485APOS 1 d407025d485apos.htm TCW FUNDS INC TCW Funds Inc

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2017

Securities Act File No. 033-52272

Investment Company Act File No. 811-07170

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

   [X]

Pre-Effective Amendment No.       

   [   ]

Post-Effective Amendment No. 101

   [X]

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

   [X]

Amendment No. 104

TCW FUNDS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800

Los Angeles, CA 90017

(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: 1 (213) 244-0000

Patrick W. Dennis, Esq.

Assistant Secretary

865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800

Los Angeles, CA 90017

(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)

[   ] On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

[   ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

[   ] On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

[X] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

[   ] On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) 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.

 

 

Please send a copy of communications to:

David A. Hearth, Esq.

Paul Hastings LLP

101 California Street, 48th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105


LOGO

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

Subject to Completion – August [      ], 2017

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

LOGO

This Prospectus tells you about the Class I and Class N shares of the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund (the “Fund”) offered by TCW Funds, Inc. Please read this document carefully before investing, and keep it for future reference.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


Table of Contents

 

Fund Summary

  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

     3  
Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares      6  

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

     6  

Purchase Minimums for All Share Classes

     6  

Tax Information

     6  
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries      6  
Principal Risks of the Fund      7  
Additional Risks      10  

Securities Lending Risk

     10  

Valuation Risk

     10  
Management of the Fund      11  

Investment Advisor

     11  

Portfolio Managers

     11  

Advisory Agreement

     11  

Payments by the Advisor

     12  

Multiple Class Structure

     12  
Other Shareholder Servicing Expenses Paid by the Fund      12  
Your Investment – Account Policies and Services      12  

Buying Shares

     12  

Calculation of NAV

     13  

Minimums

     13  

Automatic Investment Plan

     14  

Selling Shares

     14  

Signature Guarantees

     14  

Exchanging Shares

     15  

Third Party Transactions

     15  

Account Statements

     15  

Household Mailings

     15  

General Policies

     15  

Trading Limits

     15  

To Open an Account/To Add to an Account

     16  

To Sell or Exchange Shares

     18  

Distributions and Taxes

     19  

Portfolio Holdings Information

     20  
Financial Highlights      20  
Glossary      21  
 

 

2


TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

None.

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

 

     Share Classes        
      I    N

Management Fees

   [            ]%                [            ]%         

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

   [            ]%                [            ]%         

Other Expenses1

   [            ]%                [            ]%         

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

   [            ]%                [            ]%         

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2

   [            ]%                [            ]%         

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement 2

   [            ]%                [            ]%         

 

1 Other Expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year.

 

2  The Fund’s investment advisor has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, brokerage, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) to [            ]% of average daily net assets. This contractual fee waiver/expense reimbursement will remain in place through [February 28], 2018 and before that date, the investment advisor may not terminate this arrangement without approval of the Board of Directors.

Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

This example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The cost of investing in the Fund reflects the net expenses of the Fund that result from the contractual expense limitation in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

Share Classes    1 Year                      3 Years

I

     $[            ]                      $[            ]         

N

     $[            ]                      $[            ]        

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund 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 Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in publicly traded equity securities of growth businesses that the portfolio managers believe are benefitting from or have the potential to benefit from advances in the use of artificial intelligence. Bottom up fundamental research is used to identify these companies. If the Fund changes this investment policy, it will notify shareholders in writing at least 60 days in advance of the change. Equity securities include common and preferred stock; rights or warrants to purchase common or preferred stock; securities convertible into common or preferred stock such as convertible preferred stock, bonds or debentures; American Depository Receipts (ADRs); and other securities with equity characteristics.

 

3


The Fund will typically invest in companies in information technology, consumer discretionary, industrial and health care sectors with market capitalizations of at least $300 million at the time of acquisition. The Fund typically invests in a portfolio of 25 to 60 companies. The portfolio managers will use both qualitative and quantitative screening criteria to supplement their fundamental research. The portfolio managers’ qualitative screening focuses on those companies benefitting from the rising influence of artificial intelligence in analysis, forecasting, efficiency, automation, consistency and scale.

Portfolio securities may be sold for a number of reasons, including when a company fails to meet expectations or when the portfolio managers believe that (i) there has been a deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of a company, (ii) the intermediate- and long-term prospects for a company are poor or the original thesis was flawed or has been damaged, (iii) another security may offer a better investment opportunity, (iv) an individual security has reached its sell target or the investment therein has been exhausted, or (v) the portfolio should be rebalanced for diversification or portfolio weighting purposes.

Principal Risks

Since the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well as up. You can lose money by investing in the Fund.

The principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:

 

  equity risk: the risk that stocks and other equity securities generally fluctuate in value more than bonds and may decline in value over short or extended periods as a result of changes in a company’s financial condition and in overall market, economic and political conditions.

 

  foreign currency risk: the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and affect the Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currencies or the Fund’s investments in foreign currencies or in securities that trade in and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign currencies.

 

  foreign investing risk: the risk that Fund share prices will fluctuate with market conditions, currency exchange rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests or has exposure.

 

  globalization risk: the risk that the growing inter-relationship of global economies and financial markets has magnified the effect of conditions in one country or region on issuers of securities in a different country or region.

 

  sector concentration risk: the risk that the Fund may be susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory, and other factors affecting the technology sector because of its concentrated investments in companies that benefit from the rising influence of artificial intelligence. At times of such impact, the value of the Fund may fluctuate more widely than it would for a fund that invests more broadly across varying sectors.

 

  investment style risk: the risk that the particular style or set of styles that the investment advisor primarily uses may be out of favor or may not produce the best results over short or longer time periods and may increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price.

 

  issuer risk: the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services.

 

  liquidity risk: the risk that there may be no willing buyer of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund may have to sell those securities at a lower price or may not be able to sell the securities at all, each of which would have a negative effect on performance.

 

  market risk: the risk that returns from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns from the general securities markets or other types of securities.

 

  non-diversification risk: the risk that the Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than a diversified fund because a higher percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of a limited number of issuers.

 

  portfolio management risk: the risk that an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended results.

 

  price volatility risk: the risk that the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of its investments go up or down.

 

  securities selection risk: the risk that the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other funds investing in the same asset class or benchmarks that are representative of the asset class because of the portfolio managers’ choice of securities.

 

4


  small- and mid-capitalization company risk: the risk that small- and mid-capitalization companies may have more volatile stock performance than large-capitalization companies and are more likely to experience business failures, which may increase the risk of loss to the Fund.

Please see “Principal Risks of the Fund” for a more detailed description of the risks of investing in the Fund.

Your investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency entity or person.

Investment Results

Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, it has no investment results.

Investment Advisor

TCW Investment Management Company LLC is the investment advisor to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

The portfolio managers for the Fund are:

 

Name   

Experience                         

with the Fund                         

  

Primary Title with

Investment Advisor

     

Jeffrey W. Lin, CFA

    (Lead Portfolio Manager)

  

Since August 2017                        

(Inception of the Fund)                        

   Senior Vice President   

Thomas Lee

  

Since August 2017                        

(Inception of the Fund)                        

   Senior Vice President   

Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares

For more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at page [__] of this Prospectus.

 

5


Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase or redeem Fund shares on any business day (normally any day the New York Stock Exchange is open). Purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares are processed at the net asset value next calculated after an order is received by the Fund.

You may conduct transactions by mail (TCW Funds, Inc. c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund, Services, LLC, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), or by telephone at 1-800-248-4486. Redemptions by telephone are only permitted upon previously receiving appropriate authorization. You may also purchase, exchange or redeem Fund shares through your dealer or financial advisor.

Purchase Minimums for All Share Classes

 

Type of Account

 

Minimum        

Initial        

Investment        

   Subsequent
Investments
 

Regular

  $        2,000       $        250   

Individual/Retirement Account

  $           500       $        250   

A broker-dealer or other financial intermediary may require a higher minimum initial investment.

Tax Information

Dividends and capital gains distributions you receive from the Fund are subject to federal income taxes and may also be subject to state and local taxes, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal from those arrangements.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

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

 

6


Principal Risks of the Fund

The Fund is affected by changes in the economy, or in securities and other markets. There is also the possibility that investment decisions TCW Investment Management Company LLC (the “Advisor”) makes with respect to the investments of the Fund will not accomplish what they were designed to achieve or that the investments will have disappointing performance.

Risk is the chance that you will lose money on your investment or that it will not earn as much as you expect. In general, the greater the risk, the more money your investment has the potential to earn for you — and the more you can lose. Because the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well as up.

The Fund may engage in defensive investing, which is a deliberate, temporary shift in portfolio strategy that may be undertaken when markets start behaving in volatile or unusual ways. The Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a substantial part of its assets in bonds of U.S. or foreign governments, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, high-grade commercial paper, repurchase agreements, money market funds and cash. When the Fund has invested defensively in low risk, low return securities, it may not achieve its investment objective. References to minimum credit ratings or quality for securities apply to the time of investment.

Your investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit, and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or person. You can lose money by investing in the Fund. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth more or less than what you paid for them.

Your investment may be subject (in varying degrees) to the following risks discussed below. The Fund may be more susceptible to some of the risks than others.

Cybersecurity Risk

Information and technology systems relied upon by the Fund, the Advisor, the Fund’s service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountants, custodians, transfer agents, administrators, distributors and other financial intermediaries) and/or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons, security breaches, usage errors, power outages and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Although the Advisor has implemented measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, if these systems are compromised, become inoperable for extended periods of time or cease to function properly, significant investment may be required to fix or replace them. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans could cause significant interruptions in the operations of the Fund, the Advisor, the Fund’s service providers and/or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests and may result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to investors (and the beneficial owners of investors). Such a failure could also harm the reputation of the Fund, the Advisor, the Fund’s service providers and/or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, subject such entities and their respective affiliates to legal claims or otherwise affect their business and financial performance.

Equity Risk

Equity securities may include common stock, preferred stock or other securities representing an ownership interest or the right to acquire an ownership interest in an issuer. Equity risk is the risk that stocks and other equity securities generally fluctuate in value more than bonds and may decline in value over short or extended periods. The value of stocks and other equity securities may be affected by changes in an issuer’s financial condition and in overall market, economic and political conditions.

Financial Services Sector Risk

The financial services sector is subject to extensive government regulations, which may change frequently. In addition, the profitability of businesses in the financial services sector depends heavily on the availability and cost of money and may fluctuate significantly in response to changes in interest rates, as well as changes in general economic conditions. The financial services sector is exposed to risks that may impact the value of investments in the sector more severely than investments outside the sector. Businesses in the financial services sector often operate with substantial financial leverage.

Foreign Currency Risk

Funds that invest in foreign (non-U.S.) securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies are

 

7


subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad. As a result, the Fund’s investments in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund.

Foreign Investing Risk

Investments in foreign securities may involve greater risks than investing in domestic securities.

As compared to U.S. companies, foreign issuers generally disclose less financial and other information publicly and are subject to less stringent and less uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. Foreign countries typically impose less thorough regulations on brokers, dealers, stock exchanges, corporate insiders and listed companies than does the U.S., and foreign securities markets may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. markets. Investments in foreign securities involve higher costs than investments in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as additional taxes imposed by foreign governments. In addition, security trading practices abroad may offer less protection to investors such as the Fund. Political or social instability, civil unrest, acts of terrorism and regional economic volatility are other potential risks that could impact an investment in a foreign security. Settlement of transactions in some foreign markets may be delayed or may be less frequent than in the U.S., which could affect the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio.

The European financial markets have continued to experience volatility because of concerns about economic downturns and about high and rising government debt levels of several countries in the European Union and Europe generally. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the Euro and the European securities markets, and may spread to other countries in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro. These events may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. Responses to the financial problems by European Union governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.

