified board structure;

A supermajority vote requirement;

Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections or a majority vote standard with no plurality carve-out for contested elections;

The inability of shareholders to call special meetings;

The inability of shareholders to act by written consent;

A dual-class capital structure; and/or

A non–shareholder-approved poison pill.

Poison Pills:

 

  1.3. The company’s poison pill has a “dead-hand” or “modified dead-hand” feature. Vote against or withhold from nominees every year until this feature is removed;

 

  1.4. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months (“long-term pill”), or renews any existing pill, including any “short-term” pill (12 months or less), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year, and such companies with annually elected boards at least once every three years, and vote against or withhold votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill; or

 

  1.5. The board makes a material adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval.

Vote case-by-case on all nominees if:

 

  1.6. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term pill”) without shareholder approval, taking into account the following factors:

 

    The date of the pill’s adoption relative to the date of the next meeting of shareholders—i.e. whether the company had time to put the pill on ballot for shareholder ratification given the circumstances;

 

    The issuer’s rationale;

 

    The issuer’s governance structure and practices; and

 

    The issuer’s track record of accountability to shareholders.

Problematic Audit-Related Practices

Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the Audit Committee if:

 

  1.7. The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under “Auditor Ratification”);

 

  1.8. The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or

 

  1.9. There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

 

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Vote case-by-case on members of the Audit Committee, and potentially the full board, if:

 

  1.10. Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud, misapplication of GAA; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence, and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether withhold/against votes are warranted.

Problematic Compensation Practices/Pay for Performance Misalignment

In the absence of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation ballot item or in egregious situations, vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee, and potentially the full board, if:

 

  1.11. There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);

 

  1.12. The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;

 

  1.13. The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders;

 

  1.14. The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; or

 

  1.15. The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment made to shareholders.

Vote case-by-case on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Management Say-on-Pay proposal if:

 

  1.16. The company’s previous say-on-pay proposal received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

The company’s response, including:

 

    Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;

The company’s ownership structure; and

Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

Governance Failures

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board, due to:

 

  1.17. Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight3, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;

 

  1.18. Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

 

  1.19. Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

 

2. Responsiveness

Vote case-by-case on individual directors, committee members, or the entire board of directors, as appropriate, if:

 

  2.1. The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year. Factors that will be considered are:

Disclosed outreach efforts by the board to shareholders in the wake of the vote;

 

 

3  Examples of failure of risk oversight include, but are not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies; significant adverse legal judgments or settlements; hedging of company stock; or significant pledging of company stock.

 

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Rationale provided in the proxy statement for the level of implementation;

The subject matter of the proposal;

The level of support for and opposition to the resolution in past meetings;

Actions taken by the board in response to the majority vote and its engagement with shareholders;

The continuation of the underlying issue as a voting item on the ballot (as either shareholder or management proposals); and

Other factors as appropriate.

 

  2.2. The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;

 

  2.3. At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote;

 

  2.4. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency; or

 

  2.5. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency, taking into account:

The board’s rationale for selecting a frequency that is different from the frequency that received a plurality;

The company’s ownership structure and vote results;

ISS’ analysis of whether there are compensation concerns or a history of problematic compensation practices; and

The previous year’s support level on the company’s say-on-pay proposal.

 

3. Composition

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings:

 

  3.1. Generally vote against or withhold from directors (except new nominees, who should be considered case-by-case4) who attend less than 75 percent of the aggregate of their board and committee meetings for the period for which they served, unless an acceptable reason for absences is disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing. Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following:

Medical issues/illness;

Family emergencies; and

Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).

 

  3.2. If the proxy disclosure is unclear and insufficient to determine whether a director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of his/her board and committee meetings during his/her period of service, vote against or withhold from the director(s) in question.

Overboarded Directors:

Vote against or withhold from individual directors who:

 

  3.3. Sit on more than six public company boards; or

 

  3.4. Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own—withhold only at their outside boards5.

 

 

4  For new nominees only, schedule conflicts due to commitments made prior to their appointment to the board are considered if disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing.
5  Although all of a CEO’s subsidiary boards will be counted as separate boards, ISS will not recommend a withhold vote from the CEO of a parent company board or any of the controlled (>50 percent ownership) subsidiaries of that parent, but will do so at subsidiaries that are less than 50 percent controlled and boards outside the parent/subsidiary relationships.

 

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4. Independence

Vote against or withhold from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors when:

 

  4.1. The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating;

 

  4.2. The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee;

 

  4.3. The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; or

 

  4.4. Independent directors make up less than a majority of the directors.

 

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Proxy Access

ISS supports proxy access as an important shareholder right, one that is complementary to other best-practice corporate governance features. However, in the absence of a uniform standard, proposals to enact proxy access may vary widely; as such, ISS is not setting forth specific parameters at this time and will take a case-by-case approach in evaluating these proposals.

Vote case-by-case on proposals to enact proxy access, taking into account, among other factors:

 

  30. Company-specific factors; and

 

  31. Proposal-specific factors, including:

 

  32. The ownership thresholds proposed in the resolution (i.e., percentage and duration);

 

  33. The maximum proportion of directors that shareholders may nominate each year; and

 

  34. The method of determining which nominations should appear on the ballot if multiple shareholders submit nominations.

 

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Proxy Contests—Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Vote case-by-case on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors:

 

  35. Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;

 

  36. Management’s track record;

 

  37. Background to the proxy contest;

 

  38. Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);

 

  39. Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management;

 

  40. Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates);

 

  41. Stock ownership positions.

When the addition of shareholder nominees to the management card (“proxy access nominees”) results in a number of nominees on the management card which exceeds the number of seats available for election, vote case-by-case considering the same factors listed above.

 

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Shareholder Rights & Defenses

Poison Pills- Management Proposals to Ratify Poison Pill

Vote case-by-case on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes:

 

  42. No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over;

 

  43. A term of no more than three years;

 

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  44. No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill;

 

  45. Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 10 percent of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill.

In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the company’s existing governance structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic governance concerns.

 

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Poison Pills- Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs)

Vote against proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of protecting a company’s net operating losses (NOL) if the term of the pill would exceed the shorter of three years and the exhaustion of the NOL.

Vote case-by-case on management proposals for poison pill ratification, considering the following factors, if the term of the pill would be the shorter of three years (or less) and the exhaustion of the NOL:

 

  46. The ownership threshold to transfer (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5 percent);

 

  47. The value of the NOLs;

 

  48. Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, or commitment to cause expiration of the pill upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs);

 

  49. The company’s existing governance structure including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and

 

  50. Any other factors that may be applicable.

 

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Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders’ ability to act by written consent.

Generally vote for management and shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent, taking into account the following factors:

 

  51. Shareholders’ current right to act by written consent;

 

  52. The consent threshold;

 

  53. The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

 

  54. Investor ownership structure; and

 

  55. Shareholder support of, and management’s response to, previous shareholder proposals.

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals if, in addition to the considerations above, the company has the following governance and antitakeover provisions:

 

  56. An unfettered6 right for shareholders to call special meetings at a 10 percent threshold;

 

  57. A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections;

 

  58. No non-shareholder-approved pill; and

 

  59. An annually elected board.

 

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6  “Unfettered” means no restrictions on agenda items, no restrictions on the number of shareholders who can group together to reach the 10 percent threshold, and only reasonable limits on when a meeting can be called: no greater than 30 days after the last annual meeting and no greater than 90 prior to the next annual meeting.

 

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CAPITAL/RESTRUCTURING

Common Stock Authorization

Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.

Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class of common stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of common stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote against proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares if a vote for a reverse stock split on the same ballot is warranted despite the fact that the authorized shares would not be reduced proportionally.

Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following:

 

    Past Board Performance:

 

    The company’s use of authorized shares during the last three years

 

  60. The Current Request:

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes of the proposed increase;

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request; and

 

    The dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company’s need for shares and total shareholder returns.

 

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Dual Class Structure

Generally vote against proposals to create a new class of common stock, unless:

 

  61. The company discloses a compelling rationale for the dual-class capital structure, such as:

 

  62. The company’s auditor has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern; or

 

  63. The new class of shares will be transitory;

 

  64. The new class is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders in both the short term and long term; and

 

  65. The new class is not designed to preserve or increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder.

 

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Preferred Stock Authorization

Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized preferred shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.

Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class or series of preferred stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class or series of preferred stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following:

 

  66. Past Board Performance:

 

    The company’s use of authorized preferred shares during the last three years;

 

 

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  67. The Current Request:

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes for the proposed increase;

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request;

 

    In cases where the company has existing authorized preferred stock, the dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company’s need for shares and total shareholder returns; and

 

    Whether the shares requested are blank check preferred shares that can be used for antitakeover purposes.

 

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions. Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

 

  68. Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale.

 

  69. Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.

 

  70. Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.

 

  71. Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm’s-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation “wins” can also signify the deal makers’ competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.

 

  72. Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the “ISS Transaction Summary” section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists.

 

  73. Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

 

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COMPENSATION

Executive Pay Evaluation

Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs:

 

  74. Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;

 

  75. Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”: This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;

 

  76. Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making (e.g., including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);

 

  77. Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;

 

  78. Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices.

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation—Management Proposals (Management Say-on-Pay)

Vote case-by-case on ballot items related to executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation.

Vote against Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Management Say-on-Pay—MSOP) if:

 

  79. There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);

 

  80. The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;

 

  81. The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

Vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

 

  82. There is no MSOP on the ballot, and an against vote on an MSOP is warranted due to a pay for performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof;

 

  83. The board fails to respond adequately to a previous MSOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast;

 

  84. The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, including option repricing or option backdating; or

 

  85. The situation is egregious.

Vote against an equity plan on the ballot if:

 

  86. A pay for performance misalignment is found, and a significant portion of the CEO’s misaligned pay is attributed to non-performance-based equity awards, taking into consideration:

 

    Magnitude of pay misalignment;

 

    Contribution of non-performance-based equity grants to overall pay; and

 

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    The proportion of equity awards granted in the last three fiscal years concentrated at the named executive officer (NEO) level.

Primary Evaluation Factors for Executive Pay

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation

ISS annually conducts a pay-for-performance analysis to identify strong or satisfactory alignment between pay and performance over a sustained period. With respect to companies in the Russell 3000 index, this analysis considers the following:

 

  1. Peer Group7 Alignment:

The degree of alignment between the company’s annualized TSR rank and the CEO’s annualized total pay rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.

The multiple of the CEO’s total pay relative to the peer group median.

 

  2. Absolute Alignment – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years – i.e., the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period.

If the above analysis demonstrates significant unsatisfactory long-term pay-for-performance alignment or, in the case of non-Russell 3000 index companies, misaligned pay and performance are otherwise suggested, our analysis may include any of the following qualitative factors, if they are relevant to the analysis to determine how various pay elements may work to encourage or to undermine long-term value creation and alignment with shareholder interests:

 

  87. The ratio of performance- to time-based equity awards;

 

  88. The overall ratio of performance-based compensation;

 

  89. The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals;

 

  90. The company’s peer group benchmarking practices;

 

  91. Actual results of financial/operational metrics, such as growth in revenue, profit, cash flow, etc., both absolute and relative to peers;

 

  92. Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant practices (e.g., bi-annual awards);

 

  93. Realizable pay8 compared to grant pay; and

 

  94. Any other factors deemed relevant.

Problematic Pay Practices

The focus is on executive compensation practices that contravene the global pay principles, including:

 

  95. Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements;

 

  96. Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking; and

 

  97. Options Backdating.

Problematic Pay Practices related to Non-Performance-Based Compensation Elements

Pay elements that are not directly based on performance are generally evaluated case-by-case considering the context of a company’s overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy. Please refer to ISS’ Compensation FAQ document for detail on specific pay practices that have been identified as potentially problematic and may lead to negative

 

 

7  The revised peer group is generally comprised of 14-24 companies that are selected using market cap, revenue (or assets for certain financial firms), GICS industry group and company’s selected peers’ GICS industry group with size constraints, via a process designed to select peers that are closest to the subject company in terms of revenue/assets and industry and also within a market cap bucket that is reflective of the company’s.
8  ISS research reports will include realizable pay for S&P1500 companies.

 

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recommendations if they are deemed to be inappropriate or unjustified relative to executive pay best practices. The list below highlights the problematic practices that carry significant weight in this overall consideration and may result in adverse vote recommendations:

 

  98. Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options);

 

  99. Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups, including any gross-up related to a secular trust or restricted stock vesting;

 

  100. New or extended agreements that provide for:

 

    CIC payments exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus;

 

    CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties (“single” or “modified single” triggers);

 

    CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including “modified” gross-ups).

Incentives that may Motivate Excessive Risk-Taking

 

  101. Multi-year guaranteed bonuses;

 

  102. A single or common performance metric used for short- and long-term plans;

 

  103. Lucrative severance packages;

 

  104. High pay opportunities relative to industry peers;

 

  105. Disproportionate supplemental pensions; or

 

  106. Mega annual equity grants that provide unlimited upside with no downside risk.

Factors that potentially mitigate the impact of risky incentives include rigorous claw-back provisions and robust stock ownership/holding guidelines.

Options Backdating

The following factors should be examined case-by-case to allow for distinctions to be made between “sloppy” plan administration versus deliberate action or fraud:

 

  107. Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes;

 

  108. Duration of options backdating;

 

  109. Size of restatement due to options backdating;

 

  110. Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and

 

  111. Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future.

Board Communications and Responsiveness

Consider the following factors case-by-case when evaluating ballot items related to executive pay on the board’s responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation issues:

 

  112. Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or

 

  113. Failure to adequately respond to the company’s previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

 

    The company’s response, including:

 

    Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

 

    Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;

 

    The company’s ownership structure; and

 

    Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

 

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Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (“Say When on Pay”)

Vote for annual advisory votes on compensation, which provide the most consistent and clear communication channel for shareholder concerns about companies’ executive pay programs.

 

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Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale

Vote case-by-case on say on Golden Parachute proposals, including consideration of existing change-in-control arrangements maintained with named executive officers rather than focusing primarily on new or extended arrangements.

Features that may result in an against recommendation include one or more of the following, depending on the number, magnitude, and/or timing of issue(s):

 

  114. Single- or modified-single-trigger cash severance;

 

  115. Single-trigger acceleration of unvested equity awards;

 

  116. Excessive cash severance (>3x base salary and bonus);

 

  117. Excise tax gross-ups triggered and payable (as opposed to a provision to provide excise tax gross-ups);

 

  118. Excessive golden parachute payments (on an absolute basis or as a percentage of transaction equity value); or

 

  119. Recent amendments that incorporate any problematic features (such as those above) or recent actions (such as extraordinary equity grants) that may make packages so attractive as to influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; or

 

  120. The company’s assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder approval of the golden parachute advisory vote.

Recent amendment(s) that incorporate problematic features will tend to carry more weight on the overall analysis. However, the presence of multiple legacy problematic features will also be closely scrutinized.

In cases where the golden parachute vote is incorporated into a company’s advisory vote on compensation (management say-on-pay), ISS will evaluate the say-on-pay proposal in accordance with these guidelines, which may give higher weight to that component of the overall evaluation.

 

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Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans

Vote case-by-case on equity-based compensation plans. Vote against the equity plan if any of the following factors apply:

 

  121. The total cost of the company’s equity plans is unreasonable;

 

  122. The plan expressly permits repricing;

 

  123. A pay-for-performance misalignment is found;

 

  124. The company’s three year burn rate exceeds the burn rate cap of its industry group;

 

  125. The plan has a liberal change-of-control definition; or

 

  126. The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices.

 

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Social/Environmental Issues

Global Approach

Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short or long term.

Generally vote case-by-case, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and, in addition, the following will also be considered:

 

  127. If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;

 

  128. If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

 

  129. Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive;

 

  130. The company’s approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;

 

  131. If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and

 

  132. If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

 

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Political Activities

Lobbying

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting information on a company’s lobbying (including direct, indirect, and grassroots lobbying) activities, policies, or procedures, considering:

 

  133. The company’s current disclosure of relevant lobbying policies, and management and board oversight;

 

  134. The company’s disclosure regarding trade associations or other groups that it supports, or is a member of, that engage in lobbying activities; and

 

  135. Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s lobbying-related activities.

 

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Political Contributions

Generally vote for proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company’s political contributions and trade association spending policies and activities, considering:

 

  136. The company’s current disclosure of policies and oversight mechanisms related to its direct political contributions and payments to trade associations or other groups that may be used for political purposes, including information on the types of organizations supported and the business rationale for supporting these organizations; and

 

  137. Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company’s political contributions or political activities.

Vote against proposals barring a company from making political contributions. Businesses are affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level; barring political contributions can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.

Vote against proposals to publish in newspapers and other media a company’s political contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing commensurate value to shareholders.

 

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Political Ties

Generally vote against proposals asking a company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace, so long as:

 

  138. There are no recent, significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s political contributions or trade association spending; and

 

  139. The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibit coercion.

Vote against proposals asking for a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company. Such a list would be burdensome to prepare without providing any meaningful information to shareholders.

 

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8. Foreign Private Issuers Listed on U.S. Exchanges

Vote against (or withhold from) non-independent director nominees at companies which fail to meet the following criteria: a majority-independent board, and the presence of an audit, a compensation, and a nomination committee, each of which is entirely composed of independent directors.

Where the design and disclosure levels of equity compensation plans are comparable to those seen at U.S. companies, U.S. compensation policy will be used to evaluate the compensation plan proposals. Otherwise, they, and all other voting items, will be evaluated using the relevant ISS regional or market proxy voting guidelines.

 

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Disclosure/Disclaimer

This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the “Information”) is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.

The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve, or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS for A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

 

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Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits), or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

 

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2014 U.S. Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

December 19, 2013

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.