In a public referendum in June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union (a process now commonly referred to as “Brexit”). As a result of and based on the pronouncements of the United Kingdom government, it is probable that negotiations will take place to determine the terms of the United Kingdom’s departure from, and of its new political and economic relationship with, the European Union. This could lead to a period of significant uncertainty and increased volatility in both U.S. and global securities and currency markets. In addition to concerns related to the effect of Brexit, that referendum may inspire similar initiatives in other European Union member countries, producing further risks for global financial markets.

Globalization Risk

The growing inter-relationship of global economies and financial markets has magnified the effect of conditions in one country or region on issuers of securities in a different country or region. In particular, the adoption or prolongation of protectionist trade policies by one or more countries, changes in economic or monetary policy in the United States or abroad, or a slowdown in the United States economy could lead to a decrease in demand for products and reduced flows of capital and income to companies in other countries. Those events might particularly affect companies in emerging and developing market countries.

Investment Style Risk

The particular style or set of styles that the Advisor primarily uses for the Fund may be out of favor or may not produce the best results over short or longer time periods and may increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price.

Issuer Risk

The value of securities held by the Fund may decline for a number of reasons directly related to an issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services. The amount of dividends paid with respect to equity securities, or the ability of an issuer to make payments in connection with debt securities, may decline for reasons that relate to the issuer, such as changes in an issuer’s financial condition or a decision by the issuer to pay a lower dividend, or for reasons that relate to the broader financial system. In addition, there may be limited public information available for the Advisor to evaluate foreign issuers.

 

8


Liquidity Risk

The Fund’s investments in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may not be able to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Investments in high yield securities, foreign securities, derivatives or other securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Certain investments in private placements and Rule 144A securities may be considered illiquid investments.

Furthermore, reduced number and capacity of dealers and other counterparties to “make markets” in fixed income securities, in connection with the growth of the fixed income markets, may increase liquidity risk with respect to the Fund’s investments in fixed income securities. When there is no willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold, the Fund may have to sell them at a lower price or may not be able to sell the securities at all, each of which would have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. These securities may also be difficult to value, and their values may be more volatile because of liquidity risk. Increased Fund redemption activity, which may occur in a rising interest rate environment or for other reasons, may negatively impact Fund performance and increase liquidity risk due to the need of the Fund to sell portfolio securities. Recent changes in regulations such as the Volcker Rule may further constrain the ability of market participants to create liquidity, particularly in times of increased market volatility.

The securities of many of the companies with small- and mid-capitalizations may have less “float” (the number of shares that normally trade) and less interest in the market and therefore are subject to liquidity risk.

Market Risk

Various market risks can affect the price or liquidity of an issuer’s securities in which the Fund may invest. Returns from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. Different types of securities tend to go through cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to the general securities markets. Adverse events occurring with respect to an issuer’s performance or financial position can depress the value of the issuer’s securities. The liquidity in a market for a particular security will affect its value and may be affected by factors relating to the issuer, as well as the depth of the market for that security. Other market risks that can affect value include a market’s current attitudes about types of securities, market reactions to political or economic events, including litigation, and tax and regulatory effects (including lack of adequate regulations for a market or particular type of instrument).

Instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the securities in which the Fund invests or the issuers of such securities in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Non-Diversification Risk

The Fund is organized as a non-diversified fund under the 1940 Act, and is not subject to the general limitation that with respect to 75% of a fund’s total assets, it may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in any particular issuer or hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any particular issuer. The Fund, however, remains subject to a diversification requirement under applicable tax laws that is less strict than under the 1940 Act. Because a relatively higher percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than a diversified fund.

Portfolio Management Risk

Portfolio management risk is the risk that an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended results. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Advisor’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities may prove to be incorrect and may not anticipate actual market movements or the impact of economic conditions generally. No matter how well a portfolio manager evaluates market conditions, the securities a portfolio manager chooses may fail to produce the intended result, and you could lose money on your investment in the Fund.

Price Volatility Risk

The value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of its investments go up or down. Although stocks offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities, stocks generally have higher short-term volatility. The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of small- and/or mid-capitalization companies, which are subject to greater price volatility than other mutual funds.

 

9


Different parts of the market and different types of securities can react differently to developments. Issuer, political or economic developments can affect a single issuer, issuers within an industry or economic sector or geographic region or market as a whole.

Prices of most securities tend to be more volatile in the short-term. Therefore, if you trade frequently or redeem in the short-term, you are more likely to incur a loss than an investor who holds investments for the longer-term. The fewer the number of issuers in which the Fund invests, the greater the potential volatility of its portfolio.

Sector Concentration Risk

The Fund likely will focus on technology companies or companies that depend substantially on technology, including artificial intelligence. This means that the Fund will be susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory, and other factors affecting the technology sector because of its concentrated investments in companies that benefit from the rising influence of artificial intelligence. At times of such impact, the value of the Fund may fluctuate more widely than it would for a fund that invests more broadly across varying sectors.

Securities Selection Risk

The specific securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio may underperform those held by other funds in the same asset class or benchmarks that are representative of the asset class because of a portfolio manager’s choice of securities.

Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk

The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in the equity securities of companies with small- and mid-capitalizations and may be subject to certain risks associated with such companies. Companies with small- and mid-capitalizations often have narrower markets, fewer products or services to offer and more limited managerial and financial resources than do larger, more established companies. As a result, small- and mid-capitalization companies may have more volatile stock performance than large-capitalization companies and are more likely to experience business failures, which may increase the risk of loss to the Fund.

Additional Risks

Securities Lending Risk

The Fund may lend portfolio securities with a value equal to up to 25% of its total assets, including collateral received for securities lent. If the Fund lends securities, there is a risk that the securities will not be available to the Fund on a timely basis, and the Fund, therefore, may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. In addition, as with other extensions of credit, there is the risk of possible delay in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. Also, there is the risk that the value of the investment of the collateral could decline causing the Fund to lose money.

Valuation Risk

Portfolio securities may be valued using techniques other than market quotations in circumstances described under “Calculation of NAV.” This is more likely for certain types of derivatives such as swaps. The value established for a portfolio security may be different than the value that would be produced through the use of another methodology or if it had been priced using market quotations. Portfolio securities that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including “fair valued” securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their value from one day to the next than would be the case if market quotations were used. The Fund may from time to time purchase an “odd lot” or smaller quantity of a security that trades at a discount to the price of a “round lot” or larger quantity preferred for trading by institutional investors. If the Fund is able to combine an odd lot purchase with an existing holding to make a round lot or larger position in the security, the Fund may be able to immediately increase the value of the security purchased, in accordance with its valuation procedures. There is no assurance that the Fund could sell a portfolio security for the value established for it at any time and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio security is sold at a discount to its established value.

 

10


Management of the Fund

Investment Advisor

The Fund’s investment advisor is TCW Investment Management Company LLC and is headquartered at 865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017. The Advisor was organized in 1987 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The TCW Group, Inc. (“TCW”). The Advisor is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

As of [                ], 2017, the Advisor and its affiliated companies, which provide a variety of investment management and investment advisory services, had approximately $[        ] billion in assets under management or committed to management.

Portfolio Managers

Certain information about the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) is provided in the Fund Summary for the Fund at the beginning of this Prospectus. Please see the SAI for additional information about other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, the portfolio managers’ compensation and the portfolio managers’ ownership of shares of the Fund(s) they manage.

Listed below are the individuals who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including a summary of each portfolio manager’s business experience during the past five years. (Positions with TCW and its affiliates may have changed over time.)

 

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

Jeffrey W. Lin, CFA

   Senior Vice President, [                            .]

Thomas Lee

   Senior Vice President, [                            .]

Advisory Agreement

TCW Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”), on behalf of the Fund, and the Advisor have entered into an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, as amended (the “Advisory Agreement”), under the terms of which the Fund has employed the Advisor to, subject to the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), provide investment advisory and management services, including, among others, managing the investment of the assets of the Fund, placing orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the Fund, administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund, furnishing to the Corporation office space and all necessary office facilities, supplies and equipment, and arranging for officers or employees of the Advisor to serve, without compensation from the Corporation, as officers, directors or employees of the Corporation.

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays to the Advisor, as compensation for the services rendered, facilities furnished, and expenses paid by it, the following fees:

 

Fund       

Annual Management Fee      

(As Percent of Average      

Net Asset Value)      

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

     [            ]%      

In addition to the contractual expense limitations listed below that apply to the Fund, the Advisor has agreed to reduce its investment management fee or to pay the operating expenses of the Fund to limit the Fund’s operating expenses to an amount not to exceed the previous month’s expense ratio average for comparable funds as calculated by Lipper Inc. This expense limitation is voluntary and terminable by either the Advisor or the Board of Directors on six months’ prior notice. This voluntary limitation and the contractual fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement excludes interest, brokerage, extraordinary expenses, and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.

 

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

  

I Class Shares

     [             ]% 

N Class Shares

     [             ]% 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund will be contained in the Corporation’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2017.

 

11


Payments by the Advisor

The Advisor pays certain costs of marketing the Fund from legitimate profits from its management fees and other resources available to it. The Advisor may also share with financial intermediaries (as defined below in the “Your Investment – Account Policies and Services – Calculation of NAV” section) certain marketing expenses or pay for the opportunity to distribute the Fund, sponsor informational meetings, seminars, client awareness events, support for marketing materials, or business building programs. The Advisor or its affiliates may pay amounts from their own resources to third parties, including brokerage firms, banks, financial advisors, retirement plan service providers, and other financial intermediaries for providing record keeping, sub-accounting, transaction processing and other administrative services. These payments, which may be substantial, are in addition to any fees that may be paid by the Fund for these types of or other services.

The amount of these payments is determined from time to time by the Advisor and may differ among such financial intermediaries. Such payments may provide incentives for such parties to make shares of the Fund available to its customers, and may allow the Fund greater access to such parties and their customers than would be the case if no payments were paid. Such access advantages include, but are not limited to, placement of the Fund on a list of mutual funds offered as investment options to the financial intermediary’s customers (sometimes referred to as “Shelf Space”); access to the financial intermediary’s registered representatives; and/or ability to assist in training and educating the financial intermediary’s registered representatives. These payment arrangements will not, however, change the price an investor pays for shares of the Fund or the amount that the Fund receives to invest on behalf of the investor. These payments may create potential conflicts of interests between an investor and a financial intermediary who is recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. You may wish to consider whether such arrangements exist when evaluating any recommendations to purchase or sell shares of the Fund and you should contact your financial intermediary for details about any payments it may receive from the Fund or from the Advisor. Payments are typically based on a percentage of assets under management or based on the number of customer accounts or a combination thereof.

Multiple Class Structure

The Fund currently offers two classes of shares: Class I shares and Class N shares. Shares of each class of the Fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund and both classes generally have the same voting, liquidation, and other rights. The Class I shares are offered at the current net asset value. The Class N shares are offered at the current net asset value, but are subject to fees imposed under a distribution plan (the “Distribution Plan”) adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan, the Fund compensates the Fund’s distributor for distribution and related services at a rate equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to its Class N shares. The fees may be used to pay the Fund’s distributor for distribution services and sales support services provided in connection with Class N shares. The fee may also be used to pay financial intermediaries for the sales support services and related expenses and shareholder servicing fees. The shareholder servicing fees are paid to compensate financial intermediaries for the administration and servicing of shareholder accounts and are not costs which are primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund’s shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s Class N assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Because the expenses of each class may differ, the performance of each class is expected to differ.

Other Shareholder Servicing Expenses Paid by the Fund

The Fund is authorized to compensate each broker-dealer and other third-party intermediary up to such percentage as approved by the Board of Directors of the assets serviced for the Fund by that intermediary for shareholder services. These services constitute sub-recordkeeping, sub-transfer agent or similar services and are similar in scope to services provided by the transfer agent to the Fund. These expenses paid by the Fund would remain subject to any overall expense limitation applicable to the Fund. These expenses are in addition to any payment of any amounts through the Distribution Plan. This amount may be adjusted, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

Your Investment – Account Policies and Services

Buying Shares

You pay no sales charges to invest in the Fund. Your price for the Fund’s shares is the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”) which is calculated as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time or the time trading closes on the NYSE, whichever is earlier) every day the exchange is open. In addition to Saturday and Sunday, the NYSE is closed on the days that the following holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Shares cannot be purchased by wire transactions on days when banks are closed.

 

12


Calculation of NAV

The NAV of each Class of the Fund is determined by adding the value of that Class’s securities, cash and other assets, subtracting all expenses and liabilities attributable to that Class, and then dividing by the total number of shares of that Class issued and outstanding (assets-liabilities/# of shares = NAV).

Your order will be priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the Corporation. Orders received by the Fund’s transfer agent from dealers, brokers or other service providers (“financial intermediaries”) after the NAV for the day is determined will receive that same day’s NAV if the orders were received by the financial intermediary from its customers prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (or the time trading closes on the NYSE, whichever is earlier). Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting such orders promptly.

The Corporation may at its discretion reject any purchase order for Fund shares.

The Fund discloses its NAV on a daily basis. To obtain the Fund’s NAV, please call (800) FUND TCW or visit the TCW Funds, Inc. website at www.tcw.com.

The Fund’s investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued based on market value. Equity securities, including depository receipts, are valued at the last reported sale price as reported by the stock exchange or pricing service. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) are valued using the official closing prices as reported by NASDAQ. In cases where equity securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued using the prices from the respective primary exchange of each security. Options on equity securities are valued at the average of the latest bid and ask prices as reported by the stock exchange or pricing service. S&P 500 futures contracts generally are valued at the first sale price after 4:00 p.m. ET on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. All other futures contracts are valued at the official settlement price of the exchange on which the applicable contract is traded. Changes to market closure times may alter when futures contracts are valued. The daily NAV may not reflect the closing market price for all futures contracts and options held by the Fund because the markets for certain futures contracts and options close shortly after the time the NAV is calculated. Generally, securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued using their respective net asset values. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued using prices furnished by independent pricing services or by broker dealers.

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to the U.S. dollar using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the NYSE is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.

The Corporation may use the fair value of a security as determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors if market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable or if events occurring after the close of a securities market and before the Corporation values its assets would materially affect net asset value. Such situations are particularly relevant for the Fund that holds securities that trade primarily in overseas markets. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Unlike the closing price of a security on an exchange, fair value determinations employ elements of judgment. The fair value assigned to a security may not represent the value that the Fund could obtain if it were to sell the security.

The net asset value of the Fund’s investments in other investment companies will be calculated based upon the net asset value of those investment companies; the offering documents for those investment companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

Minimums

 

               Initial                        IRA                      Additional        

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

   $2,000    $500    $250

The Corporation may accept investments of smaller amounts under circumstances deemed appropriate. The Corporation reserves the right to change the minimum investment amounts without prior notice. A broker-dealer or other financial intermediary may require a higher minimum initial investment. All investments must be in U.S. dollars drawn on domestic banks. The Corporation will not accept money orders, travelers checks, bank checks, drafts, cashiers’ checks in amounts less than $10,000 or credit card checks. Third-party checks, except those payable to an existing shareholder, will not be accepted. In addition, the Fund will not accept cash, checks drawn on banks outside the U.S., starter checks, post-dated checks, post-dated on-line checks or any conditional order or payment. If your check does not clear, you will be

 

13


responsible for any loss the Fund incurs such as a loss resulting from a change in NAV. You will also be charged $25 for every check returned unpaid.

The Fund has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program as required by the United Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT ACT) and appointed an Anti-Money Laundering Officer to help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities. Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you is that when you open an account, the Fund’s transfer agent will ask you for your name, address, date of birth, taxpayer identification number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. The transfer agent may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identification documents, and may consult third-party databases to help verify your identity. If the transfer agent is unable to verify your identity or that of another person authorized to act on your behalf, or if it believes it has identified potentially criminal activity, the transfer agent reserves the right to close your account or take any other action it deems reasonable or required by law.

Automatic Investment Plan

Once your account has been opened with the initial minimum investment you may make additional purchases at regular intervals through the Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”). The AIP provides a convenient method to have monies deducted from your bank account for investment into the Fund, on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis (if your AIP falls on a weekend or holiday, it will be processed on the following business day). In order to participate in the AIP, each purchase must be in the amount of $100 or more and your financial institution must be a member of the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network. If your financial institution rejects your payment, the Fund’s transfer agent will charge a $25 fee to your Fund account. To begin participating in the AIP, please complete the AIP section on the account application or call the Fund’s transfer agent at (800) 248-4486 for additional information. Any request to change or terminate your AIP should be submitted to the transfer agent at least five business days prior to the effective date of the next transaction.

Selling Shares

You may sell shares at any time. Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the Fund’s transfer agent or a dealer, broker or other service provider. Any certificates representing Fund shares being sold must be returned with your redemption request. Your order will be processed promptly, and you will generally receive the proceeds within a week.

Before selling recently purchased shares, please note that if the Fund has not yet collected payment for the shares you are selling, it may delay sending the proceeds for up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date or until payment is collected, whichever is earlier.

Shareholders who have an IRA or other retirement plan must indicate on their redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an election not to have tax withheld will generally be subject to 10% withholding.

Signature Guarantees

Some circumstances require written sell orders, along with signature guarantees. These include:

 

  amounts in excess of $100,000

 

  amounts of $1,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed within the last 30 calendar days

 

  requests to send the proceeds to a payee, address or a bank account different than what is on our records

 

  if ownership is changed on your account

 

  written requests to wire redemptions proceeds (if not previously authorized on the account)

Non-financial transactions, including establishing or modifying services on an account, may require signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution.

The Fund and/or the transfer agent reserves the right to waive or require any signature guarantee based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.

A signature guarantee helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most banks, securities dealers, credit unions or savings associations but not from a notary public. Please call (800) 248-4486 to ensure that your signature guarantee will be processed correctly.

 

14


Exchanging Shares

You can exchange from Class I or Class N shares of the Fund into the same Class of another TCW Fund offered in a different prospectus, provided that your investment meets the minimum initial investment and any other requirements of the same Class of the other TCW Fund and that the shares of the same Class of the other TCW Fund are eligible for sale in your state of residence. Further information about conversion of shares between classes of the same Fund may be found in the Fund’s SAI. You can request your exchange in writing or by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging. Any new account established through an exchange will have the same privileges as your original account (as long as they are available).

You may also exchange the shares of the Fund you own for shares of Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio, which is an unaffiliated, separately managed, money market mutual fund, or exchange shares of Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio for shares of any fund. You should read the Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio prospectus prior to investing in that fund. You can obtain a prospectus for the Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio by calling (800) 386-3829 or by visiting our website at www.tcw.com.

Third Party Transactions

You may buy and redeem the Fund’s shares through certain broker-dealers and financial organizations and their authorized intermediaries. If purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares are arranged and settlement is made at an investor’s election through a registered broker-dealer, other than the Fund’s distributor, that broker-dealer may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service.

Account Statements

The Fund investor automatically receives regular account statements. You will also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any dividends and distributions you have received.

Household Mailings

Each year you are automatically sent an updated prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports for the Fund. You may also receive proxy statements for the Fund. In order to reduce the volume of mail you receive, when possible and unless the Corporation receives contrary instructions, only one copy of these documents will be sent to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. You may write the Corporation at 865 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90017 or telephone it at 1-800-386-3829 to request individual copies of documents or to request a single copy of documents if receiving duplicate copies. The Corporation will begin sending a household single or multiple copies, as requested, as soon as practicable after receiving the request.

General Policies

If your non-retirement account in the Fund falls below $2,000 as a result of redemptions and or exchanges for six months or more, the Fund may close your account and send you the proceeds upon 60 days’ written notice.

Unless you decline telephone privileges on your New Account Form, you may be responsible for any fraudulent telephone order as long as the Fund’s transfer agent takes reasonable measures to verify the order. Reasonable measures include a requirement for a caller to provide certain personal identifying information. If an account of the Fund has more than one owner or authorized person, the Fund will accept telephone instructions from any one owner or authorized person.

The Fund also reserves the right to make a “redemption in kind” — payment in portfolio securities rather than cash — if the amount you are redeeming in any 90-day period is large enough to affect Fund operations (for example, if it equals more than $250,000 or represents more than 1% of the Fund’s assets). If your shares are redeemed in kind you will incur transaction costs upon disposition of the securities received in the distribution.

Any undeliverable dividend checks or dividend checks that remain uncashed for six months will be cancelled and will be reinvested in the Fund at the per share net asset value determined as of the date of cancellation.

Trading Limits

The Fund is not intended to serve as vehicles for frequent trading activity because such trading may disrupt management of the Fund. In addition, such trading activity can increase expenses as a result of increased trading and transaction costs, forced and unplanned portfolio turnover, lost opportunity costs, and large asset swings that decrease the Fund’s ability to provide maximum investment returns to all shareholders. In addition, certain trading activity that attempts to take advantage of inefficiencies in the valuation of the Fund’s securities holdings may dilute the interests of the remaining shareholders. This in turn can have an adverse effect on the Fund’s performance.

 

15


Accordingly, the Board of Directors has adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase or exchange request that could adversely affect the Fund or its operations, including those from any individual or group who, in the Fund’s view, is likely to engage in excessive trading. If a purchase or exchange order with respect to the Fund is rejected, the potential investor will not benefit from any subsequent increase in the net asset value of the Fund.

Future purchases into the Fund may be barred if a shareholder effects a round trip in shares of the Fund (meaning exchanges or redemptions following a purchase) in excess of certain de minimis limits within a 30-day period.

Exceptions to these trading limits may be made only upon approval of the Corporation’s Chief Compliance Officer or his designee, and such exceptions are reported to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

This policy may be revised from time to time by the officers of the Corporation in consultation with the Board of Directors without prior notice.

These restrictions do not apply to the Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio, to certain asset allocation programs (including mutual funds that invest in other mutual funds for asset allocation purposes, and not for short-term trading), to omnibus accounts (except to the extent noted in the next paragraph) maintained by brokers and other financial intermediaries (including 401(k) or other group retirement accounts, although restrictions on Fund share transactions comparable to those set forth in the previous paragraphs have been applied to the Advisor’s retirement savings program), and to involuntary transactions and automatic investment programs, such as dividend reinvestment or transactions pursuant to the Fund’s systematic investment or withdrawal program.

In an attempt to detect and deter excessive trading in omnibus accounts, the Corporation or its agents may require intermediaries to impose restrictions on the trading activity of accounts traded through those intermediaries. The Fund’s ability to impose restrictions with respect to accounts traded through particular intermediaries may vary depending on the systems capabilities, applicable contractual and legal restrictions, and cooperation of those intermediaries. The Corporation, however, cannot always identify or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or that may be made difficult to identify through the use of omnibus accounts by those intermediaries that transmit purchase, exchange and redemption orders to the Fund, and thus the Fund may have difficulty curtailing such activity.

In addition, the Corporation reserves the right to:

 

  change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market conditions, to the extent permitted under applicable SEC rules; and

 

  delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally only applies in cases of large redemptions, excessive trading or during unusual market conditions).

 

TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT

   TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT

In Writing

 

Complete the New Account Form. Mail your New Account Form and a check made payable to (Name of Fund) to:

 

Via Regular Mail

TCW Funds, Inc.

c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

 

Via Express, Registered or Certified Mail

 

TCW Funds, Inc.

c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

615 E. Michigan Street, 3rd Floor

Milwaukee, WI 53202

   (Same, except that you should include the stub that is attached to your account statement that you receive after each transaction or a note specifying the Fund name, your account number, and the name(s) your account is registered in.)

 

By Telephone

  

Please contact the Investor Relations Department at

(800) FUND TCW (386-3829) for a New Account Form. The Fund’s transfer agent will not establish a new account funded by fed wire unless a completed application is received prior to its receipt of the fed wire.