Copyright © 2013 by ISS

www.issgovernance.com

 

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ISS’ 2014 U.S. Proxy Voting Summary Guidelines

Effective for Meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2014

Published December 19, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. ROUTINE/MISCELLANEOUS

     7   

Adjourn Meeting

     7   

Amend Quorum Requirements

     7   

Amend Minor Bylaws

     7   

Change Company Name

     7   

Change Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting

     7   

Other Business

     7   

Audit-Related

     8   

Auditor Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

     8   

Auditor Ratification

     8   

Shareholder Proposals Limiting Non-Audit Services

     8   

Shareholder Proposals on Audit Firm Rotation

     9   

2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

     10   

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

     10   

1. Accountability

     10   

2. Responsiveness

     12   

3. Composition

     13   

4. Independence

     14   

2014 ISS Categorization of Directors

     15   

Other Board-Related Proposals

     18   

Age/Term Limits

     18   

Board Size

     18   

Classification/Declassification of the Board

     18   

CEO Succession Planning

     18   

Cumulative Voting

     18   

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

     19   

Establish/Amend Nominee Qualifications

     19   

Establish Other Board Committee Proposals

     19   

Filling Vacancies/Removal of Directors

     20   

Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)

     20   

Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Independent Committees

     21   

Majority Vote Standard for the Election of Directors

     21   

Proxy Access

     21   

Require More Nominees than Open Seats

     22   

Shareholder Engagement Policy (Shareholder Advisory Committee)

     22   

Proxy Contests—Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

     22   

Vote-No Campaigns

     22   

 

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3. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS & DEFENSES

     23   

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations

     23   

Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Consent

     23   

Confidential Voting

     23   

Control Share Acquisition Provisions

     23   

Control Share Cash-Out Provisions

     24   

Disgorgement Provisions

     24   

Exclusive Venue

     24   

Fair Price Provisions

     24   

Freeze-Out Provisions

     25   

Greenmail

     25   

Net Operating Loss (NOL) Protective Amendments

     25   

Poison Pills (Shareholder Rights Plans)

     25   

Shareholder Proposals to Put Pill to a Vote and/or Adopt a Pill Policy

     25   

Management Proposals to Ratify a Poison Pill

     26   

Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs)

     26   

Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

     26   

Reincorporation Proposals

     27   

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

     27   

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

     27   

Stakeholder Provisions

     28   

State Antitakeover Statutes

     28   

Supermajority Vote Requirements

     28   

4. CAPITAL/RESTRUCTURING

     29   

Capital

     29   

Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock

     29   

Common Stock Authorization

     29   

Dual Class Structure

     29   

Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan

     30   

Preemptive Rights

     30   

Preferred Stock Authorization

     30   

Recapitalization Plans

     30   

Reverse Stock Splits

     31   

Share Repurchase Programs

     31   

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

     31   

Tracking Stock

     31   

Restructuring

     31   

Appraisal Rights

     31   

Asset Purchases

     32   

Asset Sales

     32   

Bundled Proposals

     32   

Conversion of Securities

     32   

Corporate Reorganization/Debt Restructuring/Prepackaged Bankruptcy Plans/Reverse Leveraged Buyouts/Wrap Plans

     32   

Formation of Holding Company

     33   

Going Private and Going Dark Transactions (LBOs and Minority Squeeze-outs)

     33   

Joint Ventures

     34   

Liquidations

     34   

Mergers and Acquisitions

     35   

Private Placements/Warrants/Convertible Debentures

     35   

 

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Reorganization/Restructuring Plan (Bankruptcy)

     36   

Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs)

     37   

Spin-offs

     37   

Value Maximization Shareholder Proposals

     37   

5. COMPENSATION

     39   

Executive Pay Evaluation

     39   

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation—Management Proposals (Management Say-on-Pay)

     39   

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation

     40   

Problematic Pay Practices

     41   

Board Communications and Responsiveness

     42   

Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (“Say When on Pay”)

     42   

Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale

     42   

Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans

     43   

Cost of Equity Plans

     43   

Repricing Provisions

     43   

Pay-for-Performance Misalignment—Application to Equity Plans

     44   

Three-Year Burn Rate/Burn Rate Commitment

     44   

Burn Rate Table for 2014

     45   

Liberal Definition of Change in Control

     46   

Problematic Pay Practices

     46   

Specific Treatment of Certain Award Types in Equity Plan Evaluations

     46   

Dividend Equivalent Rights

     46   

Liberal Share Recycling Provisions

     46   

Operating Partnership (OP) Units in Equity Plan Analysis of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

     46   

Option Overhang Cost

     46   

Other Compensation Plans

     47   

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

     47   

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

     47   

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Qualified Plans

     47   

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Non-Qualified Plans

     48   

Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals (OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals)

     48   

Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options

     49   

Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash

     49   

Transfer Stock Option (TSO) Programs

     50   

Director Compensation

     50   

Equity Plans for Non-Employee Directors

     50   

Non-Employee Director Retirement Plans

     51   

Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

     51   

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay)

     51   

Adopt Anti-Hedging/Pledging/Speculative Investments Policy

     51   

Bonus Banking/Bonus Banking “Plus”

     51   

Compensation Consultants—Disclosure of Board or Company’s Utilization

     52   

Disclosure/Setting Levels or Types of Compensation for Executives and Directors

     52   

Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits

     52   

Hold Equity Past Retirement or for a Significant Period of Time

     53   

Non-Deductible Compensation

     54   

Pay for Performance

     54   

Performance-Based Awards

     54   

Pay for Superior Performance

     54   

 

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Pre-Arranged Trading Plans (10b5-1 Plans)

     55   

Prohibit CEOs from Serving on Compensation Committees

     55   

Recoupment of Incentive or Stock Compensation in Specified Circumstances

     55   

Severance Agreements for Executives/Golden Parachutes

     56   

Share Buyback Holding Periods

     56   

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs)

     56   

Tax Gross-Up Proposals

     57   

Termination of Employment Prior to Severance Payment/Eliminating Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Equity

     57   

6. SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

     58   

Animal Welfare

     58   

Animal Welfare Policies

     58   

Animal Testing

     58   

Animal Slaughter

     59   

Consumer Issues

     59   

Genetically Modified Ingredients

     59   

Reports on Potentially Controversial Business/Financial Practices

     59   

Pharmaceutical Pricing, Access to Medicines, and Prescription Drug Reimportation

     60   

Product Safety and Toxic/Hazardous Materials

     60   

Tobacco-Related Proposals

     61   

Climate Change

     61   

Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

     61   

Energy Efficiency

     62   

Renewable Energy

     62   

Diversity

     63   

Board Diversity

     63   

Equality of Opportunity

     63   

Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Domestic Partner Benefits

     63   

Environment and Sustainability

     64   

Facility and Workplace Safety

     64   

General Environmental Proposals and Community Impact Assessments

     64   

Hydraulic Fracturing

     64   

Operations in Protected Areas

     65   

Recycling

     65   

Sustainability Reporting

     65   

Water Issues

     65   

General Corporate Issues

     66   

Charitable Contributions

     66   

Data Security, Privacy, and Internet Issues

     66   

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Compensation-Related Proposals

     66   

Human Rights, Labor Issues, and International Operations

     67   

Human Rights Proposals

     67   

Operations in High Risk Markets

     67   

Outsourcing/Offshoring

     68   

Weapons and Military Sales

     68   

Political Activities

     68   

Lobbying

     68   

Political Contributions

     68   

Political Ties

     69   

 

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7. MUTUAL FUND PROXIES

     70   

Election of Directors

     70   

Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund

     70   

Proxy Contests

     70   

Investment Advisory Agreements

     70   

Approving New Classes or Series of Shares

     71   

Preferred Stock Proposals

     71   

1940 Act Policies

     71   

Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Nonfundamental Restriction

     71   

Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental

     71   

Name Change Proposals

     72   

Change in Fund’s Subclassification

     72   

Business Development Companies—Authorization to Sell Shares of Common Stock at a Price below Net Asset Value

     72   

Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation

     72   

Changes to the Charter Document

     72   

Changing the Domicile of a Fund

     73   

Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisers Without Shareholder Approval

     73   

Distribution Agreements

     73   

Master-Feeder Structure

     73   

Mergers

     74   

Shareholder Proposals for Mutual Funds

     74   

Establish Director Ownership Requirement

     74   

Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred

     74   

Terminate the Investment Advisor

     74   

8. FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUERS LISTED ON U.S. EXCHANGES

     75   

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER

     76   

 

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1. Routine/Miscellaneous

Adjourn Meeting

Generally vote against proposals to provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting absent compelling reasons to support the proposal.

Vote for proposals that relate specifically to soliciting votes for a merger or transaction if supporting that merger or transaction. Vote against proposals if the wording is too vague or if the proposal includes “other business.”

 

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Amend Quorum Requirements

Vote against proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal.

 

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Amend Minor Bylaws

Vote for bylaw or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections).

 

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Change Company Name

Vote for proposals to change the corporate name unless there is compelling evidence that the change would adversely impact shareholder value.

 

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Change Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting

Vote for management proposals to change the date, time, or location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable.

Vote against shareholder proposals to change the date, time, or location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable.

 

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Other Business

Vote against proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item.

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Audit-Related

Auditor Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

Vote case-by-case on the issue of auditor indemnification and limitation of liability. Factors to be assessed include, but are not limited to:

 

  140. The terms of the auditor agreement—the degree to which these agreements impact shareholders’ rights;

 

  141. The motivation and rationale for establishing the agreements;

 

  142. The quality of the company’s disclosure; and

 

  143. The company’s historical practices in the audit area.

Vote against or withhold from members of an audit committee in situations where there is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

 

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Auditor Ratification

Vote for proposals to ratify auditors unless any of the following apply:

 

  144. An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent;

 

  145. There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

 

  146. Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures; or

 

  147. Fees for non-audit services (“Other” fees) are excessive.

Non-audit fees are excessive if:

 

  148. Non-audit (“other”) fees > audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation fees

Tax compliance and preparation include the preparation of original and amended tax returns and refund claims, and tax payment planning. All other services in the tax category, such as tax advice, planning, or consulting, should be added to “Other” fees. If the breakout of tax fees cannot be determined, add all tax fees to “Other” fees.

In circumstances where “Other” fees include fees related to significant one-time capital structure events (such as initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs) and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees that are an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees/tax compliance and preparation for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.

 

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Shareholder Proposals Limiting Non-Audit Services

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit or limit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services.

 

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Shareholder Proposals on Audit Firm Rotation

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation, taking into account:

 

  149. The tenure of the audit firm;

 

  150. The length of rotation specified in the proposal;

 

  151. Any significant audit-related issues at the company;

 

  152. The number of Audit Committee meetings held each year;

 

  153. The number of financial experts serving on the committee; and

 

  154. Whether the company has a periodic renewal process where the auditor is evaluated for both audit quality and competitive price.

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2. Board of Directors:

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Four fundamental principles apply when determining votes on director nominees:

 

  5. Accountability: Boards should be sufficiently accountable to shareholders, including through transparency of the company’s governance practices and regular board elections, by the provision of sufficient information for shareholders to be able to assess directors and board composition, and through the ability of shareholders to remove directors.

 

  6. Responsiveness: Directors should respond to investor input, such as that expressed through significant opposition to management proposals, significant support for shareholder proposals (whether binding or non-binding), and tender offers where a majority of shares are tendered.

 

  7. Composition: Companies should ensure that directors add value to the board through their specific skills and expertise and by having sufficient time and commitment to serve effectively. Boards should be of a size appropriate to accommodate diversity, expertise, and independence, while ensuring active and collaborative participation by all members.

 

  8. Independence: Boards should be sufficiently independent from management (and significant shareholders) so as to ensure that they are able and motivated to effectively supervise management’s performance for the benefit of all shareholders, including in setting and monitoring the execution of corporate strategy, with appropriate use of shareholder capital, and in setting and monitoring executive compensation programs that support that strategy. The chair of the board should ideally be an independent director, and all boards should have an independent leadership position or a similar role in order to help provide appropriate counterbalance to executive management, as well as having sufficiently independent committees that focus on key governance concerns such as audit, compensation, and nomination of directors.

Generally vote for director nominees, except under the following circumstances:

 

2. Accountability

Vote against9 or withhold from the entire board of directors (except new nominees10, who should be considered case-by-case) for the following:

Problematic Takeover Defenses

Classified Board Structure:

 

  4.5. The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election. All appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable.

 

 

9  In general, companies with a plurality vote standard use “Withhold” as the contrary vote option in director elections; companies with a majority vote standard use “Against”. However, it will vary by company and the proxy must be checked to determine the valid contrary vote option for the particular company.
10  A “new nominee” is any current nominee who has not already been elected by shareholders and who joined the board after the problematic action in question transpired. If ISS cannot determine whether the nominee joined the board before or after the problematic action transpired, the nominee will be considered a “new nominee” if he or she joined the board within the 12 months prior to the upcoming shareholder meeting.

 

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Director Performance Evaluation:

 

  4.6. The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company’s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). Take into consideration the company’s five-year total shareholder return and operational metrics. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to:

A classified board structure;

A supermajority vote requirement;

Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections or a majority vote standard with no plurality carve-out for contested elections;

The inability of shareholders to call special meetings;

The inability of shareholders to act by written consent;

A dual-class capital structure; and/or

A non–shareholder-approved poison pill.

Poison Pills:

 

  4.7. The company’s poison pill has a “dead-hand” or “modified dead-hand” feature. Vote against or withhold from nominees every year until this feature is removed;

 

  4.8. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months (“long-term pill”), or renews any existing pill, including any “short-term” pill (12 months or less), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year, and such companies with annually elected boards at least once every three years, and vote against or withhold votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill; or

 

  4.9. The board makes a material adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval.

Vote case-by-case on all nominees if:

 

  4.10. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term pill”) without shareholder approval, taking into account the following factors:

The date of the pill‘s adoption relative to the date of the next meeting of shareholders—i.e. whether the company had time to put the pill on the ballot for shareholder ratification given the circumstances;

The issuer’s rationale;

The issuer’s governance structure and practices; and

The issuer’s track record of accountability to shareholders.

Problematic Audit-Related Practices

Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the Audit Committee if:

 

  4.11. The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under “Auditor Ratification”);

 

  4.12. The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or

 

  4.13. There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

Vote case-by-case on members of the Audit Committee and potentially the full board if:

 

  4.14. Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth,

 

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  4.15. chronological sequence, and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether withhold/against votes are warranted.

Problematic Compensation Practices/Pay for Performance Misalignment

In the absence of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation ballot item or in egregious situations, vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

 

  4.16. There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);

 

  4.17. The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;

 

  4.18. The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders;

 

  4.19. The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; or

 

  4.20. The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment made to shareholders.

Vote case-by-case on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Management Say-on-Pay proposal if:

The company’s previous say-on-pay proposal received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

The company’s response, including:

 

    Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;

The company’s ownership structure; and

Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

Governance Failures

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board, due to:

 

  4.21. Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight11, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;

 

  4.22. Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

 

  4.23. Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

 

5. Responsiveness

Vote case-by-case on individual directors, committee members, or the entire board of directors as appropriate if:

 

  2.6. The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year. Factors that will be considered are:

Disclosed outreach efforts by the board to shareholders in the wake of the vote;

Rationale provided in the proxy statement for the level of implementation;

The subject matter of the proposal;

The level of support for and opposition to the resolution in past meetings;

Actions taken by the board in response to the majority vote and its engagement with shareholders;

 

 

11  Examples of failure of risk oversight include, but are not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies; significant adverse legal judgments or settlements; hedging of company stock; or significant pledging of company stock.

 

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The continuation of the underlying issue as a voting item on the ballot (as either shareholder or management proposals); and

Other factors as appropriate.

 

  2.7. The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;

 

  2.8. At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote;

 

  2.9. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency; or

 

  2.10. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency, taking into account:

The board’s rationale for selecting a frequency that is different from the frequency that received a plurality;

The company’s ownership structure and vote results;

ISS’ analysis of whether there are compensation concerns or a history of problematic compensation practices; and

The previous year’s support level on the company’s say-on-pay proposal.

 

6. Composition

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings:

 

  6.1. Generally vote against or withhold from directors (except new nominees, who should be considered case-by-case12) who attend less than 75 percent of the aggregate of their board and committee meetings for the period for which they served, unless an acceptable reason for absences is disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing. Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following:

Medical issues/illness;

Family emergencies; and

Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).

 

  6.2. If the proxy disclosure is unclear and insufficient to determine whether a director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of his/her board and committee meetings during his/her period of service, vote against or withhold from the director(s) in question.

Overboarded Directors:

Vote against or withhold from individual directors who:

 

  6.3. Sit on more than six public company boards; or

 

  6.4. Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own—withhold only at their outside boards13.

  

 

12  For new nominees only, schedule conflicts due to commitments made prior to their appointment to the board are considered if disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing.
13  Although all of a CEO’s subsidiary boards will be counted as separate boards, ISS will not recommend a withhold vote from the CEO of a parent company board or any of the controlled (>50 percent ownership) subsidiaries of that parent, but will do so at subsidiaries that are less than 50 percent controlled and boards outside the parent/subsidiary relationships.

 

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7. Independence

Vote against or withhold from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the Categorization of Directors) when:

 

  7.1. The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating;

 

  7.2. The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee;

 

  7.3. The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; or

 

  7.4. Independent directors make up less than a majority of the directors.

 

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2014 ISS Categorization of Directors

 

1. Inside Director (I)

 

  1.1. Current employee or current officeri of the company or one of its affiliatesii.

 

  1.2. Beneficial owner of more than 50 percent of the company’s voting power (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a group).

 

  1.3. Director named in the Summary Compensation Table (excluding former interim officers).

 

2. Affiliated Outside Director (AO)

Board Attestation

 

  2.1. Board attestation that an outside director is not independent.

Former CEO/Interim Officer

 

  2.2. Former CEO of the companyiii,iv.

 

  2.3. Former CEO of an acquired company within the past five yearsiv.

 

  2.4. Former interim officer if the service was longer than 18 months. If the service was between 12 and 18 months an assessment of the interim officer’s employment agreement will be madev.

Non-CEO Executives

 

  2.5. Former officeri of the company, an affiliateii or an acquired firm within the past five years.

 

  2.6. Officeri of a former parent or predecessor firm at the time the company was sold or split off from the parent/predecessor within the past five years.