    

 

16


TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT

   TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT

Wire: Have your bank send your investment to:

   Before sending your fed wire, please call the Fund’s transfer agent at (800) 248-4486 to advise them of the wire. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit to your account upon receipt of the fed wire. Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to receive same day pricing. The Fund and U.S. Bank, N.A. are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A.

777 E. Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202

ABA No. 075000022

Credit: U.S. Bancorp Fund Services LLC

Account No. 182380074993

Further Credit: (Name of Fund)

(Name on the Fund Account)

(Fund Account Number)

  

Via Exchange

Call the Fund’s transfer agent at (800) 248-4486. The new account will have the same registration as the account from which you are exchanging.

If you need help completing the New Account Form, please call the Fund’s transfer agent at (800) 248-4486.

 

17


TO SELL OR EXCHANGE SHARES

 

By Mail

Write a letter of instruction that includes:

  your name(s) and signature(s) as they appear on the account form
  your account number
  the Fund name
  the dollar amount you want to sell or exchange
  how and where to send the proceeds

Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see “Your Investment — Account Policies and Services — Selling Shares”).

Mail your letter of instruction to:

Via Regular Mail

TCW Funds, Inc.

c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

Via Express, Registered or Certified Mail

TCW Funds, Inc.

c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

615 E. Michigan Street, 3rd Floor

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

By Telephone

Be sure the Fund has your bank account information on file. Call the Fund’s transfer agent at (800) 248-4486 to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent electronically to your bank or a check will be sent to the address of record.

Telephone redemption requests must be for a minimum of $1,000.

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan: As another convenience, you may redeem shares through the systematic withdrawal plan. Call the Fund’s transfer agent at (800) 248-4486 to request a form to add the plan. Complete the form, specifying the amount and frequency of withdrawals you would like.

Under the plan, you may choose to receive a specified dollar amount generated from the redemption of shares in your account on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. In order to participate in the plan, your account balance must be at least $2,000 and there must be a minimum annual withdrawal of $500. If you elect this redemption method, the Fund will send a check to your address of record, or will send the payment via electronic funds transfer through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network, directly to your bank account. For payment through the ACH network, your bank must be an ACH member and your bank account information must be on file with the Fund. The plan may be terminated by the Fund at any time.

You may elect to terminate your participation in the plan at any time by contacting the Fund’s transfer agent 5 days prior to the effective date.

To reach the Fund’s transfer agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, call:

Toll free in the U.S.

(800) 248-4486

Outside the U.S.

(414) 765-4124 (collect)

 

18


Distributions and Taxes

The amount of dividends of net investment income and distributions of net realized long and short-term capital gains payable to shareholders will be determined separately for each Fund class. Dividends and distributions are paid separately for each class of shares. The dividends and distributions paid on Class I shares will generally be higher than those paid on Class N shares since Class N shares normally have higher expenses than Class I shares. Dividends from the net investment income of the Fund will be declared and paid [annually/quarterly/monthly]. The Fund will distribute any net realized long or short-term capital gains at least annually. Your distributions from the Fund will be reinvested in the Fund unless you instruct the Fund otherwise in writing or by telephone. An investor will be taxed in the same manner whether you receive your distributions (from investment company taxable income or net capital gains) in cash or reinvest them in additional shares of the Fund.

There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments. You may request distributions be paid by check. Any undeliverable dividend checks or dividend checks that remain uncashed for six months will be cancelled and will be reinvested in the Fund at the per share net asset value determined at the date of cancellation.

Distributions of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which include, but are not limited to, interest dividends and net short-term capital gains), if any, are generally taxable to the Fund’s shareholders as ordinary income. To the extent that the Fund’s ordinary income distributions consist of “qualified dividend” income, such income may be subject to tax at the reduced rate of tax applicable to non-corporate shareholders for net long-term capital gains, if certain holding period requirements have been satisfied by the Fund and the shareholders. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT and from certain foreign corporations generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

Distributions of net capital gains (net long-term capital gains less net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned shares of the Fund. Generally, the maximum individual federal tax rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” and long-term capital gains is 20%.

An additional 3.8% federal tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

Shareholders who sell or redeem shares generally will have a capital gain or loss from the sale or redemption. The amount of gain or loss and the applicable rate of tax will depend generally on the amount paid for the shares, the amount received from the sale or redemption, and how long the shares were held by a shareholder.

The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, the Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its taxable income. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible and may elect to treat a proportionate amount of certain foreign taxes paid by it as a distribution to each shareholder, which would (subject to applicable limitations) generally permit each shareholder (1) to credit this amount or (2) to deduct this amount for purposes of computing its U.S. federal income tax liability. This will be reported by the Fund on Form 1099-DIV annually, if applicable.

The Fund’s transactions in derivatives (such as futures contracts, swaps and covered call options) will be subject to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The Fund’s use of derivatives may result in the Fund realizing more short-term capital gains and ordinary income subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates than it would if it did not use derivatives.

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (currently, at a rate of 28%) on all distributions to shareholders if they fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if they have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against U.S. federal income tax liability.

Foreign shareholders may be subject to different U.S. federal income tax treatment, including withholding tax at the rate of 30% on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the Fund (and, under certain circumstances, at the rate of 35% on certain capital gain dividends and other dividends), as discussed in more detail in the SAI.

 

19


Shareholders will be advised annually as to the federal tax status of distributions made by the Fund for the preceding calendar year. Distributions by the Fund may also be subject to state and local taxes. Additional tax information may be found in the SAI. This section is not intended to be a full discussion of tax laws and the effect of such laws on you. There may be other federal, state, or local tax considerations applicable to a particular investor. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor.

Portfolio Holdings Information

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the SAI. Currently, disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter in the annual report and semi-annual report to shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q. The SAI and Form N-Q are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The annual reports, semi-annual reports, Form N-Q and SAI for the Fund are also available by contacting the Fund at 1-800-FUND TCW (1-800-386-3829) and on the Corporation’s website at www.tcw.com.

Financial Highlights

Because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, financial highlights are not available.

 

20


Glossary

American Depository Receipts (ADRs) — Receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying foreign securities. ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and are publicly traded on exchanges or over-the-counter markets in the U.S.

Benchmark — Any basis of measurement, such as an index, that is used by an investment manager as a yardstick to assess the performance of a portfolio. For example, the S&P 500® Index is a commonly used benchmark for U.S. large-cap equity portfolios.

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees — Fees assessed to shareholders for shareholder servicing, marketing and distribution expenses for a fund.

Dividends — A distribution of corporate earnings to shareholders.

Expense Ratio — Expressed as a percentage provides an investor the total cost for fund operating expenses and management fees.

Forward Contract — A specific form of counterparty agreement under which a commodity or financial instrument is bought or sold at a certain price agreed on today (date of contract), but is to be delivered on a stated future (forward) date in settlement of the agreement. If the value of the underlying commodity or financial instrument changes, the value of the forward contract becomes positive or negative depending on the position held.

Futures — A standardized, transferable, exchange-traded contract that requires delivery of a security, commodity, bond, currency or stock index, at a specified price, on a specified future date. Futures represent a pledge to make a certain transaction at a future date and are usually cash settled before the close out date by a party to the contract.

Interest — Cost of using money, expressed as a rate per period of time, usually one year, in which case it is called an annual rate of interest.

Large-Capitalization Companies — Large-capitalization companies are established companies that are considered “known quantities.” Large-capitalization companies often have the resources to weather economic shifts, although they can be slower to innovate than small companies.

Options —An owner of a call (put) option has the right (but not the obligation) to purchase (sell) the underlying security at a specified price, and this right lasts until a specified date. The writer of a call (put) option has the obligation to sell (purchase) the underlying security at a specified price, until a specified date.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) — A REIT is a pooled investment vehicle that invests primarily in income-producing real estate or real estate loans or interests. REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders, provided they comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Small- and Mid-Capitalization Companies — Small- and Mid-capitalization companies are less well established companies but in many cases are faster-growing than large-capitalization companies. Because they are less established, small- and mid-capitalization companies’ stocks are usually more volatile than large-capitalization companies’ stocks.

Total Return — Return on an investment including both appreciation (depreciation) and interest or dividends.

Turnover — Statistical ratio measuring the amount of transactions within a portfolio over a given time period.

 

21


LOGO

 

LOGO

 

865 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, California 90017

 

800 FUND TCW

(800 386 3829)

 

www.TCW.com

 

More information on the Fund is available free upon request by calling 800 FUND TCW (386 3829), or on the Internet at www.TCW.com, including the following:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Report

Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

 

The SAI provides more details about the Fund and its policies. A current SAI is on file with the SEC, is incorporated by reference, and is legally considered part of this Prospectus. The SAI can be reviewed and photocopied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.

 

Shareholder Account Information

 

For additional information, such as transaction and account inquiries:

 

 

Call 800 248 4486, or send your request to:

TCW Funds, Inc. c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

 

You can obtain copies of reports and other information about the Fund (including the SAI) on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., by sending your written request to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov. A fee will be charged for making copies. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202 551 8090.

 

SEC File Number 811-7170

FUNDp_aif_0617


The information in this Statement of Additional Information, with respect to TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund,

is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund’s shares until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Addition

Information is not an offer to sell the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund’s shares and is not soliciting an offer to

buy the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund’s shares in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

TCW FUNDS, INC.

865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800

Los Angeles, California 90017

800 FUND TCW

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Subject to Completion

February 28, 2017, as amended August [      ], 2017

 

U.S. Equity Funds    U.S. Fixed Income Funds    International Funds

TCW Focused Equities Fund

(formerly the TCW Concentrated Value Fund)

Class I Ticker TGFFX

Class N Ticker TGFVX

  

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

Class I Ticker TGCFX

Class N Ticker TGFNX

  

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

Class I Ticker TGDMX

Class N Ticker TGDPX

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

Class I Ticker TGREX

Class N Ticker TGRYX

  

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund*

Class I Ticker TGGWX

Class N Ticker TGABX

  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

Class I Ticker TGEIX

Class N Ticker TGINX

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

Class I Ticker TGHDX

Class N Ticker TGDEX

  

TCW Global Bond Fund

Class I Ticker TGGBX

Class N Ticker TGGFX

  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

Class I Ticker TGWIX

Class N Ticker TGWNX

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

Class I Ticker TGUSX

Class N Ticker TGUNX

  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

Class I Ticker TGHYX

Class N Ticker TGHNX

  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

Class I Ticker TGMAX

Class N Ticker TGMEX

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

Class I Ticker TGDFX

Class N Ticker TGIGX

  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

Class I Ticker TGSMX

  

TCW International Growth Fund

Class I Ticker TGIBX

Class N Ticker TGIDX

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

Class I Ticker TGDIX

Class N Ticker TGDVX

  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

Class I Ticker TGLMX

Class N Ticker TGMNX

  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

Class I Ticker TGICX

Class N Ticker TGNIX

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

Class I Ticker TGVOX

Class N Ticker TGVNX

  

Asset Allocation Fund

 

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

Class I Ticker TGPCX

Class N Ticker TGPNX

  

TCW Select Equities Fund

Class I Ticker TGCEX

Class N Ticker TGCNX

     

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

Class I Ticker [            ]

Class N Ticker [            ]

     

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but contains information in addition to, and more detailed than, that set forth in the Prospectus, dated the same date, which describes each of the separate investment series (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) of TCW Funds, Inc. This Statement of Additional Information should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. A Prospectus may be obtained

 

1


without charge by writing to TCW Funds, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations Department, 865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017 or by calling the Investor Relations Department at 800 FUND TCW (800 386 3829). This Statement of Additional Information, although not in itself a prospectus, is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus in its entirety. Each Fund’s audited financial statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders and the reports of the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm are incorporated by reference herein with the exception of the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund, which has not commenced operations as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

*TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund is not currently available to the public.