 

  2.7. Officeri, former officer, or general or limited partner of a joint venture or partnership with the company.

Family Members

 

  2.8. Immediate family membervi of a current or former officeri of the company or its affiliatesii within the last five years.

 

  2.9. Immediate family membervi of a current employee of company or its affiliatesii where additional factors raise concern (which may include, but are not limited to, the following: a director related to numerous employees; the company or its affiliates employ relatives of numerous board members; or a non-Section 16 officer in a key strategic role).

Transactional, Professional, Financial, and Charitable Relationships

 

  2.10. Currently provides (or an immediate family membervi provides) professional servicesvii to the company, to an affiliateii of the company or an individual officer of the company or one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year.

 

  2.11. Is (or an immediate family membervi is) a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an employee of, an organization which provides professional servicesvii to the company, to an affiliateii of the company, or an individual officer of the company or one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year.

 

  2.12. Has (or an immediate family membervi has) any material transactional relationshipviii with the company or its affiliatesii (excluding investments in the company through a private placement).

 

  2.13. Is (or an immediate family membervi is) a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, an organization which has any material transactional relationshipviii with the company or its affiliatesii (excluding investments in the company through a private placement).

 

  2.14. Is (or an immediate family membervi is) a trustee, director, or employee of a charitable or non-profit organization that receives material grants or endowmentsviii from the company or its affiliatesii.

Other Relationships

 

  2.15. Party to a voting agreementix to vote in line with management on proposals being brought to shareholder vote.

 

  2.16. Has (or an immediate family membervi has) an interlocking relationship as defined by the SEC involving members of the board of directors or its Compensation Committeex.

 

  2.17. Founderxi of the company but not currently an employee.

 

  2.18. Any materialxii relationship with the company.

 

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3. Independent Outside Director (IO)

 

  3.1. No materialxii connection to the company other than a board seat.

Footnotes:

 

i  The definition of officer will generally follow that of a “Section 16 officer” (officers subject to Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) and includes the chief executive, operating, financial, legal, technology, and accounting officers of a company (including the president, treasurer, secretary, controller, or any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division, or policy function). Current interim officers are included in this category. For private companies, the equivalent positions are applicable. A non-employee director serving as an officer due to statutory requirements (e.g. corporate secretary) will be classified as an Affiliated Outsider under 2.18: “Any material relationship with the company.” However, if the company provides explicit disclosure that the director is not receiving additional compensation in excess of $10,000 per year for serving in that capacity, then the director will be classified as an Independent Outsider.
ii  “Affiliate” includes a subsidiary, sibling company, or parent company. ISS uses 50 percent control ownership by the parent company as the standard for applying its affiliate designation.
iii  Includes any former CEO of the company prior to the company’s initial public offering (IPO).
iv  When there is a former CEO of a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) serving on the board of an acquired company, ISS will generally classify such directors as independent unless determined otherwise taking into account the following factors: the applicable listing standards determination of such director’s independence; any operating ties to the firm; and the existence of any other conflicting relationships or related party transactions.
v  ISS will look at the terms of the interim officer’s employment contract to determine if it contains severance pay, long-term health and pension benefits, or other such standard provisions typically contained in contracts of permanent, non-temporary CEOs. ISS will also consider if a formal search process was under way for a full-time officer at the time.
vi  “Immediate family member” follows the SEC’s definition of such and covers spouses, parents, children, step-parents, step-children, siblings, in-laws, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director, executive officer, or significant shareholder of the company.
vii  Professional services can be characterized as advisory in nature, generally involve access to sensitive company information or to strategic decision-making, and typically have a commission- or fee-based payment structure. Professional services generally include, but are not limited to the following: investment banking/financial advisory services; commercial banking (beyond deposit services); investment services; insurance services; accounting/audit services; consulting services; marketing services; legal services; property management services; realtor services; lobbying services; executive search services; and IT consulting services. The following would generally be considered transactional relationships and not professional services: deposit services; IT tech support services; educational services; and construction services. The case of participation in a banking syndicate by a non-lead bank should be considered a transactional (and hence subject to the associated materiality test) rather than a professional relationship. “Of Counsel” relationships are only considered immaterial if the individual does not receive any form of compensation (in excess of $10,000 per year) from, or is a retired partner of, the firm providing the professional service. The case of a company providing a professional service to one of its directors or to an entity with which one of its directors is affiliated, will be considered a transactional rather than a professional relationship. Insurance services and marketing services are assumed to be professional services unless the company explains why such services are not advisory.

 

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viii  A material transactional relationship, including grants to non-profit organizations, exists if the company makes annual payments to, or receives annual payments from, another entity exceeding the greater of $200,000 or 5 percent of the recipient’s gross revenues, in the case of a company which follows NASDAQ listing standards; or the greater of $1,000,000 or 2 percent of the recipient’s gross revenues, in the case of a company which follows NYSE/Amex listing standards. In the case of a company which follows neither of the preceding standards, ISS will apply the NASDAQ-based materiality test. (The recipient is the party receiving the financial proceeds from the transaction).
ix  Dissident directors who are parties to a voting agreement pursuant to a settlement arrangement, will generally be classified as independent unless determined otherwise taking into account the following factors: the terms of the agreement; the duration of the standstill provision in the agreement; the limitations and requirements of actions that are agreed upon; if the dissident director nominee(s) is subject to the standstill; and if there any conflicting relationships or related party transactions.
x Interlocks include: executive officers serving as directors on each other’s compensation or similar committees (or, in the absence of such a committee, on the board); or executive officers sitting on each other’s boards and at least one serves on the other’s compensation or similar committees (or, in the absence of such a committee, on the board).
xi The operating involvement of the founder with the company will be considered. Little to no operating involvement ever may cause ISS to deem the founder as an independent outsider.
xii For purposes of ISS’s director independence classification, “material” will be defined as a standard of relationship (financial, personal or otherwise) that a reasonable person might conclude could potentially influence one’s objectivity in the boardroom in a manner that would have a meaningful impact on an individual’s ability to satisfy requisite fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders.

 

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Other Board-Related Proposals

Age/Term Limits

Vote against management and shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors through mandatory retirement ages.

Vote against management proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors through term limits. However, scrutinize boards where the average tenure of all directors exceeds 15 years for independence from management and for sufficient turnover to ensure that new perspectives are being added to the board.

 

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Board Size

Vote for proposals seeking to fix the board size or designate a range for the board size.

Vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval.

 

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Classification/Declassification of the Board

Vote against proposals to classify (stagger) the board.

Vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

 

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CEO Succession Planning

Generally vote for proposals seeking disclosure on a CEO succession planning policy, considering, at a minimum, the following factors:

 

  155. The reasonableness/scope of the request; and

 

  156. The company’s existing disclosure on its current CEO succession planning process.

 

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Cumulative Voting

Generally vote against management proposals to eliminate cumulate voting, and for shareholder proposals to restore or provide for cumulative voting, unless:

 

    The company has proxy access, thereby allowing shareholders to nominate directors to the company’s ballot; and

 

    The company has adopted a majority vote standard, with a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats, and a director resignation policy to address failed elections.

Vote for proposals for cumulative voting at controlled companies (insider voting power > 50%).

 

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Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

Vote case-by-case on proposals on director and officer indemnification and liability protection.

Vote against proposals that would:

 

  157. Eliminate entirely directors’ and officers’ liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.

 

  158. Expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to liability for acts that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness.

 

  159. Expand the scope of indemnification to provide for mandatory indemnification of company officials in connection with acts that previously the company was permitted to provide indemnification for, at the discretion of the company’s board (i.e., “permissive indemnification”), but that previously the company was not required to indemnify.

Vote for only those proposals providing such expanded coverage in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if both of the following apply:

 

  160. If the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that s/he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company; and

 

  161. If only the director’s legal expenses would be covered.

 

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Establish/Amend Nominee Qualifications

Vote case-by-case on proposals that establish or amend director qualifications. Votes should be based on the reasonableness of the criteria and the degree to which they may preclude dissident nominees from joining the board.

Vote case-by-case on shareholder resolutions seeking a director nominee who possesses a particular subject matter expertise, considering:

 

  162. The company’s board committee structure, existing subject matter expertise, and board nomination provisions relative to that of its peers;

 

  163. The company’s existing board and management oversight mechanisms regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

  164. The company’s disclosure and performance relating to the issue for which board oversight is sought and any significant related controversies; and

 

  165. The scope and structure of the proposal.

 

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Establish Other Board Committee Proposals

Generally vote against shareholder proposals to establish a new board committee, as such proposals seek a specific oversight mechanism/structure that potentially limits a company’s flexibility to determine an appropriate oversight mechanism for itself. However, the following factors will be considered:

 

  166. Existing oversight mechanisms (including current committee structure) regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

  167. Level of disclosure regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

  168. Company performance related to the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

  169. Board committee structure compared to that of other companies in its industry sector; and

 

  170. The scope and structure of the proposal.

 

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Filling Vacancies/Removal of Directors

Vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.

Vote for proposals to restore shareholders’ ability to remove directors with or without cause.

Vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

Vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

 

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Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)

Generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring that the chairman’s position be filled by an independent director, unless the company satisfies all of the following criteria:

The company maintains the following counterbalancing governance structure:

 

  171. Designated lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with clearly delineated and comprehensive duties. (The role may alternatively reside with a presiding director, vice chairman, or rotating lead director; however, the director must serve a minimum of one year in order to qualify as a lead director.) The duties should include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

    presides at all meetings of the board at which the chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors;

 

    serves as liaison between the chairman and the independent directors;

 

    approves information sent to the board;

 

    approves meeting agendas for the board;

 

    approves meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;

 

    has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;

 

    if requested by major shareholders, ensures that he or she is available for consultation and direct communication;

 

  172. Two-thirds independent board;

 

  173. Fully independent key committees;

 

  174. Established governance guidelines;

 

  175. A company in the Russell 3000 universe must not have exhibited sustained poor total shareholder return (TSR) performance, defined as one- and three-year TSR in the bottom half of the company’s four-digit GICS industry group (using Russell 3000 companies only), unless there has been a change in the Chairman/CEO position within that time. For companies not in the Russell 3000 universe, the company must not have underperformed both its peers and index on the basis of both one-year and three-year total shareholder returns, unless there has been a change in the Chairman/CEO position within that time;

 

  176. The company does not have any problematic governance or management issues, examples of which include, but are not limited to:

 

    Egregious compensation practices;

 

    Multiple related-party transactions or other issues putting director independence at risk;

 

    Corporate or management scandals;

 

    Excessive problematic corporate governance provisions; or

 

    Flagrant actions by management or the board with potential or realized negative impacts on shareholders.

 

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Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Independent Committees

Vote for shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’ definition of independent outsider. (See Categorization of Directors.)

Vote for shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors unless they currently meet that standard.

 

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Majority Vote Standard for the Election of Directors

Generally vote for management proposals to adopt a majority of votes cast standard for directors in uncontested elections. Vote against if no carve-out for a plurality vote standard in contested elections is included.

Generally vote for precatory and binding shareholder resolutions requesting that the board change the company’s bylaws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast, provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. Binding resolutions need to allow for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats.

Companies are strongly encouraged to also adopt a post-election policy (also known as a director resignation policy) that will provide guidelines so that the company will promptly address the situation of a holdover director.

 

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Proxy Access

ISS supports proxy access as an important shareholder right, one that is complementary to other best-practice corporate governance features. However, in the absence of a uniform standard, proposals to enact proxy access may vary widely; as such, ISS is not setting forth specific parameters at this time and will take a case-by-case approach in evaluating these proposals.

Vote case-by-case on proposals to enact proxy access, taking into account, among other factors:

 

  177. Company-specific factors; and

 

  178. Proposal-specific factors, including:

 

  179. The ownership thresholds proposed in the resolution (i.e., percentage and duration);

 

  180. The maximum proportion of directors that shareholders may nominate each year; and

 

  181. The method of determining which nominations should appear on the ballot if multiple shareholders submit nominations.

 

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Require More Nominees than Open Seats

Vote against shareholder proposals that would require a company to nominate more candidates than the number of open board seats.

 

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Shareholder Engagement Policy (Shareholder Advisory Committee)

Generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting that the board establish an internal mechanism/process, which may include a committee, in order to improve communications between directors and shareholders, unless the company has the following features, as appropriate:

 

  182. Established a communication structure that goes beyond the exchange requirements to facilitate the exchange of information between shareholders and members of the board;

 

  183. Effectively disclosed information with respect to this structure to its shareholders;

 

  184. Company has not ignored majority-supported shareholder proposals or a majority withhold vote on a director nominee; and

 

  185. The company has an independent chairman or a lead director, according to ISS’ definition. This individual must be made available for periodic consultation and direct communication with major shareholders.

 

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Proxy Contests—Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Vote case-by-case on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors:

 

  186. Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;

 

  187. Management’s track record;

 

  188. Background to the proxy contest;

 

  189. Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);

 

  190. Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management;

 

  191. Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates);

 

  192. Stock ownership positions.

When the addition of shareholder nominees to the management card (“proxy access nominees”) results in a number of nominees on the management card which exceeds the number of seats available for election, vote case-by-case considering the same factors listed above.

 

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Vote-No Campaigns

In cases where companies are targeted in connection with public “vote-no” campaigns, evaluate director nominees under the existing governance policies for voting on director nominees in uncontested elections. Take into consideration the arguments submitted by shareholders and other publicly available information.

 

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3. Shareholder Rights & Defenses

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations

Vote case-by-case on advance notice proposals, giving support to those proposals which allow shareholders to submit proposals/nominations as close to the meeting date as reasonably possible and within the broadest window possible, recognizing the need to allow sufficient notice for company, regulatory, and shareholder review.

To be reasonable, the company’s deadline for shareholder notice of a proposal/ nominations must not be more than 60 days prior to the meeting, with a submittal window of at least 30 days prior to the deadline. The submittal window is the period under which a shareholder must file his proposal/nominations prior to the deadline.

In general, support additional efforts by companies to ensure full disclosure in regard to a proponent’s economic and voting position in the company so long as the informational requirements are reasonable and aimed at providing shareholders with the necessary information to review such proposals.

 

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Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Consent

Vote against proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the bylaws.

Vote for proposals giving the board the ability to amend the bylaws in addition to shareholders.

 

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Confidential Voting

Vote for shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators, and use independent inspectors of election, as long as the proposal includes a provision for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents will not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

Vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

 

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Control Share Acquisition Provisions

Control share acquisition statutes function by denying shares their voting rights when they contribute to ownership in excess of certain thresholds. Voting rights for those shares exceeding ownership limits may only be restored by approval of either a majority or supermajority of disinterested shares. Thus, control share acquisition statutes effectively require a hostile bidder to put its offer to a shareholder vote or risk voting disenfranchisement if the bidder continues buying up a large block of shares.

Vote for proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes unless doing so would enable the completion of a takeover that would be detrimental to shareholders.

 

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Vote against proposals to amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions.

Vote for proposals to restore voting rights to the control shares.

 

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Control Share Cash-Out Provisions

Control share cash-out statutes give dissident shareholders the right to “cash-out” of their position in a company at the expense of the shareholder who has taken a control position. In other words, when an investor crosses a preset threshold level, remaining shareholders are given the right to sell their shares to the acquirer, who must buy them at the highest acquiring price.

Vote for proposals to opt out of control share cash-out statutes.

 

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Disgorgement Provisions

Disgorgement provisions require an acquirer or potential acquirer of more than a certain percentage of a company’s stock to disgorge, or pay back, to the company any profits realized from the sale of that company’s stock purchased 24 months before achieving control status. All sales of company stock by the acquirer occurring within a certain period of time (between 18 months and 24 months) prior to the investor’s gaining control status are subject to these recapture-of-profits provisions.

Vote for proposals to opt out of state disgorgement provisions.

 

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Exclusive Venue

Vote case-by-case on exclusive venue proposals, taking into account:

 

  193. Whether the company has been materially harmed by shareholder litigation outside its jurisdiction of incorporation, based on disclosure in the company’s proxy statement; and

 

  194. Whether the company has the following good governance features:

 

  195. An annually elected board;

 

  196. A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections; and

 

  197. The absence of a poison pill, unless the pill was approved by shareholders.

 

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Fair Price Provisions

Vote case-by-case on proposals to adopt fair price provisions (provisions that stipulate that an acquirer must pay the same price to acquire all shares as it paid to acquire the control shares), evaluating factors such as the vote required to approve the proposed acquisition, the vote required to repeal the fair price provision, and the mechanism for determining the fair price.

 

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Generally, vote against fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares.

 

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Freeze-Out Provisions

Vote for proposals to opt out of state freeze-out provisions. Freeze-out provisions force an investor who surpasses a certain ownership threshold in a company to wait a specified period of time before gaining control of the company.

 

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Greenmail

Greenmail payments are targeted share repurchases by management of company stock from individuals or groups seeking control of the company. Since only the hostile party receives payment, usually at a substantial premium over the market value of its shares, the practice discriminates against all other shareholders.

Vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

Vote case-by-case on anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

 

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Net Operating Loss (NOL) Protective Amendments

Vote against proposals to adopt a protective amendment for the stated purpose of protecting a company’s net operating losses (NOL) if the effective term of the protective amendment would exceed the shorter of three years and the exhaustion of the NOL.

Vote case-by-case, considering the following factors, for management proposals to adopt an NOL protective amendment that would remain in effect for the shorter of three years (or less) and the exhaustion of the NOL:

 

  198. The ownership threshold (NOL protective amendments generally prohibit stock ownership transfers that would result in a new 5-percent holder or increase the stock ownership percentage of an existing 5-percent holder);

 

  199. The value of the NOLs;

 

  200. Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision or commitment to cause expiration of the protective amendment upon exhaustion or expiration of the NOL);

 

  201. The company’s existing governance structure including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and

 

  202. Any other factors that may be applicable.

 

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Poison Pills (Shareholder Rights Plans)

Shareholder Proposals to Put Pill to a Vote and/or Adopt a Pill Policy

Vote for shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder vote or redeem it UNLESS the company has: (1) A shareholder approved poison pill in place; or (2) The company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future specifying that the board will only adopt a shareholder rights plan if either:

 

  203. Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan; or

 

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  204. The board, in its exercise of its fiduciary responsibilities, determines that it is in the best interest of shareholders under the circumstances to adopt a pill without the delay in adoption that would result from seeking stockholder approval (i.e., the “fiduciary out” provision). A poison pill adopted under this fiduciary out will be put to a shareholder ratification vote within 12 months of adoption or expire. If the pill is not approved by a majority of the votes cast on this issue, the plan will immediately terminate.