 

2


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

General Information

     4  

Investment Practices

     4  

Risk Considerations

     20  

Interfund Borrowing and Lending

     31  

Portfolio Turnover

     31  

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

     32  

Investment Restrictions

     37  

Directors and Officers

     42  

Investment Advisory Agreement

     51  

Portfolio Management

     55  

Distribution of Fund Shares

     68  

Other Service Providers

     70  

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

     71  

Code of Ethics

     71  

Disclosure of Portfolio Information

     71  

Proxy Voting Guidelines

     72  

Determination of Net Asset Value

     77  

How to Buy and Redeem Shares

     78  

How to Exchange Shares

     79  

Distributions and Taxes

     79  

Shares and Voting Rights

     84  

Financial Statements

     85  

Appendix A - Description of S&P and Moody’s Credit Ratings

     A-1  

 

3


GENERAL INFORMATION

TCW Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”) was incorporated as a Maryland corporation on September 15, 1992 and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end, management investment company. The Corporation has acknowledged that the name “TCW” is owned by The TCW Group, Inc. (“TCW”), the parent of TCW Investment Management Company LLC (the “Advisor”). The Corporation has agreed to change its name and the name of its series at the request of TCW if any advisory agreement into which TCW or any of its affiliates and the Corporation may enter is terminated.

The Corporation currently consists of 22 series (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), each of which has separate assets and liabilities. Each Fund offers two classes of shares: Class I shares and Class N shares, except for the TCW Short Term Bond Fund, which only offers Class I shares. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund is a fund of funds, which seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in the Class I shares of the other Funds, certain of the TCW Alternative Funds, another mutual fund managed by the Advisor (the “TCW Alternative Funds”), and certain Metropolitan West Funds, a mutual fund complex managed by an affiliate of the Advisor (the “Metropolitan West Funds,” and such Metropolitan West Funds collectively with the TCW Alternative Funds and the other Funds in which the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund invests, the “Underlying Funds”).

Each Fund is classified as a diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), except for the TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund, TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund, TCW Global Bond Fund, and TCW International Growth Fund, which are classified as non-diversified funds under the 1940 Act. A Fund is “diversified” under the 1940 Act if, with respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund may not invest in securities of any issuer if, immediately after such investment, (i) more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund (taken at current value) would be invested in the securities of that issuer or (ii) more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer would be held by the Fund (this limitation does not apply to investments in U.S. government securities). A Fund is not subject to this limitation with respect to the remaining 25% of its total assets. A Fund that is considered non-diversified under the 1940 Act will, however, remain subject to a diversification requirement under applicable tax laws that is less strict than under the 1940 Act.

Shares of any Fund may be exchanged for shares of the Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio, which is an unaffiliated, separately managed money market mutual fund, and shares of the Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio may be exchanged for shares of any Fund. For information concerning the Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio, please refer to the prospectus for the Fidelity Prime Money Market Portfolio, a copy of which may be obtained by calling (800) 386-3829.

INVESTMENT PRACTICES

The Funds may, but are not required to, utilize, among others, one or more of the strategies or securities set forth below, which supplement the principal investment strategies of the Funds described in the Prospectus. The Funds may also invest in other instruments (including derivative investments) or use other investment strategies that are developed or become available in the future and that are consistent with their objectives and restrictions. The investment strategies described below may be pursued directly by the Underlying Funds. As a general matter, the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund normally does not invest directly in securities. However, the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund is subject to the strategies and risks described below indirectly through its investments in the Underlying Funds.

In addition, the TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund may pursue its investment objective by investing in the TCW Cayman Enhanced Commodity Fund, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by the Advisor, has the same investment objective and will generally be subject to the same fundamental, non-fundamental and certain other investment restrictions as the Fund; however, the Subsidiary may invest in commodity-linked swap agreements and other commodity-linked derivative instruments to an extent greater than permitted for the Fund. The Fund and the Subsidiary may test for compliance with certain investment restrictions on a consolidated basis, except that with respect to its investments in certain securities that may involve leverage, the Subsidiary will comply with asset segregation or “earmarking” requirements to the same extent as the Fund. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund.

Strategies and Investments Available to All Funds

Money Market Instruments. The Funds may invest in money market instruments and will generally do so for temporary and defensive purposes only. These instruments include, but are not limited to:

U.S. Government Securities. Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States or its agencies (such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Housing Administration and Government National Mortgage Association) or its instrumentalities (such as the Federal Home Loan Bank), including Treasury bills, notes and bonds.

 

4


Bank Obligations. Obligations including certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper (see below) and other debt obligations of banks subject to regulation by the U.S. government and having total assets of $1 billion or more, and instruments secured by such obligations, not including obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks except as permitted below.

Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit. Eurodollar certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks having total assets of $1 billion or more (investments in Eurodollar certificates may be affected by changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, or changes in governmental administration or economic or monetary policy in the United States and abroad).

Obligations of Savings Institutions. Certificates of deposit of savings banks and savings and loan associations, having total assets of $1 billion or more (investments in savings institutions above $250,000 in principal amount are not protected by federal deposit insurance).

Fully Insured Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit of banks and savings institutions, having total assets of less than $1 billion, if the principal amount of the obligation is insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund (each of which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), limited to $250,000 principal amount per certificate and to 15% or less of a Fund’s net assets in all such obligations and in all illiquid assets, in the aggregate.

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper rated within the two highest ratings categories by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or, if not rated, that is determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.

Money Market Mutual Funds. Shares of United States money market investment companies.

Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements, which may be viewed as a type of secured lending by a Fund, typically involve the acquisition by a Fund of debt securities from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The repurchase agreements will provide that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the institution will repurchase, the underlying security (“collateral”) at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase. The collateral will be maintained in a segregated account and, with respect to United States repurchase agreements, will be marked to market daily to ensure that the full value of the collateral, as specified in the repurchase agreement, does not decrease below the repurchase price plus accrued interest. If such a decrease occurs, additional collateral will be requested and, when received, added to the account to maintain full collateralization. A Fund will accrue interest from the institution until the date the repurchase occurs. Although this date is deemed by each Fund to be the maturity date of a repurchase agreement, the maturities of the collateral securities are not subject to any limits and may exceed one year. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days will be considered illiquid for purposes of the restriction on each Fund’s investment in illiquid and restricted securities.

Investments in Other Investment Company Securities. Under the 1940 Act, a Fund (other than the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund) may not (i) own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of an investment company, (ii) invest more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, or (iii) invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of investment companies. Such investments may include open-end investment companies, closed-end investment companies, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), business development companies (“BDCs”), real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and unit investment trusts (“UITs”). In some instances, a Fund may invest in an investment company in excess of these limits. This may occur, for instance, in “cash sweep” arrangements in which a Fund invests all or a portion of its available cash in a money market fund. As the shareholder of another investment company, a Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. Any expenses incurred by investing in other investment companies, including advisory fees and operating costs charged by those vehicles, are in addition to the expenses a Fund pays in connection with its own operations. In addition, a Fund would pay brokerage costs associated with its purchases of shares of these vehicles. These limitations do not apply to investments in investment companies that are not registered with the SEC, such as private funds and offshore funds.

The 1940 Act permits the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund to invest beyond the limitations discussed above so long as the investments are in funds that are part of the “same group of investment companies” as the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund (the other Funds, the TCW Alternative Funds and certain Metropolitan West Funds). The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may, generally, also purchase shares of funds that are not part of the same group of investment companies as the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund (subject to the limits discussed above for unaffiliated funds) as well as stocks, bonds and other securities not issued by a Fund or other investment company. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may also invest in money market funds. Alternatively, the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may limit its investments to not more than 3% of any unaffiliated fund, in which case it will not be subject to the 5% and 10% limits if it and all of its affiliated persons choose to adhere to such 3% limit.

In addition, certain ETFs have obtained exemptive orders from the SEC that allows the Funds to invest in those ETFs beyond the limits described above.

 

5


Despite the possibility of greater fees and expenses, investments in other investment companies may be attractive nonetheless for several reasons, especially in connection with foreign investments. Because of restrictions on direct investment by U.S. entities in certain countries, investing indirectly in such countries (by purchasing shares of another fund that is permitted to invest in such countries) may be the most practical and efficient way for a Fund to invest in such countries. In other cases, when a portfolio manager desires to make only a relatively small investment in a particular country, investing through another fund that holds a diversified portfolio in that country may be more effective than investing directly in issuers in that country.

Among the types of investment companies in which a Fund may invest are ETFs, which consists of Portfolio Depository Receipts (“PDRs”) and Index Fund Shares. ETFs are investment companies that invest in a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index and whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When a Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s expenses. As with any exchange listed security, ETF shares purchased in the secondary market are subject to customary brokerage charges.

PDRs represent interests in a UIT holding a fund of securities that may be obtained from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market. Each PDR is intended to track the underlying securities, trade like a share of common stock, and pay to PDR holders periodic dividends proportionate to those paid with respect to the underlying securities, less certain expenses. Index Fund Shares are shares issued by an open-end management investment company that seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of a specified foreign or domestic index (an “Index Fund”). Individual investments in PDRs generally are not redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. Similarly, individual investments in Index Fund Shares generally are not redeemable. However, large quantities of PDRs known as “Creation Units” are redeemable from the sponsor of the UIT.

Similarly, block sizes of Index Fund Shares, also known as “Creation Units,” are redeemable from the issuing Index Fund. The liquidity of small holdings of ETFs, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market.

The price of ETFs is derived from and based upon the securities held by the UIT or Index Fund, and a Fund investing in ETFs will indirectly bear the risk of those investments.

Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of an ETF is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for an ETF is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETFs purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on investments in ETFs. ETFs represent an unsecured obligation and therefore carry with them the risk that the counterparty will default and the Fund may not be able to recover the current value of its investment.

Strategies and Investments Available to all Funds (except the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund)

Lending of Portfolio Securities. Each of the Funds may, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, provided that such loans (i) are callable at any time by the Funds (subject to the notice provisions described below), and (ii) are at all times secured by cash, bank letters of credit, other money market instruments rated A-1, P-1 or the equivalent, or securities of the United States government (or its agencies or instrumentalities) maintained in a segregated account and equal to at least the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Funds continue to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earning interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. A Fund will not lend more than 25% of the value of its total assets, including collateral received for securities lent. A loan may be terminated by the borrower on one business day’s notice, or by a Fund on two business days’ notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities within two days after receipt of notice, a Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extension of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. However, loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Advisor to be creditworthy. Upon termination of a loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the lending Fund. Any gain or loss in the marketplace during the loan period would inure to the lending Fund. A Fund will pay reasonable finder’s, administrative and custodian fees in connection with a loan of securities. Also voting rights with respect to the loaned securities may pass with the lending of the securities.

Borrowing. Except as described below, a Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. This means that, in general, a Fund may borrow money from banks for any purpose in an amount up to 1/3 of the Fund’s net assets. A Fund also may borrow money for temporary administrative purposes in an amount not to exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets.

Specifically, provisions of the 1940 Act require a Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowing not in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets made for temporary administrative purposes. Any borrowings for temporary administrative purposes in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets must maintain continuous asset coverage. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a

 

6


result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.

Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased. A Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, a Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. (These types of transactions are negotiated directly with a counterparty, rather than through an exchange.) When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the date of the commitment. The securities so purchased or sold are subject to market fluctuation, and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. While a Fund will only purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the settlement date, if it is deemed advisable. At the time a Fund makes the commitment to purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, the Fund will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining its net asset value. At such time, the Fund will also establish a segregated account in which it will continuously maintain cash or U.S. government securities or other liquid securities equal in value to recognized commitments for such securities. At the time of delivery of the securities, the value may be more or less than the purchase or sale price. An increase in the percentage of a Fund’s assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value.

When, As and If Issued Securities. A Fund may purchase securities on a “when, as and if issued” basis under which the issuance of the security depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a merger, corporate reorganization, leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of any such security will not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until the Advisor determines that issuance of the security is probable. At such time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its net asset value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At such time, the Fund will also establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in which it will continuously maintain cash or U.S. government securities or other liquid securities equal in value to recognized commitments for such securities. Settlement of the trade will ordinarily occur within three business days of the occurrence of the subsequent event. Once a segregated account has been established, if the anticipated event does not occur and the securities are not issued, the Fund will have lost an investment opportunity. Each Fund may purchase securities on such basis without limit. An increase in the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to the purchase of securities on a “when, as and if issued” basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value. Each Fund may also sell securities on a “when, as and if issued” basis provided that the issuance of the security will result automatically from the exchange or conversion of a security owned by the Fund at the time of the sale.

Options. Each of the Funds may purchase and write (sell) call and put options, including options listed on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or written in over-the-counter transactions (“OTC Options”). A Fund may purchase and sell American or European style options. If an option is American style, it may be exercised on any day up to its expiration date. A European style option may be exercised only on its expiration date.

Exchange-listed options are issued by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange which assures that all transactions in such options are properly executed. OTC Options are purchased from or sold (written) to dealers or financial institutions which have entered into direct agreements with a Fund. With OTC Options, such variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between a Fund and the transacting dealer, without the intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. If the transacting dealer fails to make or take delivery of the securities or amount of foreign currency underlying an option it has written, in accordance with the terms of that option, a Fund would lose the premium paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Each Fund will engage in OTC Option transactions only with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Advisor.

As investment companies registered with the SEC, the Funds must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets equal in value to market value of the underlying securities (less margin on deposit) or strike price to “cover” any written call or put options it enters into. Alternatively, a Fund may cover a written call option by holding the underlying security or purchasing an offsetting call option (see “Covered Call Writing” below). Similarly, a Fund may cover a written put option by selling the underlying security short at the strike price or purchasing an offsetting put option (see “Covered Put Writing” below).

Covered Call Writing. Each of the Funds is permitted to write covered call options on securities, the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Generally, a call option is “covered” if a Fund owns, or has the right to acquire, without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held for the Fund by its custodian in a segregated account) the underlying security (currency) subject

 

7


to the option, or otherwise segregates sufficient cash or other liquid assets to cover the outstanding position. A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same security as the underlying security (currency) of the written option, where the exercise price of the call used for coverage is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or greater than the exercise price of the call written if the marked to market difference is maintained by the Fund in cash or other liquid assets which the Fund has segregated for this purpose.

The writer of an option receives from the purchaser, in return for a call it has written, a “premium” (i.e., the price of the option). Receipt of these premiums may better enable a Fund to earn a higher level of current income than it would earn from holding the underlying securities (currencies) alone. Moreover, the premium received will offset a portion of the potential loss incurred by the Fund if the securities (currencies) underlying the option are ultimately sold (exchanged) by the Fund at a loss. Furthermore, a premium received on a call written on a foreign currency will ameliorate any potential loss of value on the portfolio security due to a decline in the value of the currency.

However, during the option period, the covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity for capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market price of the underlying security (or the exchange rate of the currency in which it is denominated) increase, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security (or the exchange rate of the currency in which it is denominated) decline. The premium received will fluctuate with varying economic market conditions. If the market value of the portfolio securities (or the currencies in which they are denominated) upon which call options have been written increases, a Fund may receive a lower total return from the portion of its portfolio upon which calls have been written than it would have had such calls not been written.

With respect to listed options and certain OTC Options, during the option period, a Fund may be required, at any time, to deliver the underlying security (currency) against payment of the exercise price on any calls it has written (exercise of certain listed and OTC Options may be limited to specific expiration dates). This obligation is terminated upon the expiration of the option period or at such earlier time when the writer effects a closing purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase transaction.

Closing purchase transactions are ordinarily effected to realize a profit on an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security (currency) from being called, to permit the sale of an underlying security (or the exchange of the underlying currency) or to enable a Fund to write another call option on the underlying security (currency) with either a different exercise price or expiration date or both. A Fund may realize a net gain or loss from a closing purchase transaction depending upon whether the amount of the premium received on the call option is more or less than the cost of effecting the closing purchase transaction. Any loss incurred in a closing purchase transaction may be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation in the market value of the underlying security (currency). Conversely, a gain resulting from a closing purchase transaction could be offset in whole or in part or exceeded by a decline in the market value of the underlying security (currency).

If a call option expires unexercised, a Fund realizes a gain in the amount of the premium on the option less the commission paid. Such a gain, however, may be offset by depreciation in the market value of the underlying security (currency) during the option period. If a call option is exercised, a Fund realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security (currency) equal to the difference between the purchase price of the underlying security (currency) and the proceeds of the sale of the security (currency) plus the premium received on the option less the commission paid.

Covered Put Writing. Each of the Funds is permitted to write covered put options. As a writer of a covered put option, a Fund incurs an obligation to buy the security underlying the option from the purchaser of the put option, at the option’s exercise price at any time during the option period, at the purchaser’s election (certain listed and OTC put options written by a Fund will be exercisable by the purchaser only on a specific date). A put option is “covered” if, at all times during the option period, a Fund maintains, in a segregated account, cash or other liquid assets in an amount equal to at least the exercise price of the option. Similarly, a short put position could be covered by a Fund by its purchase of a put option on the same security (currency) as the underlying security of the written option, where the exercise price of the purchased option is equal to or more than the exercise price of the put written or less than the exercise price of the put written if the marked to market difference is maintained by the Fund in cash or other liquid assets which the Fund holds in a segregated account. In writing a put option, a Fund assumes the risk of loss should the market value of the underlying security (currency) decline below the exercise price of the put option (any loss being decreased by the receipt of the premium on the option written). In the case of listed options, during the option period, the Fund may be required, at any time, to make payment of the exercise price against delivery of the underlying security (currency). The operation of and limitations on covered put options in other respects are substantially identical to those of call options.

Purchasing Call and Put Options. Each of the Funds may purchase a call option in order to close out a covered call position (see “Covered Call Writing” above), to protect against an increase in price of a security it anticipates purchasing or, in the case of a call option on foreign currency, to hedge against an adverse exchange rate move of the currency in which the security it anticipates purchasing is denominated vis-a-vis the currency in which the exercise price is denominated. A call option purchased to effect a

 

8


closing transaction on a call written over-the-counter may be a listed or an OTC Option. In either case, the call option purchased is likely to be on the same securities (currencies) and have the same terms as the written call option. If purchased over-the-counter, the call option would generally be acquired from the dealer or financial institution which purchased the call option written by a Fund.

The Funds may purchase put options on securities or currencies which it holds in its portfolio to protect itself against a decline in the value of the security and to close out written put option positions. If the value of the underlying security or currency were to fall below the exercise price of the put option purchased in an amount greater than the premium paid for the put option, the Fund would incur no additional loss. In addition, a Fund may sell a put option which it has previously purchased prior to the sale of the securities (currencies) underlying such option. Such a sale would result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put option being sold. Such gain or loss could be offset in whole or in part by a change in the market value of the underlying security (currency). If a put option purchased by a Fund expired without being sold or exercised, the premium would be lost.

Limitations on the Use of Futures, Options and Swaps. The Advisor currently claims an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the “CEA”), and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO under the CEA in respect of the TCW Core Fixed Income Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund, TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund, TCW Global Bond Fund, TCW Global Real Estate Fund, TCW High Dividend Equities Fund, TCW High Yield Bond Fund, TCW International Growth Fund, TCW International Small Cap Fund, TCW Short Term Bond Fund and TCW Total Return Bond Fund. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information (this “SAI”), the Advisor does not expect to register as a CPO of the Funds listed above. However, there is no certainty that these Funds or the Advisor will be able to rely on the exclusion in the future as the Funds’ investments change over time. In order to be eligible to rely on the exclusion, any of these Funds may enter into futures, options, forwards, and swaps that do not constitute bona fide hedging only if, immediately thereafter, (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions will not exceed 5% of the Fund’s liquidation value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered into, and provided that in the case of an option that is in-the-money (the exercise price of the call (put) option is less (more) than the market price of the underlying security) at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in computing such 5%; or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of such positions, determined at the time the most recent position was established, does not exceed 100% of the Fund’s liquidation value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions it has entered into.

The Advisor is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) as a CPO with respect to the TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund and the Subsidiary and is a member of the National Futures Association (NFA) in such capacity. However, the Advisor currently operates pursuant to regulations under the CEA that exempt the Advisor from many of the requirements otherwise applicable to CPOs.

Futures Contracts. Each of the Funds may purchase and sell interest rate, currency, and index futures contracts (“futures contracts”), on securities eligible for purchase by the Fund. Subject to certain limitations, a Fund may enter into futures contracts or options on such contracts to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased by the Fund resulting from interest rate or market fluctuations, to protect the Fund’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage its effective maturity or duration, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities.

In connection with the purchase or sale of futures contracts, a Fund will be required to either (i) segregate sufficient cash or other liquid assets to cover the outstanding position or (ii) cover the futures contract by owning the instruments underlying the futures contracts, by holding a portfolio of securities with characteristics substantially similar to the underlying index or stock index comprising the futures contracts, or by holding a separate offsetting option permitting it to purchase or sell the same futures contract. With respect to forwards and futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund must cover its open positions by segregating or “earmarking” liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. With respect to forwards and futures that are contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund is permitted to segregate or “earmark” liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability, if any) rather than the notional value. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligation under cash-settled forwards or futures, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate or “earmark” assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.

A Fund may purchase or sell interest rate futures for the purpose of hedging some or all of the value of its portfolio securities against changes in prevailing interest rates or to manage its duration or effective maturity. If the Advisor anticipates that interest rates may rise and, concomitantly, the price of certain of its portfolio securities may fall, the Fund may sell futures contracts. If declining interest rates are anticipated, the Fund may purchase futures contracts to protect against a potential increase in the price of securities the Fund intends to purchase. Subsequently, appropriate securities may be purchased by the Fund in an orderly fashion; as securities are purchased, corresponding futures positions would be terminated by offsetting sales of contracts. A Fund may purchase or sell futures

 

9


on various currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated for the purpose of hedging against anticipated changes in currency exchange rates. A Fund will enter into currency futures contracts to “lock in” the value of a security purchased or sold in a given currency vis-a-vis a different currency or to hedge against an adverse currency exchange rate movement of a portfolio security’s denominated currency vis-a-vis a different currency. Foreign currency futures contracts would be entered into for the same reason and under the same circumstances as foreign currency forward contracts. The Advisor will assess such factors as cost spreads, liquidity and transaction costs in determining whether to utilize futures contracts or forward contracts in its foreign currency transactions and hedging strategy.

Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by a broker’s client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on the futures contract which will be returned to a Fund upon the proper termination of the futures contract. Initial margin requirements are established by the exchanges on which futures contracts trade and may, from time to time, change. In addition, brokers may establish margin deposit requirements in excess of those required by the exchanges.

All futures contracts are marked to market and settled daily. A Fund may be required to deposit cash or U.S. government securities, called “variation margin,” with the Fund’s futures commission merchant (“FCM”) to satisfy its losses due to price fluctuations in the futures contract. Conversely, a Fund may request that its FCM deliver any gains due to price fluctuations in the futures account to the Fund’s custodian.

At any time prior to expiration of a futures contract, a Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of any variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.

Although many futures contracts call for actual commitment or acceptance of securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement date without making or taking delivery. A short futures position is usually closed out by purchasing futures contracts for the same aggregate amount of the underlying instruments and with the same delivery date. If the sale price exceeds the offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the difference and realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sales price, the seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss. Similarly, a long futures position is usually closed out by effecting a futures contract sale for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security (currency) and the same delivery date. If the offsetting sales price exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to enter into a closing transaction.

A Fund’s investments in foreign futures will depend on the laws and regulations of the appropriate foreign jurisdiction. None of the CFTC, NFA, SEC, or any domestic exchange regulates the trading activities in any foreign exchange or boards of trade or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of those organizations or any applicable foreign law. As such, foreign futures transactions may not provide a Fund with the same amount of protection as available under U.S. securities and commodities laws.

Options on Futures Contracts. Each of the Funds may also purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts which are traded on an exchange and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in return for the premium paid) to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option.