If the shareholder proposal calls for a time period of less than 12 months for shareholder ratification after adoption, vote for the proposal, but add the caveat that a vote within 12 months would be considered sufficient implementation.

 

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Management Proposals to Ratify a Poison Pill

Vote case-by-case on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes:

 

  205. No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over;

 

  206 A term of no more than three years;

 

  207. No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill;

 

  208. Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 10 percent of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill.

In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the company’s existing governance structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic governance concerns.

 

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Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs)

Vote against proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of protecting a company’s net operating losses (NOL) if the term of the pill would exceed the shorter of three years and the exhaustion of the NOL.

Vote case-by-case on management proposals for poison pill ratification, considering the following factors, if the term of the pill would be the shorter of three years (or less) and the exhaustion of the NOL:

 

  209. The ownership threshold to transfer (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5 percent);

 

  210. The value of the NOLs;

 

  211. Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, or commitment to cause expiration of the pill upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs);

 

  212. The company’s existing governance structure including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and

 

  213. Any other factors that may be applicable.

 

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Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

Vote case-by-case on proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate, vote for the reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election.

 

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Generally vote for shareholder proposals calling for the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred in connection with nominating one or more candidates in a contested election where the following apply:

 

  214. The election of fewer than 50% of the directors to be elected is contested in the election;

 

  215. One or more of the dissident’s candidates is elected;

 

  216. Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for directors; and

 

  217. The election occurred, and the expenses were incurred, after the adoption of this bylaw.

 

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Reincorporation Proposals

Management or shareholder proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated case-by-case, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns including the following:

 

  218. Reasons for reincorporation;

 

  219. Comparison of company’s governance practices and provisions prior to and following the reincorporation; and

 

  220. Comparison of corporation laws of original state and destination state.

Vote for reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

 

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Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders’ ability to act by written consent.

Generally vote for management and shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent, taking into account the following factors:

 

  221. Shareholders’ current right to act by written consent;

 

  222. The consent threshold;

 

  223. The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

 

  224. Investor ownership structure; and

 

  225. Shareholder support of, and management’s response to, previous shareholder proposals.

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals if, in addition to the considerations above, the company has the following governance and antitakeover provisions:

 

  226. An unfettered14 right for shareholders to call special meetings at a 10 percent threshold;

 

  227. A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections;

 

  228. No non-shareholder-approved pill; and

 

  229. An annually elected board.

 

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Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Vote against management or shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders’ ability to call special meetings.

 

 

 

14 “Unfettered” means no restrictions on agenda items, no restrictions on the number of shareholders who can group together to reach the 10 percent threshold, and only reasonable limits on when a meeting can be called: no greater than 30 days after the last annual meeting and no greater than 90 prior to the next annual meeting.

 

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Generally vote for management or shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings taking into account the following factors:

 

  230. Shareholders’ current right to call special meetings;

 

  231. Minimum ownership threshold necessary to call special meetings (10% preferred);

 

  232. The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

 

  233. Investor ownership structure; and

 

  234. Shareholder support of, and management’s response to, previous shareholder proposals.

 

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Stakeholder Provisions

Vote against proposals that ask the board to consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination.

 

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State Antitakeover Statutes

Vote case-by-case on proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, and anti-greenmail provisions).

 

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Supermajority Vote Requirements

Vote against proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

Vote for management or shareholder proposals to reduce supermajority vote requirements. However, for companies with shareholder(s) who have significant ownership levels, vote case-by-case, taking into account:

 

  235. Ownership structure;

 

  236. Quorum requirements; and

 

  237. Vote requirements.

 

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4. CAPITAL/RESTRUCTURING

Capital

Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock

Vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock unless the action is being taken to facilitate an anti-takeover device or some other negative corporate governance action

Vote for management proposals to eliminate par value.

 

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Common Stock Authorization

Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.

Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class of common stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of common stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote against proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares if a vote for a reverse stock split on the same ballot is warranted despite the fact that the authorized shares would not be reduced proportionally.

Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following:

 

    Past Board Performance:

 

    The company’s use of authorized shares during the last three years

 

  238. The Current Request:

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes of the proposed increase;

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request; and

 

    The dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company’s need for shares and total shareholder returns.

 

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Dual Class Structure

Generally vote against proposals to create a new class of common stock unless:

 

  239. The company discloses a compelling rationale for the dual-class capital structure, such as:

 

  240. The company’s auditor has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern; or

 

  241. The new class of shares will be transitory;

 

  242. The new class is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders in both the short term and long term; and

 

  243. The new class is not designed to preserve or increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder.

 

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Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan

Vote against proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a non-shareholder- approved shareholder rights plan (poison pill).

 

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Preemptive Rights

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals that seek preemptive rights, taking into consideration:

 

  244. The size of the company;

 

  245. The shareholder base; and

 

  246. The liquidity of the stock.

 

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Preferred Stock Authorization

Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized preferred shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.

Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class or series of preferred stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class or series of preferred stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following:

 

  247. Past Board Performance:

 

    The company’s use of authorized preferred shares during the last three years;

 

  248. The Current Request:

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes for the proposed increase;

 

    Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request;

 

    In cases where the company has existing authorized preferred stock, the dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company’s need for shares and total shareholder returns; and

 

    Whether the shares requested are blank check preferred shares that can be used for antitakeover purposes.

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Recapitalization Plans

Vote case-by-case on recapitalizations (reclassifications of securities), taking into account the following:

 

  249. More simplified capital structure;

 

  250. Enhanced liquidity;

 

  251. Fairness of conversion terms;

 

  252. Impact on voting power and dividends;

 

  253. Reasons for the reclassification;

 

  254. Conflicts of interest; and

 

  255. Other alternatives considered.

 

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Reverse Stock Splits

Vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split when the number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced.

Vote against proposals when there is not a proportionate reduction of authorized shares, unless:

 

  256. A stock exchange has provided notice to the company of a potential delisting; or

 

  257. The effective increase in authorized shares is equal to or less than the allowable increase calculated in accordance with ISS’ Common Stock Authorization policy.

 

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Share Repurchase Programs

Vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

 

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Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

Vote for management proposals to increase the common share authorization for a stock split or share dividend, provided that the increase in authorized shares equal to or less than the allowable increase calculated in accordance with ISS’ Common Stock Authorization policy.

 

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Tracking Stock

Vote case-by-case on the creation of tracking stock, weighing the strategic value of the transaction against such factors as:

 

  258. Adverse governance changes;

 

  259. Excessive increases in authorized capital stock;

 

  260. Unfair method of distribution;

 

  261. Diminution of voting rights;

 

  262. Adverse conversion features;

 

  263. Negative impact on stock option plans; and

 

  264. Alternatives such as spin-off.

 

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Restructuring

Appraisal Rights

Vote for proposals to restore or provide shareholders with rights of appraisal.

 

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Asset Purchases

Vote case-by-case on asset purchase proposals, considering the following factors:

 

  265. Purchase price;

 

  266. Fairness opinion;

 

  267. Financial and strategic benefits;

 

  268.     

 

  269. How the deal was negotiated;

 

  270. Conflicts of interest;

 

  271. Other alternatives for the business;

 

  272. Non-completion risk.

 

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Asset Sales

Vote case-by-case on asset sales, considering the following factors:

 

  273. Impact on the balance sheet/working capital;

 

  274. Potential elimination of diseconomies;

 

  275. Anticipated financial and operating benefits;

 

  276. Anticipated use of funds;

 

  277. Value received for the asset;

 

  278. Fairness opinion;

 

  279. How the deal was negotiated;

 

  280. Conflicts of interest.

 

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Bundled Proposals

Vote case-by-case on bundled or “conditional” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests, vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, support such proposals.

 

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Conversion of Securities

Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding conversion of securities. When evaluating these proposals the investor should review the dilution to existing shareholders, the conversion price relative to market value, financial issues, control issues, termination penalties, and conflicts of interest.

Vote for the conversion if it is expected that the company will be subject to onerous penalties or will be forced to file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved.

 

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Corporate Reorganization/Debt Restructuring/Prepackaged Bankruptcy Plans/Reverse Leveraged Buyouts/Wrap Plans

Vote case-by-case on proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan, after evaluating:

 

  281.

Dilution to existing shareholders’ positions;

 

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  282. Terms of the offer - discount/premium in purchase price to investor, including any fairness opinion; termination penalties; exit strategy;

 

  283. Financial issues - company’s financial situation; degree of need for capital; use of proceeds; effect of the financing on the company’s cost of capital;

 

  284. Management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives;

 

  285. Control issues - change in management; change in control, guaranteed board and committee seats; standstill provisions; voting agreements; veto power over certain corporate actions; and

 

  286. Conflict of interest - arm’s length transaction, managerial incentives.

Vote for the debt restructuring if it is expected that the company will file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved.

 

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Formation of Holding Company

Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding the formation of a holding company, taking into consideration the following:

 

  287. The reasons for the change;

 

  288. Any financial or tax benefits;

 

  289. Regulatory benefits;

 

  290. Increases in capital structure; and

 

  291. Changes to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the company.

Absent compelling financial reasons to recommend for the transaction, vote against the formation of a holding company if the transaction would include either of the following:

 

  292. Increases in common or preferred stock in excess of the allowable maximum (see discussion under “Capital”); or

 

  293. Adverse changes in shareholder rights.

 

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Going Private and Going Dark Transactions (LBOs and Minority Squeeze-outs)

Vote case-by-case on going private transactions, taking into account the following:

 

  294. Offer price/premium;

 

  295. Fairness opinion;

 

  296. How the deal was negotiated;

 

  297. Conflicts of interest;

 

  298. Other alternatives/offers considered; and

 

  299. Non-completion risk.

Vote case-by-case on going dark transactions, determining whether the transaction enhances shareholder value by taking into consideration:

 

  300.

Whether the company has attained benefits from being publicly-traded (examination of trading volume, liquidity, and market research of the stock);

 

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  301. Balanced interests of continuing vs. cashed-out shareholders, taking into account the following:

 

  302. Are all shareholders able to participate in the transaction?

 

  303. Will there be a liquid market for remaining shareholders following the transaction?

 

  304. Does the company have strong corporate governance?

 

  305. Will insiders reap the gains of control following the proposed transaction?

 

  306. Does the state of incorporation have laws requiring continued reporting that may benefit shareholders?

 

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Joint Ventures

Vote case-by-case on proposals to form joint ventures, taking into account the following:

 

  307. Percentage of assets/business contributed;

 

  308. Percentage ownership;

 

  309. Financial and strategic benefits;

 

  310. Governance structure;

 

  311. Conflicts of interest;

 

  312. Other alternatives; and

 

  313. Non-completion risk.

 

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Liquidations

Vote case-by-case on liquidations, taking into account the following:

 

  314. Management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives;

 

  315. Appraisal value of assets; and

 

  316. The compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

Vote for the liquidation if the company will file for bankruptcy if the proposal is not approved.

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions. Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

 

  317. Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale.

 

  318. Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.

 

  319. Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.

 

  320. Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm’s-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation “wins” can also signify the deal makers’ competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.

 

  321. Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the “ISS Transaction Summary” section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists.

 

  322. Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

 

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Private Placements/Warrants/Convertible Debentures

Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding private placements, warrants, and convertible debentures taking into consideration:

 

  323. Dilution to existing shareholders’ position: The amount and timing of shareholder ownership dilution should be weighed against the needs and proposed shareholder benefits of the capital infusion. Although newly issued common stock, absent preemptive rights, is typically dilutive to existing shareholders, share price appreciation is often the necessary event to trigger the exercise of “out of the money” warrants and convertible debt. In these instances from a value standpoint, the negative impact of dilution is mitigated by the increase in the company’s stock price that must occur to trigger the dilutive event.

 

  324. Terms of the offer (discount/premium in purchase price to investor, including any fairness opinion, conversion features, termination penalties, exit strategy):

 

    The terms of the offer should be weighed against the alternatives of the company and in light of company’s financial condition. Ideally, the conversion price for convertible debt and the exercise price for warrants should be at a premium to the then prevailing stock price at the time of private placement.

 

    When evaluating the magnitude of a private placement discount or premium, consider factors that influence the discount or premium, such as, liquidity, due diligence costs, control and monitoring costs, capital scarcity, information asymmetry and anticipation of future performance.

 

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  325. Financial issues:

 

    The company’s financial condition;

 

    Degree of need for capital;

 

    Use of proceeds;

 

    Effect of the financing on the company’s cost of capital;

 

    Current and proposed cash burn rate;

 

    Going concern viability and the state of the capital and credit markets.

 

  326. Management’s efforts to pursue alternatives and whether the company engaged in a process to evaluate alternatives: A fair, unconstrained process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Financing alternatives can include joint ventures, partnership, merger or sale of part or all of the company.

 

  327. Control issues:

 

    Change in management;

 

    Change in control;

 

    Guaranteed board and committee seats;

 

    Standstill provisions;

 

    Voting agreements;

 

    Veto power over certain corporate actions; and

 

    Minority versus majority ownership and corresponding minority discount or majority control premium

 

  328. Conflicts of interest:

 

    Conflicts of interest should be viewed from the perspective of the company and the investor.

 

    Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm’s length? Are managerial incentives aligned with shareholder interests?

 

  329. Market reaction:

 

    The market’s response to the proposed deal. A negative market reaction is a cause for concern. Market reaction may be addressed by analyzing the one day impact on the unaffected stock price.

Vote for the private placement, or for the issuance of warrants and/or convertible debentures in a private placement, if it is expected that the company will file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved.

 

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Reorganization/Restructuring Plan (Bankruptcy)

Vote case-by-case on proposals to common shareholders on bankruptcy plans of reorganization, considering the following factors including, but not limited to:

 

  330. Estimated value and financial prospects of the reorganized company;

 

  331. Percentage ownership of current shareholders in the reorganized company;

 

  332. Whether shareholders are adequately represented in the reorganization process (particularly through the existence of an Official Equity Committee);

 

  333. The cause(s) of the bankruptcy filing, and the extent to which the plan of reorganization addresses the cause(s);

 

  334. Existence of a superior alternative to the plan of reorganization; and

 

  335. Governance of the reorganized company.

 

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Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs)

Vote case-by-case on SPAC mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following:

 

  336. Valuation—Is the value being paid by the SPAC reasonable? SPACs generally lack an independent fairness opinion and the financials on the target may be limited. Compare the conversion price with the intrinsic value of the target company provided in the fairness opinion. Also, evaluate the proportionate value of the combined entity attributable to the SPAC IPO shareholders versus the pre-merger value of SPAC. Additionally, a private company discount may be applied to the target, if it is a private entity.

 

  337. Market reaction—How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction may be a cause for concern. Market reaction may be addressed by analyzing the one-day impact on the unaffected stock price.

 

  338. Deal timing—A main driver for most transactions is that the SPAC charter typically requires the deal to be complete within 18 to 24 months, or the SPAC is to be liquidated. Evaluate the valuation, market reaction, and potential conflicts of interest for deals that are announced close to the liquidation date.

 

  339. Negotiations and process—What was the process undertaken to identify potential target companies within specified industry or location specified in charter? Consider the background of the sponsors.

 

  340. Conflicts of interest—How are sponsors benefiting from the transaction compared to IPO shareholders? Potential onflicts could arise if a fairness opinion is issued by the insiders to qualify the deal rather than a third party or if management is encouraged to pay a higher price for the target because of an 80% rule (the charter requires that the fair market value of the target is at least equal to 80% of net assets of the SPAC). Also, there may be sense of urgency by the management team of the SPAC to close the deal since its charter typically requires a transaction to be completed within the 18-24 month timeframe.

 

  341. Voting agreements—Are the sponsors entering into enter into any voting agreements/ tender offers with shareholders who are likely to vote against the proposed merger or exercise conversion rights?

 

  342. Governance—What is the impact of having the SPAC CEO or founder on key committees following the proposed merger?

 

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Spin-offs

Vote case-by-case on spin-offs, considering:

 

  343. Tax and regulatory advantages;

 

  344. Planned use of the sale proceeds;

 

  345. Valuation of spinoff;

 

  346. Fairness opinion;

 

  347. Benefits to the parent company;

 

  348. Conflicts of interest;

 

  349. Managerial incentives;

 

  350. Corporate governance changes;

 

  351. Changes in the capital structure.

 

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Value Maximization Shareholder Proposals

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals seeking to maximize shareholder value by:

 

  352. Hiring a financial advisor to explore strategic alternatives;

 

  353. Selling the company; or

 

  354. Liquidating the company and distributing the proceeds to shareholders.

 

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These proposals should be evaluated based on the following factors:

 

  355. Prolonged poor performance with no turnaround in sight;

 

  356. Signs of entrenched board and management (such as the adoption of takeover defenses);

 

  357. Strategic plan in place for improving value;

 

  358. Likelihood of receiving reasonable value in a sale or dissolution; and

 

  359. The company actively exploring its strategic options, including retaining a financial advisor.

 

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5. COMPENSATION

Executive Pay Evaluation

Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs:

 

  360. Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;

 

  361. Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”: This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;

 

  362. Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making (e.g., including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);

 

  363. Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;

 

  364. Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices.

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation—Management Proposals (Management Say-on-Pay)

Vote case-by-case on ballot items related to executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation.