The Funds will purchase and write options on futures contracts for identical purposes to those set forth above for the purchase of a futures contract (purchase of a call option or sale of a put option) and the sale of a futures contract (purchase of a put option or sale of a call option), or to close out a long or short position in futures contracts. Any premiums received in the writing of options on futures contracts may, of course, provide a further hedge against losses resulting from price declines in portions of a Fund’s portfolio.

Options on Foreign Currencies. Each of the Funds may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for purposes similar to those involved with investing in foreign currency forward contracts. For example, in order to protect against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities which are denominated in a foreign currency, a Fund may purchase put options on an amount of such foreign currency equivalent to the current value of the portfolio securities involved. As a result, the Fund would be able to sell the foreign currency for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, thereby “locking in” the dollar value of the portfolio securities (less the amount of the premiums paid for the options). Conversely, a Fund may purchase call options on foreign currencies in which securities it anticipates purchasing are denominated to secure a set U.S. dollar price for such securities and protect against a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar against such foreign currency. Each of the Funds may also purchase call and put options to close out written option positions.

Each of the Funds may also write call options on foreign currency to protect against potential declines in its portfolio securities which are denominated in foreign currencies. If the U.S. dollar value of the portfolio securities falls as a result of a decline in the exchange rate between the foreign currency in which it is denominated and the U.S. dollar, then a loss to a Fund occasioned by such value decline would be ameliorated by receipt of the premium on the option sold. At the same time, however, the Fund gives up the benefit

 

10


of any rise in value of the relevant portfolio securities above the exercise price of the option and, in fact, only receives a benefit from the writing of the option to the extent that the value of the portfolio securities falls below the price of the premium received. A Fund may also write options to close out long call option positions. A put option on a foreign currency would be written by a Fund for the same reason it would purchase a call option, namely, to hedge against an increase in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign security which the Fund anticipates purchasing. Here, the receipt of the premium would offset, to the extent of the size of the premium, any increased cost to a Fund resulting from an increase in the U.S. dollar value of the foreign security. However, a Fund could not benefit from any decline in the cost of the foreign security which is greater than the price of the premium received. A Fund may also write options to close out long put and call option positions.

The markets for certain foreign currency options are relatively new and a Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Funds will not purchase or write such options unless and until, in the opinion of the Advisor, the market for them has developed sufficiently to ensure that the risks in connection with such options are not greater than the risks in connection with the underlying currency, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time. In addition, options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally.

The value of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of the option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies and have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security, including foreign securities held in a “hedged” investment portfolio. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.

Forward Currency Transactions. Each of the Funds may enter into forward currency transactions. A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at an agreed future date, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders. A Fund may enter into foreign currency forward contracts in order to protect against the risk that the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s dividends, interest and net realized capital gains in local currency will decline to the extent of any devaluation of the currency during the intervals between (a) the time (i) the Fund becomes entitled to receive or receives dividends, interest and realized gains or (ii) an investor gives notice of a requested redemption of a certain amount and (b) the time such amount(s) are converted into U.S. dollars for remittance out of the particular country or countries.

At the maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, prior to maturity, enter into a closing purchase transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing purchase transactions with respect to forward contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract.

The cost to a Fund of engaging in forward currency transactions may vary with factors such as the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency transactions are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved, although the price charged in the transaction includes a dealer’s markup. The use of forward currency contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. In addition, although forward currency contracts limit the risk of loss due to a devaluation of the foreign currency in relation to the U.S. dollar, they also limit any potential gain if that foreign currency appreciates with respect to the U.S. dollar.

A Fund will “cover” its forward positions in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect to asset coverage for futures contracts.

Convertible Securities. Each of the Funds may acquire convertible securities. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities provide a conversion right for a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible debt securities in that they ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers. Therefore, they generally entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the proximity of its price to its value as a nonconvertible fixed income security.

The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege), and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced

 

11


by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. In addition, a convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value determined by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security.

Restricted Securities. Each of the Funds may invest in securities which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or they are otherwise restricted as to sale. Restricted securities may include privately placed securities and securities offered pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Restricted securities are subject to legal and/or contractual restrictions on resale. In some cases, certain restricted securities can be sold without SEC registration to qualified institutional buyers and in accordance with the Funds’ procedures; such restricted securities could be treated as liquid. However, other restricted securities, such as those that are the subject of a private placement, may be illiquid for an extended period of time and will be reported as such.

Sovereign Debt Obligations and Emerging Market Countries. Each of the Funds may invest in sovereign debt and emerging market countries. Political conditions, in terms of a country or agency’s willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, are of considerable significance. Investors should be aware that the sovereign debt instruments in which the Funds may invest involve great risk and are deemed to be the equivalent in terms of quality to securities rated below investment grade by Moody’s and S&P.

Sovereign debt generally offers high yields, reflecting not only perceived credit risk, but also the need to compete with other local investments in domestic financial markets. A foreign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the foreign debtor’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. Sovereign debtors may default on their sovereign debt. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a sovereign debtor’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts.

In recent years, some of the emerging market countries in which the Funds expect to invest have encountered difficulties in servicing their sovereign debt. Some of these countries have withheld payments of interest and/or principal of sovereign debt. These difficulties have also led to agreements to restructure external debt obligations, in particular, commercial bank loans, typically by rescheduling principal payments, reducing interest rates and extending new credits to finance interest payments on existing debt. In the future, holders of sovereign debt may be requested to participate in similar rescheduling of such debt.

The ability or willingness of the governments of emerging market countries to make timely payments on their sovereign debt is likely to be influenced strongly by a country’s balance of trade and its access to trade and other international credits. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable to a decline in the international prices of one or more of such commodities. Increased protectionism on the part of a country’s trading partners could also adversely affect its exports. Such events could extinguish a country’s trade account surplus, if any. To the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other than hard currencies, its ability to make hard currency payments could be affected.

The occurrence of political, social and diplomatic changes in one or more of the countries issuing sovereign debt could adversely affect the Funds’ investments. The countries issuing such instruments are faced with social and political issues and some of them have experienced high rates of inflation in recent years and have extensive internal debt. Among other effects, high inflation and internal debt service requirements may adversely affect the cost and availability of future domestic sovereign borrowing to finance governmental programs, and may have other adverse social, political and economic consequences. Political changes or a deterioration of a country’s domestic economy or balance of trade may affect the willingness of countries to services their sovereign debt. There can be no assurance that adverse political changes will not cause the Funds to suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings.

As a result of all of the foregoing, a government obligor may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, a Fund may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign government debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. Bankruptcy, moratorium and other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt obligations may

 

12


be substantially different from those applicable to issuers of private debt obligations. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign government debt obligations in the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements.

Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt and in turn, the Funds’ net asset values, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in domestic securities. The value of sovereign debt will likely vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates, which are subject to considerable variance in the international market.

Warrants. A warrant confers upon its holder the right to purchase an amount of securities at a particular time and price. Because a warrant does not carry with it the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities which it entitles a holder to purchase, and because it does not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer, warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. Also, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.

Short Sales. If a Fund anticipates that the price of a security will decline, it may sell the security “short” (i.e., without owing it) and borrow the same security from a broker or other institution to complete the sale. In a short sale, a Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold and does not receive the proceeds from the sale. The Fund is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities sold, at which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. When a short sale transaction is closed out by delivery of the securities, any gain or loss on the transaction is generally taxable as a short term capital gain or loss.

A Fund may make a profit or loss depending upon whether the market price of the security decreases or increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund must replace the borrowed security. Until the security is replaced, the Fund generally is required to pay to the lender amounts equal to any interest that accrues during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would also increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker (or by a Fund’s custodian in a special custody account), to the extent necessary to meet the margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.

Until a Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will designate liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short and (ii) the amount designated plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the market value of the security at the time it was sold short.

Short Sales Against the Box. Each of the Funds may from time to time sell securities “short against the box.” A short sale is “against the box” if a Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold short. A short sale of an American Depository Receipt (“ADR”) is “against the box” if a Fund owns the underlying security represented by the ADR and reasonably believes it will be able to convert the security into the ADR prior to delivery.

To secure its obligation to deliver the securities sold short against the box, a Fund will deposit in a separate collateral account with its custodian an equal amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities. A Fund may close out a short sale against the box by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering securities already held by the Fund, if the Fund wants to, for example, continue to receive interest and dividend payments on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short or defer recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. A Fund will incur transaction costs, including interest expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining and closing short sales against the box, which result in a “constructive sale,” requiring the Fund to recognize any taxable gain from the transaction.

Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. The Funds may invest in (i) securities that are sold in private placement transactions between their issuers and their purchasers and that are neither listed on an exchange nor traded over-the-counter, and (ii) securities that are sold in transactions between qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Securities deemed liquid may be deemed illiquid for a time if private placement purchasers or qualified institutional buyers become uninterested or unwilling to purchase these securities.

While maintaining oversight, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) has delegated to the Advisor the day-to-day functions of determining whether or not individual securities are liquid for purposes of the limitations on investments in illiquid assets. Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper will be considered illiquid and therefore subject to the Funds’ limit on the purchase of illiquid securities unless the Board of Directors or the Advisor determines that the Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper are liquid. In determining the liquidity of a security, the Advisor will consider, among other things, the following factors: (i) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (ii) the number of dealers and other potential purchasers wishing to purchase or sell the security; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (iv) the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, the mechanics of transfer and whether a security is listed on an electronic for trading the security).

 

13


Preferred Stock. The Funds may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stocks, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. Some preferred stocks also entitle their holders to receive additional liquidation proceeds on the same basis as holders of a company’s common stock, and thus also represent an ownership interest in that company.

Preferred stocks may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred stock is subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred stock of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies.

Strategies and Investments Available to TCW High Dividend Equities Fund, TCW Global Real Estate Fund, the International Funds and U.S. Fixed Income Funds (as shown on the cover of this SAI)

Swap Agreements. The International Funds, the U.S. Fixed Income Funds, TCW Global Real Estate Fund and TCW High Dividend Equities Fund may engage in swap transactions, including, but not limited to, swap agreements on interest rates, security or commodity indexes, specific securities and commodities, and credit and event-linked swaps. To the extent a Fund may invest in foreign currency-denominated securities, it also may invest in currency exchange rate swap agreements. A Fund also may enter into options on swap agreements (“swap options”).

A Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objectives and policies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique, to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in the most economical way possible.

Swap agreements are derivative instruments entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, the parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities or commodities representing a particular index. A “quanto” or “differential” swap combines both an interest rate and a currency transaction. Other forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

Consistent with the TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund’s investment objectives and general investment policies, that Fund may invest in commodity swap agreements. For example, an investment in a commodity swap agreement may involve the exchange of floating-rate interest payments for the total return on a commodity index. In a total return commodity swap, the Fund will receive the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. If the commodity swap is for one period, the Fund may pay a fixed fee, established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is more than one period, with interim swap payments, the Fund may pay an adjustable or floating fee. With a “floating” rate, the fee may be pegged to a base rate, such as the LIBOR, and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, the Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.

A Fund also may enter into swap options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options.

Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than it will incur when it purchases a swap option. When a Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when a Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Most other types of swap agreements entered into by a Fund will calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, a Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). A Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the segregation or “earmarking” of assets determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors, to avoid any potential

 

14


leveraging of a Fund’s portfolio. However, with respect to swaps that are not required to cash settle, a Fund must segregate or “earmark” liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the swaps while the positions are open. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.

A Fund also may enter into credit default swap agreements. A credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by a Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If a Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, a Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

The spread of a credit default swap is the annual amount the protection buyer must pay the protection seller over the length of the contract, expressed as a percentage of the notional amount. When spreads rise, market perceived credit risk rises and when spreads fall, market perceived credit risk falls. Wider credit spreads and decreasing market values, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values, as well as the annual payment rate, serve as an indication of the current status of the payment/performance risk.

Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than had a Fund invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. A Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the buyer, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors, or enter into certain offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Fund to any counterparty), on a marked-to-market basis. In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the seller, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that a Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Such segregation or “earmarking” will not limit a Fund’s exposure to loss.