Vote against Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Management Say-on-Pay—MSOP) if:

 

  365. There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);

 

  366. The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;

 

  367. The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

Vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

 

  368. There is no MSOP on the ballot, and an against vote on an MSOP is warranted due to pay for performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof;

 

  369. The board fails to respond adequately to a previous MSOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast;

 

  370. The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, including option repricing or option backdating; or

 

  371. The situation is egregious.

 

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Vote against an equity plan on the ballot if:

 

  372. A pay for performance misalignment is found, and a significant portion of the CEO’s misaligned pay is attributed to non-performance-based equity awards, taking into consideration:

 

  373. Magnitude of pay misalignment;

 

  374. Contribution of non-performance-based equity grants to overall pay; and

 

  375. The proportion of equity awards granted in the last three fiscal years concentrated at the named executive officer (NEO) level.

Primary Evaluation Factors for Executive Pay

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation

ISS annually conducts a pay-for-performance analysis to identify strong or satisfactory alignment between pay and performance over a sustained period. With respect to companies in the Russell 3000 index, this analysis considers the following:

 

  3. Peer Group15 Alignment:

The degree of alignment between the company’s annualized TSR rank and the CEO’s annualized total pay rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.

The multiple of the CEO’s total pay relative to the peer group median.

 

  4. Absolute Alignment – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years – i.e., the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period.

If the above analysis demonstrates significant unsatisfactory long-term pay-for-performance alignment or, in the case of non-Russell 3000 index companies, misaligned pay and performance are otherwise suggested, our analysis may include any of the following qualitative factors, if they are relevant to the analysis to determine how various pay elements may work to encourage or to undermine long-term value creation and alignment with shareholder interests:

 

  376. The ratio of performance- to time-based equity awards;

 

  377. The overall ratio of performance-based compensation;

 

  378. The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals;

 

  379. The company’s peer group benchmarking practices;

 

  380. Actual results of financial/operational metrics, such as growth in revenue, profit, cash flow, etc., both absolute and relative to peers;

 

  381. Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant practices (e.g., bi-annual awards);

 

  382. Realizable pay16 compared to grant pay; and

 

  383. Any other factors deemed relevant.

 

15 The revised peer group is generally comprised of 14-24 companies that are selected using market cap, revenue (or assets for certain financial firms), GICS industry group and company’s selected peers’ GICS industry group with size constraints, via a process designed to select peers that are closest to the subject company in terms of revenue/assets and industry and also within a market cap bucket that is reflective of the company’s.
16 SS research reports will include realizable pay for S&P1500 companies.

 

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Problematic Pay Practices

The focus is on executive compensation practices that contravene the global pay principles, including:

 

  384. Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements;

 

  385. Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking; and

 

  386. Options Backdating.

Problematic Pay Practices related to Non-Performance-Based Compensation Elements

Pay elements that are not directly based on performance are generally evaluated case-by-case considering the context of a company’s overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy. Please refer to ISS’ Compensation FAQ document for detail on specific pay practices that have been identified as potentially problematic and may lead to negative recommendations if they are deemed to be inappropriate or unjustified relative to executive pay best practices. The list below highlights the problematic practices that carry significant weight in this overall consideration and may result in adverse vote recommendations:

 

  387. Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options);

 

  388. Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups, including any gross-up related to a secular trust or restricted stock vesting;

 

  389. New or extended agreements that provide for:

 

    CIC payments exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus;

 

    CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties (“single” or “modified single” triggers);

 

    CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including “modified” gross-ups).

Incentives that may Motivate Excessive Risk-Taking

 

  390. Multi-year guaranteed bonuses;

 

  391. A single or common performance metric used for short- and long-term plans;

 

  392. Lucrative severance packages;

 

  393. High pay opportunities relative to industry peers;

 

  394. Disproportionate supplemental pensions; or

 

  395. Mega annual equity grants that provide unlimited upside with no downside risk.

Factors that potentially mitigate the impact of risky incentives include rigorous claw-back provisions and robust stock ownership/holding guidelines.

Options Backdating

The following factors should be examined case-by-case to allow for distinctions to be made between “sloppy” plan administration versus deliberate action or fraud:

 

  396. Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes;

 

  397. Duration of options backdating;

 

  398. Size of restatement due to options backdating;

 

  399. Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and

 

  400. Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future.

 

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Board Communications and Responsiveness

Consider the following factors case-by-case when evaluating ballot items related to executive pay on the board’s responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation issues:

 

  401. Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or

 

  402. Failure to adequately respond to the company’s previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

 

    The company’s response, including:

 

    Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

    Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

 

    Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;

 

    The company’s ownership structure; and

 

    Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

 

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Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (“Say When on Pay”)

Vote for annual advisory votes on compensation, which provide the most consistent and clear communication channel for shareholder concerns about companies’ executive pay programs.

 

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Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale

Vote case-by-case on say on Golden Parachute proposals, including consideration of existing change-in-control arrangements maintained with named executive officers rather than focusing primarily on new or extended arrangements.

Features that may result in an against recommendation include one or more of the following, depending on the number, magnitude, and/or timing of issue(s):

 

  403. Single- or modified-single-trigger cash severance;

 

  404. Single-trigger acceleration of unvested equity awards;

 

  405. Excessive cash severance (>3x base salary and bonus);

 

  406. Excise tax gross-ups triggered and payable (as opposed to a provision to provide excise tax gross-ups);

 

  407. Excessive golden parachute payments (on an absolute basis or as a percentage of transaction equity value); or

 

  408. Recent amendments that incorporate any problematic features (such as those above) or recent actions (such as extraordinary equity grants) that may make packages so attractive as to influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; or

 

  409. The company’s assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder approval of the golden parachute advisory vote.

Recent amendment(s) that incorporate problematic features will tend to carry more weight on the overall analysis. However, the presence of multiple legacy problematic features will also be closely scrutinized.

In cases where the golden parachute vote is incorporated into a company’s advisory vote on compensation (management say-on-pay), ISS will evaluate the say-on-pay proposal in accordance with these guidelines, which may give higher weight to that component of the overall evaluation.

 

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Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans

Vote case-by-case on equity-based compensation plans. Vote against the equity plan if any of the following factors apply:

 

  410. The total cost of the company’s equity plans is unreasonable;

 

  411. The plan expressly permits repricing;

 

  412. A pay-for-performance misalignment is found;

 

  413. The company’s three year burn rate exceeds the burn rate cap of its industry group;

 

  414. The plan has a liberal change-of-control definition; or

 

  415. The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices.

Each of these factors is described below:

Cost of Equity Plans

Generally, vote against equity plans if the cost is unreasonable. For non-employee director plans, vote for the plan if certain factors are met (see Director Compensation section).

The cost of the equity plans is expressed as Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT), which is measured using a binomial option pricing model that assesses the amount of shareholders’ equity flowing out of the company to employees and directors. SVT is expressed as both a dollar amount and as a percentage of market value, and includes the new shares proposed, shares available under existing plans, and shares granted but unexercised. All award types are valued. For omnibus plans, unless limitations are placed on the most expensive types of awards (for example, full value awards), the assumption is made that all awards to be granted will be the most expensive types. See discussion of specific types of awards.

The Shareholder Value Transfer is reasonable if it falls below the company-specific allowable cap. The allowable cap is determined as follows: The top quartile performers in each industry group (using the Global Industry Classification Standard: GICS) are identified. Benchmark SVT levels for each industry are established based on these top performers’ historic SVT. Regression analyses are run on each industry group to identify the variables most strongly correlated to SVT. The benchmark industry SVT level is then adjusted upwards or downwards for the specific company by plugging the company-specific performance measures, size and cash compensation into the industry cap equations to arrive at the company’s allowable cap.

Repricing Provisions

Vote against plans that expressly permit the repricing or exchange of underwater stock options/stock appreciate rights (SARs) without prior shareholder approval. “Repricing” includes the ability to do any of the following:

 

  416. Amend the terms of outstanding options or SARs to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding options or SARs;

 

  417. Cancel outstanding options or SARs in exchange for options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options or SARs.

Also, vote against OR withhold from members of the Compensation Committee who approved and/or implemented a repricing or an option/SAR exchange program, by buying out underwater options/SARs for stock, cash or other consideration or canceling underwater options/SARs and regranting options/SARs with a lower exercise price, without prior shareholder approval, even if such repricings are allowed in their equity plan.

 

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Vote against plans if the company has a history of repricing without shareholder approval, and the applicable listing standards would not preclude them from doing so.

 

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Pay-for-Performance Misalignment—Application to Equity Plans

If a significant portion of the CEO’s misaligned pay is attributed to non-performance-based equity awards, and there is an equity plan on the ballot with the CEO as one of the participants, ISS may recommend a vote against the equity plan. Considerations in voting against the equity plan may include, but are not limited to:

 

  418. Magnitude of pay misalignment;

 

  419. Contribution of non–performance-based equity grants to overall pay; and

 

  420. The proportion of equity awards granted in the last three fiscal years concentrated at the named executive officer level.

Three-Year Burn Rate/Burn Rate Commitment

Generally vote against equity plans for companies whose average three-year burn rates their burn rate caps.

Burn rate caps are calculated as the greater of: (1) the mean (m) plus one standard deviation (s) of the company’s GICS group segmented by Russell 3000 index and non-Russell 3000 index (per the Burn Rate Table published in December); and (2) two percent of weighted common shares outstanding. In addition, year-over-year burn-rate cap changes will be limited to a maximum of two (2) percentage points (plus or minus) the prior year’s burn-rate cap.

If a company fails to fulfill a burn rate commitment, vote against or withhold from the compensation committee.

In the absence of demonstrating reasonable use of equity awards under the first burn rate commitment, companies making consecutive burn rate commitments may not garner support on their proposed equity plan proposals.

 

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Burn Rate Table for 2014

 

          Russell 3000           Non-Russell 3000        

GICS

  

Description

   Mean     Standard
Deviation
    2014 Burn
Rate Cap*
    Mean     Standard
Deviation
    2014 Burn
Rate Cap*
 
1010    Energy      2.14     2.16     4.30     2.66     3.60     7.46 %* 
1510    Materials      1.55     1.30     2.85     3.20     4.65     7.85 %
2010    Capital Goods      1.81     1.39     3.20     3.28     4.88     8.16 %
2020    Commercial & Professional Services      2.55     1.82     4.37     3.68     3.65     7.33
2030    Transportation      1.53     1.80     3.33     1.71     1.98     3.69 %
2510    Automobiles & Components      1.78     2.03     3.81     2.74     3.21     5.95
2520    Consumer Durables & Apparel      2.48     1.80     4.28     3.37     4.24     7.61
2530    Consumer Services      2.55     1.61     4.16     2.16     2.12     4.28 %
2540    Media      2.45     1.98     4.43     3.23     2.24     5.47
2550    Retailing      2.41     1.75     4.16     3.39     3.21     6.60
3010, 3020, 3030    Consumer Staples      1.59     1.18     2.77     2.13     2.32     4.45 %
3510    Health Care Equipment & Services      3.00     1.82     4.82     4.81     4.27     9.08 %
3520    Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology      3.65     2.26     5.91     4.87     4.11     8.98 %
4010    Banks      1.48     1.65     3.13     1.12     1.67     2.79
4020    Diversified Financials      3.65     5.09     8.74     2.74     4.43     7.56 %* 
4030    Insurance      1.75     1.55     3.30     1.05     1.53     2.58
4040    Real Estate      1.36     1.50     2.86     1.12     1.56     2.68
4510    Software & Services      4.56     2.69     7.25     5.26     3.88     9.14 %
4520    Technology Hardware & Equipment      3.50     1.99     5.49     3.96     4.95     8.91
4530    Seminconductor Equipment      4.34     2.38     6.72     4.67     5.08     9.75
5010    Telecommunication Services      2.59     1.63     4.22     3.57     3.97     7.54
5510    Utilities      0.82     0.47     2.00 %*      1.76     1.90     3.66

The cap is generally the Mean + Standard Deviation, subject to minimum cap of 2% (de minimus allowance) and maximum +/- 2 percentage points relative to prior year burn rate cap for same industry/index group.

A premium (multiplier) is applied on full value awards for the past three fiscal years. The guideline for applying the premium is as follows:

 

Stock Price Volatility

  

Multiplier

54.6% and higher    1 full-value award will count as 1.5 option shares
36.1% or higher and less than 54.6%    1 full-value award will count as 2.0 option shares
24.9% or higher and less than 36.1%    1 full-value award will count as 2.5 option shares
16.5% or higher and less than 24.9%    1 full-value award will count as 3.0 option shares
7.9% or higher and less than 16.5%    1 full-value award will count as 3.5 option shares
Less than 7.9%    1 full-value award will count as 4.0 option shares

 

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Liberal Definition of Change in Control

Generally vote against equity plans if the plan has a liberal definition of change in control (it provides for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even though an actual change in control may not occur) and the equity awards would automatically vest upon such liberal definition of change-in-control. Examples of such a definition include, but are not limited to, announcement or commencement of a tender offer, provisions for acceleration upon a “potential” takeover, shareholder approval of a merger or other transactions, or similar language.

Problematic Pay Practices

If the equity plan on the ballot is a vehicle for problematic pay practices, vote against the plan.

 

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Specific Treatment of Certain Award Types in Equity Plan Evaluations

Dividend Equivalent Rights

Options that have Dividend Equivalent Rights (DERs) associated with them will have a higher calculated award value than those without DERs under the binomial model, based on the value of these dividend streams. The higher value will be applied to new shares, shares available under existing plans, and shares awarded but not exercised per the plan specifications. DERS transfer more shareholder equity to employees and non-employee directors and this cost should be captured.

 

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Liberal Share Recycling Provisions

Under net share counting provisions, shares tendered by an option holder to pay for the exercise of an option, shares withheld for taxes or shares repurchased by the company on the open market can be recycled back into the equity plan for awarding again. All awards with such provisions should be valued as full-value awards. Stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs) will also be considered as full-value awards if a company counts only the net shares issued to employees towards their plan reserve.

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Operating Partnership (OP) Units in Equity Plan Analysis of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

For Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS), include the common shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Operating Partnership (OP) units in the share count for the purposes of determining: (1) market capitalization in the Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) analysis and (2) shares outstanding in the burn rate analysis.

 

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Option Overhang Cost

Companies with sustained positive stock performance and high overhang cost attributable to in-the-money options outstanding in excess of six years may warrant a carve-out of these options from the overhang as long as the dilution attributable to the new share request is reasonable and the company exhibits sound compensation practices. Consider case-by-case a carve-out of a portion of cost attributable to overhang, considering the following criteria:

 

    Performance: Companies with sustained positive stock performance will merit greater scrutiny. Five-year total shareholder return (TSR), year-over-year performance, and peer performance could play a significant role in this determination.

 

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    Overhang Disclosure: Assess whether optionees have held in-the-money options for a prolonged period (thus reflecting their confidence in the prospects of the company). Note that this assessment would require additional disclosure regarding a company’s overhang. Specifically, the following disclosure would be required:

 

    The number of in-the-money options outstanding in excess of six or more years with a corresponding weighted average exercise price and weighted average contractual remaining term;

 

    The number of all options outstanding less than six years and underwater options outstanding in excess of six years with a corresponding weighted average exercise price and weighted average contractual remaining term;

 

    The general vesting provisions of option grants; and

 

    The distribution of outstanding option grants with respect to the named executive officers;

 

    Dilution: Calculate the expected duration of the new share request in addition to all shares currently available for grant under the equity compensation program, based on the company’s three-year average burn rate (or a burn-rate commitment that the company makes for future years). The expected duration will be calculated by multiplying the company’s unadjusted (options and full-value awards accounted on a one-for-one basis) three-year average burn rate by the most recent fiscal year’s weighted average shares outstanding (as used in the company’s calculation of basic EPS) and divide the sum of the new share request and all available shares under the company’s equity compensation program by the product. For example, an expected duration in excess of five years could be considered problematic; and

 

    Compensation Practices: An evaluation of overall practices could include: (1) stock option repricing provisions, (2) high concentration ratios (of grants to top executives), or (3) additional practices outlined in the Poor Pay Practices policy.

 

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Other Compensation Plans

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

Vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

 

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Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

Vote for proposals to implement an ESOP or increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, unless the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is excessive (more than five percent of outstanding shares).

 

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Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Qualified Plans

Vote case-by-case on qualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote for employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply:

 

    Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;

 

    Offering period is 27 months or less; and

 

    The number of shares allocated to the plan is 10 percent or less of the outstanding shares.

 

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Vote against qualified employee stock purchase plans where any of the following apply:

 

    Purchase price is less than 85 percent of fair market value; or

 

    Offering period is greater than 27 months; or

 

    The number of shares allocated to the plan is more than ten percent of the outstanding shares.

 

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Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Non-Qualified Plans

Vote case-by-case on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote for nonqualified employee stock purchase plans with all the following features:

 

    Broad-based participation (i.e., all employees of the company with the exclusion of individuals with 5 percent or more of beneficial ownership of the company);

 

    Limits on employee contribution, which may be a fixed dollar amount or expressed as a percent of base salary;

 

    Company matching contribution up to 25 percent of employee’s contribution, which is effectively a discount of 20 percent from market value;

 

    No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase since there is a company matching contribution.

Vote against nonqualified employee stock purchase plans when any of the plan features do not meet the above criteria. If the company matching contribution exceeds 25 percent of employee’s contribution, evaluate the cost of the plan against its allowable cap.

 

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Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals (OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals)

Generally vote for proposals to approve or amend executive incentive bonus plans if the proposal:

 

    Is only to include administrative features;

 

    Places a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m);

 

    Adds performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) unless they are clearly inappropriate; or

 

    Covers cash or cash and stock bonus plans that are submitted to shareholders for the purpose of exempting compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) if no increase in shares is requested.

Vote against such proposals if:

 

    The compensation committee does not fully consist of independent outsiders, per ISS’ director classification; or

 

    The plan contains excessive problematic provisions.

Vote case-by-case on such proposals if:

 

    In addition to seeking 162(m) tax treatment, the amendment may cause the transfer of additional shareholder value to employees (e.g., by requesting additional shares, extending the option term, or expanding the pool of plan participants). Evaluate the Shareholder Value Transfer in comparison with the company’s allowable cap; or

 

    A company is presenting the plan to shareholders for Section 162(m) favorable tax treatment for the first time after the company’s initial public offering (IPO). Perform a full equity plan analysis, including consideration of total shareholder value transfer, burn rate (if applicable), repricing, and liberal change in control. Other factors such as pay-for-performance or problematic pay practices as related to Management Say-on-Pay may be considered if appropriate.

 

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Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options

Vote case-by-case on management proposals seeking approval to exchange/reprice options taking into consideration:

 

    Historic trading patterns—the stock price should not be so volatile that the options are likely to be back “in-the-money” over the near term;

 

    Rationale for the re-pricing—was the stock price decline beyond management’s control?

 

    Is this a value-for-value exchange?

 

    Are surrendered stock options added back to the plan reserve?

 

    Option vesting—does the new option vest immediately or is there a black-out period?

 

    Term of the option—the term should remain the same as that of the replaced option;

 

    Exercise price—should be set at fair market or a premium to market;

 

    Participants—executive officers and directors should be excluded.

If the surrendered options are added back to the equity plans for re-issuance, then also take into consideration the company’s total cost of equity plans and its three-year average burn rate.

In addition to the above considerations, evaluate the intent, rationale, and timing of the repricing proposal. The proposal should clearly articulate why the board is choosing to conduct an exchange program at this point in time. Repricing underwater options after a recent precipitous drop in the company’s stock price demonstrates poor timing. Repricing after a recent decline in stock price triggers additional scrutiny and a potential against vote on the proposal. At a minimum, the decline should not have happened within the past year. Also, consider the terms of the surrendered options, such as the grant date, exercise price and vesting schedule. Grant dates of surrendered options should be far enough back (two to three years) so as not to suggest that repricings are being done to take advantage of short-term downward price movements. Similarly, the exercise price of surrendered options should be above the 52-week high for the stock price.

Vote for shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.

 

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Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash

Vote case-by-case on plans that provide participants with the option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock.

Vote for non-employee director-only equity plans that provide a dollar-for-dollar cash-for-stock exchange.

Vote case-by-case on plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange. In cases where the exchange is not dollar-for-dollar, the request for new or additional shares for such equity program will be considered using the binomial option pricing model. In an effort to capture the total cost of total compensation, ISS will not make any adjustments to carve out the in-lieu-of cash compensation.

 

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Transfer Stock Option (TSO) Programs

One-time Transfers: Vote against or withhold from compensation committee members if they fail to submit one-time transfers to shareholders for approval.

Vote case-by-case on one-time transfers. Vote for if:

 

    Executive officers and non-employee directors are excluded from participating;

 

    Stock options are purchased by third-party financial institutions at a discount to their fair value using option pricing models such as Black-Scholes or a Binomial Option Valuation or other appropriate financial models;

 

    There is a two-year minimum holding period for sale proceeds (cash or stock) for all participants.

Additionally, management should provide a clear explanation of why options are being transferred to a third-party institution and whether the events leading up to a decline in stock price were beyond management’s control. A review of the company’s historic stock price volatility should indicate if the options are likely to be back “in-the-money” over the near term.

Ongoing TSO program: Vote against equity plan proposals if the details of ongoing TSO programs are not provided to shareholders. Since TSOs will be one of the award types under a stock plan, the ongoing TSO program, structure and mechanics must be disclosed to shareholders. The specific criteria to be considered in evaluating these proposals include, but not limited, to the following:

 

    Eligibility;

 

    Vesting;

 

    Bid-price;

 

    Term of options;

 

    Cost of the program and impact of the TSOs on company’s total option expense

 

    Option repricing policy.

Amendments to existing plans that allow for introduction of transferability of stock options should make clear that only options granted post-amendment shall be transferable.

 

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Director Compensation

Equity Plans for Non-Employee Directors

Vote case-by-case on compensation plans for non-employee directors, based on the cost of the plans against the company’s allowable cap.

 

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On occasion, director stock plans that set aside a relatively small number of shares when combined with employee or executive stock compensation plans will exceed the allowable cap. Vote for the plan if ALL of the following qualitative factors in the board’s compensation are met and disclosed in the proxy statement:

 

    Director stock ownership guidelines with a minimum of three times the annual cash retainer.

 

    Vesting schedule or mandatory holding/deferral period:

 

    A minimum vesting of three years for stock options or restricted stock; or

 

    Deferred stock payable at the end of a three-year deferral period.

 

    Mix between cash and equity:

 

    A balanced mix of cash and equity, for example 40% cash/60% equity or 50% cash/50% equity; or

 

    If the mix is heavier on the equity component, the vesting schedule or deferral period should be more stringent, with the lesser of five years or the term of directorship.

 

    No retirement/benefits and perquisites provided to non-employee directors; and

 

    Detailed disclosure provided on cash and equity compensation delivered to each non-employee director for the most recent fiscal year in a table. The column headers for the table may include the following: name of each non-employee director, annual retainer, board meeting fees, committee retainer, committee-meeting fees, and equity grants.

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Non-Employee Director Retirement Plans

Vote against retirement plans for non-employee directors.

Vote for shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors.

 

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Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay)

Generally, vote for shareholder proposals that call for non-binding shareholder ratification of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers and the accompanying narrative disclosure of material factors provided to understand the Summary Compensation Table.

 

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Adopt Anti-Hedging/Pledging/Speculative Investments Policy

Generally vote for proposals seeking a policy that prohibits named executive officers from engaging in derivative or speculative transactions involving company stock, including hedging, holding stock in a margin account, or pledging stock as collateral for a loan. However, the company’s existing policies regarding responsible use of company stock will be considered.

 

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Bonus Banking/Bonus Banking “Plus”

Vote case-by-case on proposals seeking deferral of a portion of annual bonus pay, with ultimate payout linked to sustained results for the performance metrics on which the bonus was earned (whether for the named executive officers or a wider group of employees), taking into account the following factors:

 

    The company’s past practices regarding equity and cash compensation;

 

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    Whether the company has a holding period or stock ownership requirements in place, such as a meaningful retention ratio (at least 50 percent for full tenure); and

 

    Whether the company has a rigorous claw-back policy in place.

 

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Compensation Consultants—Disclosure of Board or Company’s Utilization

Generally vote for shareholder proposals seeking disclosure regarding the Company, Board, or Compensation Committee’s use of compensation consultants, such as company name, business relationship(s), and fees paid.

 

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Disclosure/Setting Levels or Types of Compensation for Executives and Directors

Generally, vote for shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information, provided the information requested is relevant to shareholders’ needs, would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry, and is not unduly burdensome to the company.

Vote against shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

Vote against shareholder proposals seeking to eliminate stock options or any other equity grants to employees or directors.

Vote against shareholder proposals requiring director fees be paid in stock only.

Generally vote against shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.

Vote case-by-case on all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long-term corporate outlook.

 

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Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits

Generally vote for proposals calling companies to adopt a policy of obtaining shareholder approval for any future agreements and corporate policies that could oblige the company to make payments or awards following the death of a senior executive in the form of unearned salary or bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites and other payments or awards made in lieu of compensation. This would not apply to any benefit programs or equity plan proposals that the broad-based employee population is eligible.

 

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Hold Equity Past Retirement or for a Significant Period of Time

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring senior executive officers to retain all or a significant portion of the shares acquired through compensation plans, either:

 

    while employed and/or for two years following the termination of their employment ; or

 

    for a substantial period following the lapse of all other vesting requirements for the award (“lock-up period”), with ratable release of a portion of the shares annually during the lock-up period.

The following factors will be taken into account:

 

    Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership requirements in place. These should consist of:

 

    Rigorous stock ownership guidelines;

 

    A holding period requirement coupled with a significant long-term ownership requirement; or

 

    A meaningful retention ratio;

 

    Actual officer stock ownership and the degree to which it meets or exceeds the proponent’s suggested holding period/retention ratio or the company’s own stock ownership or retention requirements;

 

    Post-termination holding requirement policies or any policies aimed at mitigating risk taking by senior executives;

 

    Problematic pay practices, current and past, which may promote a short-term versus a long-term focus.

A rigorous stock ownership guideline should be at least 10x base salary for the CEO, with the multiple declining for other executives. A meaningful retention ratio should constitute at least 50 percent of the stock received from equity awards (on a net proceeds basis) held on a long-term basis, such as the executive’s tenure with the company or even a few years past the executive’s termination with the company.

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring Named Executive Officers to retain 75% of the shares acquired through compensation plans while employed and/or for two years following the termination of their employment, and to report to shareholders regarding this policy. The following factors will be taken into account:

 

    Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership requirements in place. These should consist of:

 

    Rigorous stock ownership guidelines, or

 

    A holding period requirement coupled with a significant long-term ownership requirement, or

 

    A meaningful retention ratio,

 

    Actual officer stock ownership and the degree to which it meets or exceeds the proponent’s suggested holding period/retention ratio or the company’s own stock ownership or retention requirements.

 

    Problematic pay practices, current and past, which may promote a short-term versus a long-term focus.

A rigorous stock ownership guideline should be at least 10x base salary for the CEO, with the multiple declining for other executives. A meaningful retention ratio should constitute at least 50 percent of the stock received from equity awards (on a net proceeds basis) held on a long-term basis, such as the executive’s tenure with the company or even a few years past the executive’s termination with the company.

 

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Generally vote against shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board. While ISS favors stock ownership on the part of directors, the company should determine the appropriate ownership requirement.

 

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Non-Deductible Compensation

Generally vote for proposals seeking disclosure of the extent to which the company paid non-deductible compensation to senior executives due to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), while considering the company’s existing disclosure practices.

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Pay for Performance

Performance-Based Awards

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals requesting that a significant amount of future long-term incentive compensation awarded to senior executives shall be performance-based and requesting that the board adopt and disclose challenging performance metrics to shareholders, based on the following analytical steps:

 

    First, vote for shareholder proposals advocating the use of performance-based equity awards, such as performance contingent options or restricted stock, indexed options or premium-priced options, unless the proposal is overly restrictive or if the company has demonstrated that it is using a “substantial” portion of performance-based awards for its top executives. Standard stock options and performance-accelerated awards do not meet the criteria to be considered as performance-based awards. Further, premium-priced options should have a premium of at least 25 percent and higher to be considered performance-based awards.

 

    Second, assess the rigor of the company’s performance-based equity program. If the bar set for the performance-based program is too low based on the company’s historical or peer group comparison, generally vote for the proposal. Furthermore, if target performance results in an above target payout, vote for the shareholder proposal due to program’s poor design. If the company does not disclose the performance metric of the performance-based equity program, vote for the shareholder proposal regardless of the outcome of the first step to the test.

In general, vote for the shareholder proposal if the company does not meet both of the above two steps.

Pay for Superior Performance

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals that request the board establish a pay-for-superior performance standard in the company’s executive compensation plan for senior executives. These proposals generally include the following principles:

 

    Set compensation targets for the plan’s annual and long-term incentive pay components at or below the peer group median;

 

    Deliver a majority of the plan’s target long-term compensation through performance-vested, not simply time-vested, equity awards;

 

    Provide the strategic rationale and relative weightings of the financial and non-financial performance metrics or criteria used in the annual and performance-vested long-term incentive components of the plan;

 

    Establish performance targets for each plan financial metric relative to the performance of the company’s peer companies;

 

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    Limit payment under the annual and performance-vested long-term incentive components of the plan to when the company’s performance on its selected financial performance metrics exceeds peer group median performance.

Consider the following factors in evaluating this proposal:

 

    What aspects of the company’s annual and long-term equity incentive programs are performance driven?

 

    If the annual and long-term equity incentive programs are performance driven, are the performance criteria and hurdle rates disclosed to shareholders or are they benchmarked against a disclosed peer group?

 

    Can shareholders assess the correlation between pay and performance based on the current disclosure?

 

    What type of industry and stage of business cycle does the company belong to?

 

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Pre-Arranged Trading Plans (10b5-1 Plans)

Generally vote for shareholder proposals calling for certain principles regarding the use of prearranged trading plans (10b5-1 plans) for executives. These principles include:

 

    Adoption, amendment, or termination of a 10b5-1 Plan must be disclosed within two business days in a Form 8-K;

 

    Amendment or early termination of a 10b5-1 Plan is allowed only under extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the board;

 

    Ninety days must elapse between adoption or amendment of a 10b5-1 Plan and initial trading under the plan;

 

    Reports on Form 4 must identify transactions made pursuant to a 10b5-1 Plan;

 

    An executive may not trade in company stock outside the 10b5-1 Plan.

 

    Trades under a 10b5-1 Plan must be handled by a broker who does not handle other securities transactions for the executive.

 

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Prohibit CEOs from Serving on Compensation Committees

Generally vote against proposals seeking a policy to prohibit any outside CEO from serving on a company’s compensation committee, unless the company has demonstrated problematic pay practices that raise concerns about the performance and composition of the committee.

 

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Recoupment of Incentive or Stock Compensation in Specified Circumstances

Vote case-by-case on proposals to recoup incentive cash or stock compensation made to senior executives if it is later determined that the figures upon which incentive compensation is earned turn out to have been in error, or if the senior executive has breached company policy or has engaged in misconduct that may be significantly detrimental to the company’s financial position or reputation, or if the senior executive failed to manage or monitor risks that subsequently led to significant financial or reputational harm to the company. Many companies have adopted policies that permit recoupment in cases where an executive’s fraud, misconduct, or negligence significantly contributed to a restatement of financial results that led to the awarding of unearned incentive compensation. However, such policies may be narrow given that not all misconduct or negligence may result in significant financial restatements. Misconduct, negligence or lack of sufficient oversight by senior executives may lead to significant financial loss or reputational damage that may have long-lasting impact.

 

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In considering whether to support such shareholder proposals, ISS will take into consideration the following factors:

 

    If the company has adopted a formal recoupment policy;

 

    The rigor of the recoupment policy focusing on how and under what circumstances the company may recoup incentive or stock compensation;

 

    Whether the company has chronic restatement history or material financial problems;

 

    Whether the company’s policy substantially addresses the concerns raised by the proponent;

 

    Disclosure of recoupment of incentive or stock compensation from senior executives or lack thereof; or

 

    Any other relevant factors.

 

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Severance Agreements for Executives/Golden Parachutes

Vote for shareholder proposals requiring that golden parachutes or executive severance agreements be submitted for shareholder ratification, unless the proposal requires shareholder approval prior to entering into employment contracts.

Vote case-by-case on proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. An acceptable parachute should include, but is not limited to, the following:

 

    The triggering mechanism should be beyond the control of management;

 

    The amount should not exceed three times base amount (defined as the average annual taxable W-2 compensation during the five years prior to the year in which the change of control occurs);

 

    Change-in-control payments should be double-triggered, i.e., (1) after a change in control has taken place, and (2) termination of the executive as a result of the change in control. Change in control is defined as a change in the company ownership structure.

 

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Share Buyback Holding Periods

Generally vote against shareholder proposals prohibiting executives from selling shares of company stock during periods in which the company has announced that it may or will be repurchasing shares of its stock. Vote for the proposal when there is a pattern of abuse by executives exercising options or selling shares during periods of share buybacks.

 

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Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs)

Generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting to put extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote unless the company’s executive pension plans do not contain excessive benefits beyond what is offered under employee-wide plans.

Generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting to limit the executive benefits provided under the company’s supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) by limiting covered compensation to a senior executive’s annual salary and excluding of all incentive or bonus pay from the plan’s definition of covered compensation used to establish such benefits.

 

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Tax Gross-Up Proposals

Generally vote for proposals calling for companies to adopt a policy of not providing tax gross-up payments to executives, except in situations where gross-ups are provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company, such as a relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy.

 

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Termination of Employment Prior to Severance Payment/Eliminating Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Equity

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals seeking a policy requiring termination of employment prior to severance payment and/or eliminating accelerated vesting of unvested equity.

The following factors will be considered:

 

    The company’s current treatment of equity in change-of-control situations (i.e. is it double triggered, does it allow for the assumption of equity by acquiring company, the treatment of performance shares, etc.);

 

    Current employment agreements, including potential poor pay practices such as gross-ups embedded in those agreements.

Generally vote for proposals seeking a policy that prohibits acceleration of the vesting of equity awards to senior executives in the event of a change in control (except for pro rata vesting considering the time elapsed and attainment of any related performance goals between the award date and the change in control).

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6. Social/Environmental Issues

Global Approach

Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short or long term.

Generally vote case-by-case, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and in addition the following will also be considered:

 

    If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;

 

    If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

 

    Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive;

 

    The company’s approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;

 

    If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and

 

    If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

 

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Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare Policies

Generally vote for proposals seeking a report on a company’s animal welfare standards, unless:

 

    The company has already published a set of animal welfare standards and monitors compliance;

 

    The company’s standards are comparable to industry peers; and

 

    There are no recent, significant fines or litigation related to the company’s treatment of animals.

 

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Animal Testing

Generally vote against proposals to phase out the use of animals in product testing, unless:

 

    The company is conducting animal testing programs that are unnecessary or not required by regulation;

 

    The company is conducting animal testing when suitable alternatives are commonly accepted and used at industry peers; or

 

    There are recent, significant fines or litigation related to the company’s treatment of animals.

 

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Animal Slaughter

Generally vote against proposals requesting the implementation of Controlled Atmosphere Killing (CAK) methods at company and/or supplier operations unless such methods are required by legislation or generally accepted as the industry standard.

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting a report on the feasibility of implementing CAK methods at company and/or supplier operations considering the availability of existing research conducted by the company or industry groups on this topic and any fines or litigation related to current animal processing procedures at the company.

 

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Consumer Issues

Genetically Modified Ingredients

Generally vote against proposals requesting that a company voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in its products. The labeling of products with GE ingredients is best left to the appropriate regulatory authorities.

Vote case-by-case on proposals asking for a report on the feasibility of labeling products containing GE ingredients, taking into account:

 

    The potential impact of such labeling on the company’s business;

 

    The quality of the company’s disclosure on GE product labeling, related voluntary initiatives, and how this disclosure compares with industry peer disclosure; and

 

    Company’s current disclosure on the feasibility of GE product labeling.

Generally vote against proposals seeking a report on the social, health, and environmental effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Studies of this sort are better undertaken by regulators and the scientific community.

Generally vote against proposals to eliminate GE ingredients from the company’s products, or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the company’s products. Such decisions are more appropriately made by management with consideration of current regulations.

 

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Reports on Potentially Controversial Business/Financial Practices

Vote case-by-case on requests for reports on a company’s potentially controversial business or financial practices or products, taking into account:

 

    Whether the company has adequately disclosed mechanisms in place to prevent abuses;

 

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    Whether the company has adequately disclosed the financial risks of the products/practices in question;

 

    Whether the company has been subject to violations of related laws or serious controversies; and

 

    Peer companies’ policies/practices in this area.

 

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Pharmaceutical Pricing, Access to Medicines, and Prescription Drug Reimportation

Generally vote against proposals requesting that companies implement specific price restraints on pharmaceutical products unless the company fails to adhere to legislative guidelines or industry norms in its product pricing practices.

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting that a company report on its product pricing or access to medicine policies, considering:

 

    The nature of the company’s business and the potential for reputational and market risk exposure;

 

    Existing disclosure of relevant policies;

 

    Deviation from established industry norms;

 

    Relevant company initiatives to provide research and/or products to disadvantaged consumers;

 

    Whether the proposal focuses on specific products or geographic regions; and

 

    The potential burden and scope of the requested report.

Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on the financial and legal impact of its prescription drug reimportation policies unless such information is already publicly disclosed.

Generally vote against proposals requesting that companies adopt specific policies to encourage or constrain prescription drug reimportation. Such matters are more appropriately the province of legislative activity and may place the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its peers.

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Product Safety and Toxic/Hazardous Materials

Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its policies, initiatives/procedures, and oversight mechanisms related to toxic/hazardous materials or product safety in its supply chain, unless:

 

    The company already discloses similar information through existing reports such as a supplier code of conduct and/or a sustainability report;

 

    The company has formally committed to the implementation of a toxic/hazardous materials and/or product safety and supply chain reporting and monitoring program based on industry norms or similar standards within a specified time frame; and

 

    The company has not been recently involved in relevant significant controversies, fines, or litigation.

Vote case-by-case on resolutions requesting that companies develop a feasibility assessment to phase-out of certain toxic/hazardous materials, or evaluate and disclose the potential financial and legal risks associated with utilizing certain materials, considering:

 

    The company’s current level of disclosure regarding its product safety policies, initiatives and oversight

 

    mechanisms;

 

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    Current regulations in the markets in which the company operates; and

 

    Recent significant controversies, litigation, or fines stemming from toxic/hazardous materials at the company.

Generally vote against resolutions requiring that a company reformulate its products.

 

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Tobacco-Related Proposals

Vote case-by-case on resolutions regarding the advertisement of tobacco products, considering:

 

    Recent related fines, controversies, or significant litigation;

 

    Whether the company complies with relevant laws and regulations on the marketing of tobacco;

 

    Whether the company’s advertising restrictions deviate from those of industry peers;

 

    Whether the company entered into the Master Settlement Agreement, which restricts marketing of tobacco to youth; and

 

    Whether restrictions on marketing to youth extend to foreign countries.

Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding second-hand smoke, considering;

 

    Whether the company complies with all laws and regulations;

 

    The degree that voluntary restrictions beyond those mandated by law might hurt the company’s competitiveness; and

 

    The risk of any health-related liabilities.

Generally vote against resolutions to cease production of tobacco-related products, to avoid selling products to tobacco companies, to spin-off tobacco-related businesses, or prohibit investment in tobacco equities. Such business decisions are better left to company management or portfolio managers.

Generally vote against proposals regarding tobacco product warnings. Such decisions are better left to public health authorities.

 

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Climate Change

Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Generally vote for resolutions requesting that a company disclose information on the impact of climate change on its operations and investments, considering:

 

    Whether the company already provides current, publicly-available information on the impacts that climate change may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;

 

    The company’s level of disclosure is at least comparable to that of industry peers; and

 

    There are no significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s environmental performance.

 

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Generally vote for proposals requesting a report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from company operations and/or products and operations, unless:

 

    The company already discloses current, publicly-available information on the impacts that GHG emissions may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;

 

    The company’s level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; and

 

    There are no significant, controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s GHG emissions.

Vote case-by-case on proposals that call for the adoption of GHG reduction goals from products and operations, taking into account:

 

    Overly prescriptive requests for the reduction in GHG emissions by specific amounts or within a specific time frame;

 

    Whether company disclosure lags behind industry peers;

 

    Whether the company has been the subject of recent, significant violations, fines, litigation, or controversy related to GHG emissions;

 

    The feasibility of reduction of GHGs given the company’s product line and current technology; and

 

    Whether the company already provides meaningful disclosure on GHG emissions from its products and operations.

 

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Energy Efficiency

Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its energy efficiency policies, unless:

 

    The company complies with applicable energy efficiency regulations and laws, and discloses its participation in energy efficiency policies and programs, including disclosure of benchmark data, targets, and performance measures; or

 

    The proponent requests adoption of specific energy efficiency goals within specific timelines.

 

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Renewable Energy

Generally vote for requests for reports on the feasibility of developing renewable energy resources unless the report would be duplicative of existing disclosure or irrelevant to the company’s line of business.

Generally vote against proposals requesting that the company invest in renewable energy resources. Such decisions are best left to management’s evaluation of the feasibility and financial impact that such programs may have on the company.

 

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Diversity

Board Diversity

Generally vote for requests for reports on a company’s efforts to diversify the board, unless:

 

    The gender and racial minority representation of the company’s board is reasonably inclusive in relation to companies of similar size and business; and

 

    The board already reports on its nominating procedures and gender and racial minority initiatives on the board and within the company.

Vote case-by-case on proposals asking a company to increase the gender and racial minority representation on its board, taking into account:

 

    The degree of existing gender and racial minority diversity on the company’s board and among its executive officers;

 

    The level of gender and racial minority representation that exists at the company’s industry peers;

 

    The company’s established process for addressing gender and racial minority board representation;

 

    Whether the proposal includes an overly prescriptive request to amend nominating committee charter language;

 

    The independence of the company’s nominating committee;

 

    Whether the company uses an outside search firm to identify potential director nominees; and

 

    Whether the company has had recent controversies, fines, or litigation regarding equal employment practices.

 

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Equality of Opportunity

Generally vote for proposals requesting a company disclose its diversity policies or initiatives, or proposals requesting disclosure of a company’s comprehensive workforce diversity data, including requests for EEO-1 data, unless:

 

    The company publicly discloses equal opportunity policies and initiatives in a comprehensive manner;

 

    The company already publicly discloses comprehensive workforce diversity data; and

 

    The company has no recent significant EEO-related violations or litigation.

Generally vote against proposals seeking information on the diversity efforts of suppliers and service providers. Such requests may pose a significant burden on the company.

 

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Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Domestic Partner Benefits

Generally vote for proposals seeking to amend a company’s EEO statement or diversity policies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, unless the change would be unduly burdensome.

Generally vote against proposals to extend company benefits to, or eliminate benefits from domestic partners. Decisions regarding benefits should be left to the discretion of the company.

 

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Environment and Sustainability

Facility and Workplace Safety

Vote case-by-case on requests for workplace safety reports, including reports on accident risk reduction efforts, taking into account:

 

    The company’s current level of disclosure of its workplace health and safety performance data, health and safety management policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms;

 

    The nature of the company’s business, specifically regarding company and employee exposure to health and safety risks;

 

    Recent significant controversies, fines, or violations related to workplace health and safety; and

 

    The company’s workplace health and safety performance relative to industry peers.

Vote case-by-case on resolutions requesting that a company report on safety and/or security risks associated with its operations and/or facilities, considering:

 

    The company’s compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines;

 

    The company’s current level of disclosure regarding its security and safety policies, procedures, and compliance monitoring; and

 

    The existence of recent, significant violations, fines, or controversy regarding the safety and security of the company’s operations and/or facilities.

 

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General Environmental Proposals and Community Impact Assessments

Vote case-by-case on requests for reports on policies and/or the potential (community) social and/or environmental impact of company operations, considering:

 

    Current disclosure of applicable policies and risk assessment report(s) and risk management procedures;

 

    The impact of regulatory non-compliance, litigation, remediation, or reputational loss that may be associated with failure to manage the company’s operations in question, including the management of relevant community and stakeholder relations;

 

    The nature, purpose, and scope of the company’s operations in the specific region(s);

 

    The degree to which company policies and procedures are consistent with industry norms; and

 

    The scope of the resolution.

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Hydraulic Fracturing

Generally vote for proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company’s (natural gas) hydraulic fracturing operations, including measures the company has taken to manage and mitigate the potential community and environmental impacts of those operations, considering:

 

    The company’s current level of disclosure of relevant policies and oversight mechanisms;

 

    The company’s current level of such disclosure relative to its industry peers;

 

    Potential relevant local, state, or national regulatory developments; and

 

    Controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company’s hydraulic fracturing operations.

 

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Operations in Protected Areas

Generally vote for requests for reports on potential environmental damage as a result of company operations in protected regions, unless:

 

    Operations in the specified regions are not permitted by current laws or regulations;

 

    The company does not currently have operations or plans to develop operations in these protected regions; or

 

    The company’s disclosure of its operations and environmental policies in these regions is comparable to industry peers.

 

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Recycling

Vote case-by-case on proposals to report on an existing recycling program, or adopt a new recycling program, taking into account:

 

    The nature of the company’s business;

 

    The current level of disclosure of the company’s existing related programs;

 

    The timetable and methods of program implementation prescribed by the proposal;

 

    The company’s ability to address the issues raised in the proposal; and

 

    How the company’s recycling programs compare to similar programs of its industry peers.

 

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Sustainability Reporting

Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, unless:

 

    The company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such as an environment, health, and safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive code of corporate conduct; and/or a diversity report; or

 

    The company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a specified time frame.

 

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Water Issues

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting a company report on, or adopt a new policy on, water-related risks and concerns, taking into account:

 

    The company’s current disclosure of relevant policies, initiatives, oversight mechanisms, and water usage metrics;

 

    Whether or not the company’s existing water-related policies and practices are consistent with relevant internationally recognized standards and national/local regulations;

 

    The potential financial impact or risk to the company associated with water-related concerns or issues; and

 

    Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding water use by the company and its suppliers.

 

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General Corporate Issues

Charitable Contributions

Vote against proposals restricting a company from making charitable contributions. Charitable contributions are generally useful for assisting worthwhile causes and for creating goodwill in the community. In the absence of bad faith, self-dealing, or gross negligence, management should determine which, and if, contributions are in the best interests of the company.

 

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Data Security, Privacy, and Internet Issues

Vote case-by-case on resolutions requesting the disclosure and implementation of Internet privacy and censorship policies and procedures, considering:

 

    The level of disclosure of company policies and procedures relating to Internet privacy, freedom of speech, Internet censorship, and government monitoring of the Internet;

 

    Engagement in dialogue with governments and/or relevant groups with respect to the Internet and the free flow of information;

 

    The scope of business involvement and of investment in markets that maintain government censorship or monitoring of the Internet;

 

    The market-specific laws or regulations applicable to Internet censorship or monitoring that may be imposed on the company; and

 

    The level of controversy or litigation related to the company’s international human rights policies and procedures.

 

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Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Compensation-Related Proposals

Vote case-by-case on proposals to link, or report on linking, executive compensation to sustainability (environmental and social) criteria, considering:

 

    Whether the company has significant and/or persistent controversies or regulatory violations regarding social and/or environmental issues;

 

    Whether the company has management systems and oversight mechanisms in place regarding its social and environmental performance;

 

    The degree to which industry peers have incorporated similar non-financial performance criteria in their executive compensation practices; and

 

    The company’s current level of disclosure regarding its environmental and social performance.

Generally vote against proposals calling for an analysis of the pay disparity between corporate executives and other non-executive employees. The value of the information sought by such proposals is unclear.

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Human Rights, Labor Issues, and International Operations

Human Rights Proposals

Generally vote for proposals requesting a report on company or company supplier labor and/or human rights standards and policies unless such information is already publicly disclosed.

Vote case-by-case on proposals to implement company or company supplier labor and/or human rights standards and policies, considering:

 

    The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed;

 

    Whether or not existing relevant policies are consistent with internationally recognized standards;

 

    Whether company facilities and those of its suppliers are monitored and how;

 

    Company participation in fair labor organizations or other internationally recognized human rights initiatives;

 

    Scope and nature of business conducted in markets known to have higher risk of workplace labor/human rights abuse;

 

    Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human rights at the company or its suppliers;

 

    The scope of the request; and

 

    Deviation from industry sector peer company standards and practices.

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting that a company conduct an assessment of the human rights risks in its operations or in its supply chain, or report on its human rights risk assessment process, considering:

 

    The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed, including information on the implementation of these policies and any related oversight mechanisms;

 

    The company’s industry and whether the company or its suppliers operate in countries or areas where there is a history of human rights concerns;

 

    Recent, significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human rights involving the company or its suppliers, and whether the company has taken remedial steps; and

 

    Whether the proposal is unduly burdensome or overly prescriptive.

 

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Operations in High Risk Markets

Vote case-by-case on requests for a report on a company’s potential financial and reputational risks associated with operations in “high-risk” markets, such as a terrorism-sponsoring state or politically/socially unstable region, taking into account:

 

    The nature, purpose, and scope of the operations and business involved that could be affected by social or political disruption;

 

    Current disclosure of applicable risk assessment(s) and risk management procedures;

 

    Compliance with U.S. sanctions and laws;

 

    Consideration of other international policies, standards, and laws; and

 

    Whether the company has been recently involved in recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation related to its operations in “high-risk” markets.

 

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Outsourcing/Offshoring

Vote case-by-case on proposals calling for companies to report on the risks associated with outsourcing/plant closures, considering:

 

    Controversies surrounding operations in the relevant market(s);

 

    The value of the requested report to shareholders;

 

    The company’s current level of disclosure of relevant information on outsourcing and plant closure procedures; and

 

    The company’s existing human rights standards relative to industry peers.

 

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Weapons and Military Sales

Vote against reports on foreign military sales or offsets. Such disclosures may involve sensitive and confidential information. Moreover, companies must comply with government controls and reporting on foreign military sales.

Generally vote against proposals asking a company to cease production or report on the risks associated with the use of depleted uranium munitions or nuclear weapons components and delivery systems, including disengaging from current and proposed contracts. Such contracts are monitored by government agencies, serve multiple military and non-military uses, and withdrawal from these contracts could have a negative impact on the company’s business.

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Political Activities

Lobbying

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting information on a company’s lobbying (including direct, indirect, and grassroots lobbying) activities, policies, or procedures, considering:

 

    The company’s current disclosure of relevant lobbying policies, and management and board oversight;

 

    The company’s disclosure regarding trade associations or other groups that it supports, or is a member of, that engage in lobbying activities; and

 

    Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s lobbying-related activities.

 

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Political Contributions

Generally vote for proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company’s political contributions and trade association spending policies and activities, considering:

 

    The company’s current disclosure of policies and oversight mechanisms related to its direct political contributions and payments to trade associations or other groups that may be used for political purposes, including information on the types of organizations supported and the business rationale for supporting these organizations; and

 

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    Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company’s political contributions or political activities.

Vote against proposals barring a company from making political contributions. Businesses are affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level; barring political contributions can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.

Vote against proposals to publish in newspapers and other media a company’s political contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing commensurate value to shareholders.

 

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Political Ties

Generally vote against proposals asking a company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace, so long as:

 

    There are no recent, significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s political contributions or trade association spending; and

 

    The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibit coercion.

Vote against proposals asking for a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company. Such a list would be burdensome to prepare without providing any meaningful information to shareholders.

 

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7. Mutual Fund Proxies

Election of Directors

Vote case-by-case on the election of directors and trustees, following the same guidelines for uncontested directors for public company shareholder meetings. However, mutual fund boards do not usually have compensation committees, so do not withhold for the lack of this committee.

 

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Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund

Vote case-by-case on conversion proposals, considering the following factors:

 

    Past performance as a closed-end fund;

 

    Market in which the fund invests;

 

    Measures taken by the board to address the discount; and

 

    Past shareholder activism, board activity, and votes on related proposals.

 

uuu uu

Proxy Contests

Vote case-by-case on proxy contests, considering the following factors:

 

    Past performance relative to its peers;

 

    Market in which fund invests;

 

    Measures taken by the board to address the issues;

 

    Past shareholder activism, board activity, and votes on related proposals;

 

    Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents;

 

    Independence of directors;

 

    Experience and skills of director candidates;

 

    Governance profile of the company;

 

    Evidence of management entrenchment.

 

uuu uu

Investment Advisory Agreements

Vote case-by-case on investment advisory agreements, considering the following factors:

 

    Proposed and current fee schedules;

 

    Fund category/investment objective;

 

    Performance benchmarks;

 

    Share price performance as compared with peers;

 

    Resulting fees relative to peers;

 

    Assignments (where the advisor undergoes a change of control).

 

uuu uu

 

B-157

 

 

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Approving New Classes or Series of Shares

Vote for the establishment of new classes or series of shares.

 

uuu uu

Preferred Stock Proposals

Vote case-by-case on the authorization for or increase in preferred shares, considering the following factors:

 

    Stated specific financing purpose;

 

    Possible dilution for common shares;

 

    Whether the shares can be used for antitakeover purposes.

 

uuu uu

1940 Act Policies

Vote case-by-case on policies under the Investment Advisor Act of 1940, considering the following factors:

 

    Potential competitiveness;

 

    Regulatory developments;

 

    Current and potential returns; and

 

    Current and potential risk.

Generally vote for these amendments as long as the proposed changes do not fundamentally alter the investment focus of the fund and do comply with the current SEC interpretation.

 

uuu uu

Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Nonfundamental Restriction

Vote case-by-case on proposals to change a fundamental restriction to a non-fundamental restriction, considering the following factors:

 

    The fund’s target investments;

 

    The reasons given by the fund for the change; and

 

    The projected impact of the change on the portfolio.

 

uuu uu

Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental

Vote against proposals to change a fund’s fundamental investment objective to non-fundamental.

 

uuu uu

 

B-158

 

 

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Name Change Proposals

Vote case-by-case on name change proposals, considering the following factors:

 

    Political/economic changes in the target market;

 

    Consolidation in the target market; and

 

    Current asset composition.

 

uuu uu

Change in Fund’s Subclassification

Vote case-by-case on changes in a fund’s sub-classification, considering the following factors:

 

    Potential competitiveness;

 

    Current and potential returns;

 

    Risk of concentration;

 

    Consolidation in target industry.

 

uuu uu

Business Development Companies—Authorization to Sell Shares of Common Stock at a Price below Net Asset Value

Vote for proposals authorizing the board to issue shares below Net Asset Value (NAV) if:

 

    The proposal to allow share issuances below NAV has an expiration date no more than one year from the date shareholders approve the underlying proposal, as required under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

    The sale is deemed to be in the best interests of shareholders by (1) a majority of the company’s independent directors and (2) a majority of the company’s directors who have no financial interest in the issuance; and

 

    The company has demonstrated responsible past use of share issuances by either:

 

    Outperforming peers in its 8-digit GICS group as measured by one- and three-year median TSRs; or

 

    Providing disclosure that its past share issuances were priced at levels that resulted in only small or moderate discounts to NAV and economic dilution to existing non-participating shareholders.

 

uuuuu

Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation

Vote case-by-case on proposals to dispose of assets, to terminate or liquidate, considering the following factors:

 

    Strategies employed to salvage the company;

 

    The fund’s past performance;

 

    The terms of the liquidation.

 

uuu uu

Changes to the Charter Document

Vote case-by-case on changes to the charter document, considering the following factors:

 

    The degree of change implied by the proposal;

 

    The efficiencies that could result;

 

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    The state of incorporation;

 

    Regulatory standards and implications.

Vote against any of the following changes:

 

    Removal of shareholder approval requirement to reorganize or terminate the trust or any of its series;

 

    Removal of shareholder approval requirement for amendments to the new declaration of trust;

 

    Removal of shareholder approval requirement to amend the fund’s management contract, allowing the contract to be modified by the investment manager and the trust management, as permitted by the 1940 Act;

 

    Allow the trustees to impose other fees in addition to sales charges on investment in a fund, such as deferred sales charges and redemption fees that may be imposed upon redemption of a fund’s shares;

 

    Removal of shareholder approval requirement to engage in and terminate subadvisory arrangements;

 

    Removal of shareholder approval requirement to change the domicile of the fund.

 

uuu uu

Changing the Domicile of a Fund

Vote case-by-case on re-incorporations, considering the following factors:

 

    Regulations of both states;

 

    Required fundamental policies of both states;

 

    The increased flexibility available.

 

uuu uu

Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisers Without Shareholder Approval

Vote against proposals authorizing the board to hire or terminate subadvisers without shareholder approval if the investment adviser currently employs only one subadviser.

 

uuu uu

Distribution Agreements

Vote case-by-case on distribution agreement proposals, considering the following factors:

 

    Fees charged to comparably sized funds with similar objectives;

 

    The proposed distributor’s reputation and past performance;

 

    The competitiveness of the fund in the industry;

 

    The terms of the agreement.

 

uuu uu

Master-Feeder Structure

Vote for the establishment of a master-feeder structure.

 

uuu uu

 

B-160

 

 

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Mergers

Vote case-by-case on merger proposals, considering the following factors:

 

    Resulting fee structure;

 

    Performance of both funds;

 

    Continuity of management personnel;

 

    Changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

 

uuuuu

Shareholder Proposals for Mutual Funds

Establish Director Ownership Requirement

Generally vote against shareholder proposals that mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.

 

uuuu u

Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When supporting the dissidents, vote for the reimbursement of the proxy solicitation expenses.

 

uuuu u

Terminate the Investment Advisor

Vote case-by-case on proposals to terminate the investment advisor, considering the following factors:

 

    Performance of the fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV);

 

    The fund’s history of shareholder relations;

 

    The performance of other funds under the advisor’s management.

 

uuuuu

 

B-161

 

 

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8. Foreign Private Issuers Listed on U.S. Exchanges

Vote against (or withhold from) non-independent director nominees at companies which fail to meet the following criteria: a majority-independent board, and the presence of an audit, a compensation, and a nomination committee, each of which is entirely composed of independent directors.

Where the design and disclosure levels of equity compensation plans are comparable to those seen at U.S. companies, U.S. compensation policy will be used to evaluate the compensation plan proposals. Otherwise, they, and all other voting items, will be evaluated using the relevant ISS regional or market proxy voting guidelines.

 

uuuuu

 

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Disclosure/Disclaimer

This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the “Information”) is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.

The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve, or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS for A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits), or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

 

uuu uu

 

B-163

 

 

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THE GLENMEDE PORTFOLIOS

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28.    Exhibits
(a)      Master Trust Agreement, dated March 3, 1992, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on December 29, 1995.
(b)   (1)    By-Laws of the Registrant, dated March 3, 1992, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
  (2)    Amendment No. 1 to the By-Laws of the Registrant, adopted on September 15, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on December 12, 2004 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 18”).
(c)      See: Articles IV and V of Registrant’s Master Trust Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit (a); and Article 7 of Registrant’s By-laws, which are incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit (b).
(d)   (1)    Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and The Glenmede Trust Company, dated June 5, 1992, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
  (2)    Supplement, dated March 2, 1993, to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and The Glenmede Trust Company, relating to the New Jersey Muni and Maryland Muni Portfolios is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
  (3)    Amendment No. 1, dated September 13, 1994, to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and The Glenmede Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
  (4)    Assumption and Guarantee, dated September 1, 2000, between The Glenmede Trust Company and Glenmede Advisers, Inc., with respect to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and The Glenmede Trust Company, relating to the New Jersey Muni and Muni Intermediate Portfolios, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2001(“Post-Effective Amendment No. 13”).
  (5)    Amendment No. 2, dated January 1, 2007, to the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, Glenmede Advisers, Inc. and Glenmede Investment Management LP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on February 23, 2007 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 22”).
(e)   (1)    Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2008, among the Registrant, Quasar Distributors, Inc. and Glenmede Investment Management LP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on December 18, 2008 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 24”).


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(f)      Not Applicable.
(g)   (1)    Custody Agreement, dated September 1, 2001, between the Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 14.
  (2)    Amendment to Custody Agreement, effective March 28, 2003, between Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on December 12, 2003 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 16”).
  (3)    First Amendment to Custody Agreement, dated December 10, 2003, between the Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on February 27, 2004 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 17”).
(h)   (1)    Administration Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2002, between Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 14.
  (2)    Transfer Agency Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2002, between Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 14.
  (3)    Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2004 and Plan, dated as of December 10, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17.
  (4)    First Amendment to Administration Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2003, between Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17.
  (5)    First Amendment to Transfer Agency Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2003, between Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17.
  (6)    Termination and Renewal Agreement, dated August 1, 2007 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2008 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 23”).
(i)   (1)    Opinion of Counsel as to Legality of Securities Being Registered is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 of Post-Effective Amendment (No. 9 Nos. 33-46593/811-6578) filed with the SEC on March 2, 1998 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 9”).

 

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(j)   (1)    Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(1).
  (2)    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(2).
(k)      Not Applicable.
(l)   (1)    Purchase Agreement between Registrant and The Glenmede Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9.
  (2)    Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and The Glenmede Trust Company relating to the New Jersey Muni and Maryland Muni Portfolios, dated November 1, 1993, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
(m)      Not Applicable.
(n)      Not Applicable.
(p)   (1)    Revised Code of Ethics of The Glenmede Portfolios is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 32.
  (2)    Amended Code of Ethics of Glenmede Investment Management LP is filed herein as Exhibit (p)(2).
(q)   (1)    Powers of Attorney for H. Franklin Allen, Ph.D., Susan W. Catherwood, William L. Cobb, Jr., Gail E. Keppler, Francis J. Palamara, G. Thompson Pew, Jr. and Harry Wong are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26.
Item 29.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
     Registrant is not controlled by or under common control with any person. Registrant is controlled by its Board of Trustees.
Item 30.    Indemnification

Reference is made to Article VI of Registrant’s Master Trust Agreement which is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 1. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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Item 31.     Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor

  Reference is made to the caption of “Investment Advisor” in the Prospectus in Part A of this Registration Statement and “Investment Advisory and Other Services” in Part B of this Registration Statement.

  Set forth below is a list of all of the directors, senior officers and those officers primarily responsible for Registrant’s affairs and, with respect to each such person, the name and business address of the Company (if any) with which such person has been connected at any time since October 31, 2011, as well as the capacity in which such person was connected.

 

Name and Position with

Glenmede Investment

Management LP

  

Business Address

of other Company

  

Connection with

other Company

Gordon B. Fowler

Managing Director and

Chief Investment Officer

  

The Glenmede Trust

Company, N.A.

   President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer

Mary Ann B. Wirts

Managing Director and

Chief Administrative Officer

   The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A.    Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer
   Morris Animal Refuge    Board Member
   The Acorn Club    Board Member

James R. Belanger

Managing Director

   The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A.    Managing Director, Corporate Counsel and Managing Director of Business Assurance
   Tilton Family Trust    Co-Trustee
   Louis Tilton Rev. Trust    Co-Trustee
   United Way Fund Distribution Committee    Member

Laura Williamson

Managing Director and

Chief Operating Officer

   The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A.    Managing Director and Director of Investment Management

Robert J. Mancuso

Portfolio Manager, Small Cap Equity

      First Vice President and Managing Director of Equities

Stephen J. Mahoney

Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income

      First Vice President

Anthony K. Iuliano

Director of Equity Trading

      First Vice President

Peter Zuleba

Managing Director and

Director of Investment Management

   The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A.    First Vice President

 

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Laura LaRosa

Director of Fixed Income

Management

   The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A.    First Vice President

Vladimir de Vassal

Director of Quantitative

Research

      First Vice President

Kimberly C. Osborne

Relationship Manager,

Client Service

      Vice President

Rosemarie J. Kane

Portfolio Execution Manager,

Client Service

      Vice President

Christopher J. Colarik

Portfolio Manager, Small

Cap Equity

      Vice President

John R. Kichula

Research Analyst, Equity

      Vice President

R. Bradford Hoopman

Research Analyst, Equity

      Vice President

John Thomas

Portfolio Manager, Fixed

Income

      Vice President

Paul T. Sullivan

Portfolio Manager, Equity

      Vice President

Wade Wescott

Portfolio Manager, Value

Equity

      Vice President

Maria McGarry

Chief Compliance Officer

   The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A.    Vice President

 

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Item 32.    Principal Underwriters.

 

  (a) In addition to The Glenmede Portfolios, Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar Distributors”) currently acts as distributor for The Glenmede Fund, Inc. Quasar Distributors also acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies:

 

Academy Fund Trust
AC One China Fund
Advantus Mutual Funds
Aegis Funds
Akre Funds
Allied Asset Advisors Funds
AlphaClone ETF Fund
Alpha Funds
Alpine Equity Trust
Alpine Income Trust
Alpine Series Trust
American Trust
AMI Funds
Appleton Group
Appleton Partners Inc
Balter Liquid Alternatives
Barrett Growth Fund
Barrett Opportunity Fund
Becker Value Equity Fund
Boston Common Funds
Brandes Investment Trust
Bridges Investment Fund, Inc.
Bright Rock Funds
Brookfield Investment Funds
Brown Advisory Funds
Buffalo Funds
Bushido Funds
CAN SLIM Select Growth Fund
Capital Advisors Funds
Capital Group Commingled Funds
Chase Funds
Coho Funds
Coldstream Funds
Collins Capital Funds
Congress Fund
Consilium Funds
Contravisory Funds
Convergence Funds
Cove Street Capital Funds
Cushing MLP Funds
Davidson Funds
Dearborn Funds
DoubleLine Funds

 

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DSM Capital Funds
Edgar Lomax Value Fund
Evermore Global Investors Trust
FactorShares Trust
First American Funds, Inc.
Fort Pitt Capital Group, Inc.
Fund X Funds
Geneva Advisors Funds
Gerstein Fisher Funds
Glenmede Fund, Inc.
Glenmede Portfolios
Goodhaven Funds
Great Lakes Funds
Greenspring Fund
Guinness Atkinson Funds
Harding Loevner Funds
Hennessy Funds, Inc
Hennessy Mutual Funds, Inc.
Hennessy SPARX Funds Trust
Hilton Capital
Hodges Funds
Hotchkis and Wiley Funds
Huber Funds
Intrepid Capital Management
Ironbridge Funds
Jacob Funds II
Jacob Funds, Inc.
Jensen Funds
Kellner Funds
Kirr Marbach Partners Funds, Inc
KKR Funds
Lawson Kroeker Funds
LKCM Funds
LoCorr Investment Trust
Litman Gregory Masters Funds
Logan Capital Funds
Loeb King Funds
MainGate MLP Funds
Matrix Asset Advisors, Inc.
McKinley Funds
MD Sass
Merger Fund
Mesirow Financial
Monetta Fund, Inc.
Monetta Trust
Morgan Dempsey Funds
Muhlenkamp (Wexford Trust)
Muzinich Funds

 

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New Path Funds
Nicholas Funds
Nuance Funds
Orinda Funds
O’Shaughnessy Funds
Osterweis Funds
Otter Creek Funds
Pension Partners Funds
Permanent Portfolio Funds
Perritt Funds
PIA Funds
Poplar Forest Partners Fund
Port Street Funds
Portfolio 21
Primecap Odyssey Funds
Prospector Funds
Provident Mutual Funds, Inc.
Purisima Funds
Pzena Funds
Rainier Funds
RBC Funds Trust
Reinhart Funds
Rockefeller Funds
Samson Funds
Scharf Funds
Schooner Investment Group
SCS Financial Funds
Semper Funds
Shenkman Funds
Smead Value Fund
Smith Group Funds
Snow Capital Family of Funds
Southport Lane Funds
Stone Ridge Funds
Stone Ridge Trust II
Strategic Income Funds
Thomas White Funds
Thompson IM Funds, Inc.
Tiedemann Funds
TIFF Investment Program, Inc.
Tortoise Funds
Tygh Capital Management
USA Mutuals Funds
USFS Funds
Vident Funds
Villere & Co
Visium Funds

 

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Wall Street Fund, Inc.
Wasber Schroeder Funds
WBI Funds
Westchester Capital Funds
Windowpane Advisors, LLC
Wisconsin Capital Funds, Inc.
WY Funds
YCG Funds
Ziegler Strategic Income Fund

Quasar is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Quasar is located at 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

 

(b) Information regarding Quasar Distributors, LLC is described in Schedule A of its Form BD as currently on file with the SEC, the text of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The business address for each of the executive officers and directors of Quasar, except Mr. Kern and Mr. Falkeis, is US Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. The business address for Mr. Kern and Mr. Falkeis is US Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

CRD # on Form BD

103848

 

Name and Principal

Business Address

  

Positions and Offices with

Principal Underwriter

  

Positions and Officers

With Fund

James Robert Schoenike    President and Board Member    None
Joe Redwine    Board Member    None
Joseph Bree    Chief Financial Officer    None
Robert Kern    Board Member    None
Eric Walter Falkeis    Board Member    None
Andrew M. Strnad    Secretary    None
Teresa Cowan    Assistant Secretary    None
Susan LaFond    Treasurer    None
John Kinsella    Assistant Treasurer    None
Brett Scribner    Assistant Treasurer    None

 

(c) Not applicable.

 

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Item 33.

   Location of Accounts and Records.

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder will be maintained at the offices of:

 

     (1)          Glenmede Investment Management LP
        One Liberty Place
        1650 Market Street, Suite 1200
        Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
        (records relating to its functions as investment advisor)
     (2)    State Street Bank and Trust Company
        4 Copley Place, 5th Floor
        CPH-0326
        Boston, MA 02116
        (records relating to its functions as custodian, administrator, transfer agent,
        dividend disbursing agent and securities lending agent)
     (3)    Quasar Distributors, LLC
        615 East Michigan Street
        Milwaukee, WI 53202
        (records relating to its functions as distributor)
     (4)    Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
        One Logan Square
        Suite 2000
        Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996
        (Registrant’s minute books)
Item 34.      Management Services.
     Not applicable.

 

Item 35.      Undertakings.

 

(a) Registrant undertakes to comply with the provisions of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act in regard to shareholders’ right to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting on the removal of trustees and to assist in shareholder communications in such matters, to the extent required by law. Specifically, the Registrant will, if requested to do so by the holders of at least 10% of the Registrant’s outstanding voting shares, call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of the removal of trustees, and the Registrant will assist in shareholder communications as required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.

 

(b) Registrant undertakes to furnish to each person to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of Registrant’s latest annual report to shareholders, upon request and without charge.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to its Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Philadelphia, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the 28th day of February, 2014.

 

THE GLENMEDE PORTFOLIOS
By  

/s/ Mary Ann B. Wirts

  Mary Ann B. Wirts
  President and Treasurer
  (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement had been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 28th day of February, 2014.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

G. Thompson Pew, Jr.

   Chairman   February 28, 2014

/s/ Mary Ann B. Wirts

Mary Ann B. Wirts

   President (Chief Executive Officer) and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)   February 28, 2014

*

H. Franklin Allen, Ph.D.

   Trustee   February 28, 2014

*

Susan W. Catherwood

   Trustee   February 28, 2014

*

William L. Cobb, Jr.

   Trustee   February 28, 2014

*

Gail E. Keppler

   Trustee   February 28, 2014

*

Francis J. Palamara

   Trustee   February 28, 2014

*

Harry Wong

   Trustee   February 28, 2014

 

*By  

/s/ Michael P. Malloy

  Michael P.Malloy,Attorney-in-fact

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

    

(j)

   (1)    Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

(j)

   (2)    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC

(p)

   (2)    Amended Code of Ethics of Glenmede Investment Management LP

 

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