Currently, certain standardized swap transactions are subject to mandatory exchange trading and/or central clearing. Although central clearing is expected to decrease counterparty risk and increase liquidity compared to bilaterally negotiated swaps, central clearing does not eliminate counterparty risk or illiquidity risk entirely. In addition, depending on the size of a Fund and other factors, the margin required under the rules of a clearinghouse and by a clearing member may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by the Fund to support its obligations under a similar bilateral swap. However, regulators are expected to adopt rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps in the near future, which could change this comparison. Regulators are in the process of developing rules that would require trading and execution of most liquid swaps on trading facilities. Moving trading to an exchange-type system may increase market transparency and liquidity but may require a Fund to incur increased expenses to access the same types of swaps.

Rules adopted in 2012 also require centralized reporting of detailed information about many types of cleared and uncleared swaps. This information is available to regulators and, to a more limited extent and on an anonymous basis, to the public. Reporting of swap data may result in greater market transparency, which may be beneficial to funds that use swaps to implement trading strategies. However, these rules place potential additional administrative obligations on these funds, and the safeguards established to protect anonymity may not function as expected.

 

15


Strategies and Investments Available to the U.S. Fixed Income Funds (as shown on the cover of this SAI) and Emerging Markets Funds (i.e., TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund, and TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund)

Distressed and Defaulted Securities. The U.S. Fixed Income Funds and Emerging Markets Funds may each invest in distressed and defaulted securities. Distressed and defaulted securities are debt securities on which the issuer is not currently making interest payments. In order to enforce its rights in distressed and defaulted securities, a Fund may be required to participate in legal proceedings or take possession and manage assets securing the issuer’s obligations on the securities. This could increase a Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its net asset value. Risks of distressed and defaulted securities may be considerably higher than risks of securities on which issuers are currently making interest payments as they are generally unsecured and subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. Investments by a Fund in distressed and defaulted securities may be considered illiquid subject to the 15% limitation on illiquid securities unless the Advisor determines such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors.

Structured Notes. The U.S. Fixed Income Funds and Emerging Markets Funds may invest in structured notes. Structured notes are derivative debt instruments, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator (for example, a currency, security, commodity or index thereof). The terms of the instrument may be “structured” by the purchaser and the borrower issuing the note. The terms of structured notes may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity, which may result in a loss of invested capital. Structured notes may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the unrelated indicator may produce an increase or a decrease in the interest rate or the value of the structured note at maturity may be calculated as a specified multiple of the change in the value of the unrelated indicator. Therefore, the value of such notes may be very volatile. Structured notes may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the unrelated indicator. Structured notes also may be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities and instruments or more traditional debt securities. To the extent a Fund invests in these notes, however, the Advisor analyzes these notes in its overall assessment of the effective duration of the Fund’s holdings in an effort to monitor the Fund’s interest rate risk.

Loan Participation and Assignments. Investment in secured or unsecured fixed or floating rate loans (“Loans”) arranged through private negotiations between a borrowing corporation, government or other entity and one or more financial institutions (“Lenders”) may be in the form of participations in Loans (“Participation”) or assignments of all or a portion of Loans from third parties (“Assignments”). Participations typically result in a Fund’s having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the borrower. A Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, a Fund generally has no direct right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and a Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, a Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the selling Lender, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of that Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the borrower. A Fund will acquire Participations only if the Advisor determines that the selling Lender is creditworthy.

When a Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, it acquires direct rights against the borrower on the Loan. In an Assignment, a Fund is entitled to receive payments directly from the borrower and, therefore, does not depend on the selling bank to pass these payments onto the Fund. However, because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and may be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.

Assignments and Participations are generally not registered under the Securities Act, and thus may be subject to a Fund’s limitation on investment in illiquid securities. Because there may be no liquid market for such securities, such securities may be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market could have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and on a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular Assignments or Participations when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower.

Government Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. The U.S. Fixed Income Funds may invest in mortgage pass-through securities representing participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans purchased from individual lenders by an agency, instrumentality or sponsored corporation of the United States government (“Federal Agency”) or originated by private lenders and guaranteed, to the extent provided in such securities, by a Federal Agency. Such securities, which are ownership interests in the underlying mortgage loans, differ from conventional debt securities, and provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts (usually semiannually) and principal payments (not necessarily in fixed amounts) that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the guarantor of such securities and the servicer of the underlying mortgage loans.

The government mortgage pass-through securities in which the Funds may invest include those issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home

 

16


Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). GNMA certificates are direct obligations of the U.S. government and, as such, are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. FNMA is a federally chartered, privately owned corporation and FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United States. FNMA and FHLMC certificates are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States but the issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from an existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. Treasury has no legal obligation to provide such line of credit and may choose not to do so.

Certificates for these types of mortgage-backed securities evidence an interest in a specific pool of mortgages. These certificates are, in most cases, “modified pass-through” instruments, wherein the issuing agency guarantees the payment of principal and interest on mortgages underlying the certificates, whether or not such amounts are collected by the issuer on the underlying mortgages.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) and Multiclass Pass-Through Securities. CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities. Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC certificates, but also may be collateralized by whole loans or private mortgage pass-through securities (such collateral is collectively hereinafter referred to as “Mortgage Assets”). Multiclass pass-through securities are equity interests in a trust composed of Mortgage Assets. Payments of principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by Federal Agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. The issuer of a series of CMOs may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”). REMICs include governmental and/or private entities that issue a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities, but unlike CMOs, which are required to be structured as debt securities, REMICs may be structured as indirect ownership interests in the underlying assets of the REMICs themselves. However, there are no effects on a Fund whether or not the CMOs in which the Fund invests are issued by entities that have elected to be treated as REMICs, and all future references to CMOs shall also be deemed to include REMIC.

In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis. Certain CMOs may have variable or floating interest rates and others may be stripped mortgage securities (as described below).

The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways. Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to certain of the individual tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities. As part of the process of creating more predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the cash flows on the underlying mortgage loans. The yields on these tranches are generally higher than prevailing market yields on mortgage-backed securities with similar maturities. As a result of the uncertainty of the cash flows of these tranches, the market prices of and yield on these tranches generally are more volatile. The Funds will not invest in CMO and REMIC residuals.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Private mortgage pass-through securities are structured similarly to the GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by United States and foreign private issuers such as originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security. The Funds will not pay any fees for credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

 

17


Stripped Mortgage Securities. Stripped mortgage securities may be issued by Federal Agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Stripped mortgage securities not issued by Federal Agencies will be treated by the Funds as illiquid securities so long as the staff of the SEC maintains its position that such securities are illiquid.

Stripped mortgage securities usually are structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution of a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). PO classes generate income through the accretion of the deep discount at which such securities are purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive periodic payments of interest, they receive monthly payments associated with scheduled amortization and principal prepayment from the mortgage assets underlying the PO class. The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on such security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments or principal, a Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities.

A Fund may purchase stripped mortgage securities for income, or for hedging purposes to protect the Fund’s portfolio against interest rate fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value as interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in value of other fixed-income securities in a rising interest rate environment.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the Consumer Price Index accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.

Inflation-indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury have maturities of five, ten or thirty years, although it is possible that securities with other maturities will be issued in the future. The U.S. Treasury securities pay interest on a semiannual basis, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. For example, if a Fund purchased an inflation-indexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and inflation over the first six months was 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15 ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year resulted in the whole years’ inflation equaling 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be $1,030 and the second semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 times 1.5%).

If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the bonds is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. A Fund also may invest in other inflation related bonds which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds.

While these securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.

The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-indexed bonds is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. Inflation-indexed bonds issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index, calculated by that government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States.

Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

 

18


Mortgage Dollar Rolls. The U.S. Fixed Income Funds may enter into mortgage dollar rolls with a bank or a broker-dealer. A mortgage dollar roll is a transaction in which a Fund sells mortgage-related securities for immediate settlement and simultaneously purchases the same type of securities for forward settlement at a discount. While a Fund begins accruing interest on the newly purchased securities from the purchase or trade date, it is able to invest the proceeds from the sale of its previously owned securities, which will be used to pay for the new securities, in money market investments until future settlement date. The use of mortgage dollar rolls is a speculative technique involving leverage, and is considered to be a form of borrowing by a Fund.

Asset-Backed Securities. The U.S. Fixed Income Funds may invest in securities issued by trusts and special purpose corporations with principal and interest payouts backed by, or supported by, any of various types of assets. These assets typically include receivables related to the purchase of automobiles, credit card loans, and home equity loans. These securities generally take the form of a structured type of security, including pass-through, pay-through, and stripped interest payout structures similar to the CMO structure. Investments in these and other types of asset-backed securities must be consistent with the investment objective and policies of a Fund.

Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties and use similar credit enhancement techniques. The cash flow generated by the underlying assets is applied to make required payments on the securities and to pay related administrative expenses. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a particular issue of asset-backed securities depends on, among other things, the characteristics of the underlying assets, the coupon rates on the securities, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the actual prepayment experience on the underlying assets.

Inverse Floaters. Inverse floaters constitute a class of CMOs with a coupon rate that moves inversely to a designated index, such as LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or 11th District Cost of Funds index (“COFI”). Inverse floaters have coupon rates that typically change at a multiple of the changes of the relevant index rate. Any rise in the index rate (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate on an inverse floater while any drop in the index rate causes an increase in the coupon rate of an inverse floater. In some circumstances, the coupon on an inverse floater could decrease to zero. In addition, like most other fixed-income securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates increase and their average lives will extend. Inverse floaters exhibit greater price volatility than the majority of mortgage-backed securities. In addition, some inverse floaters display extreme sensitivity to changes in prepayments. As a result, the yield to maturity of an inverse floater is sensitive not only to changes in interest rates but also to changes in prepayment rates on the related underlying mortgage assets. As described above, inverse floaters may be used alone or in tandem with interest-only stripped mortgage instruments.

The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the designated index to which the interest rate on the inverse floater is tied. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Accordingly, the duration of an inverse floater may exceed its stated final maturity. Certain inverse floaters may be considered to be illiquid securities for purposes of a Fund’s 15% limitation on investment in illiquid securities.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by a Fund of portfolio securities concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same securities at a later date at a fixed price. Generally, the effect of such a transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income associated with those portfolio securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the interest cost to a Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost of otherwise obtaining the cash.

Debt Securities. The U.S. Fixed Income Funds may invest in U.S. dollar or foreign currency-denominated corporate debt securities (corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar corporate debt instruments, including convertible securities) of domestic or foreign issuers. The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants attached.

Credit Linked Notes (“CLNs”). The U.S. Fixed Income Funds may each invest in CLNs. A CLN is a security structured and issued by an issuer, which may be a bank, broker or special purpose vehicle. If a CLN is issued by a special purpose vehicle, the special purpose vehicle will typically be collateralized by AAA-rated securities. The performance and payment of principal and interest are tied to a reference obligation, which may be a particular security, basket of securities, a credit default swap, basket of credit default swaps or an index. The referenced obligation may be denominated in foreign currency. Risks of CLNs include those risks associated with the underlying reference obligation, including, but not limited to, market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, default risk and foreign currency risk. In the case of a CLN created with credit default swaps, the structure will be “funded” such that the par amount of the security will represent the maximum loss that could be incurred on the investment and no leverage will be introduced. An investor of a CLN bears counterparty risk or the risk that the CLN issuer will default or become bankrupt and not make timely payment of principal and interest of the structured security.

 

19


Strategies and Investments Available to the TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

Investments in the Subsidiary. The TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund will invest up to 25% of its total assets in the shares of the Subsidiary. Investments in the Subsidiary are expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodity markets within the limitations of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings. The Subsidiary is advised by the Advisor, and has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Subsidiary may invest in commodity-linked swap agreements and other commodity-linked derivative instruments, including futures contracts on individual commodities or a subset of commodities and options on them, to an extent greater than that permitted for the Fund. However, the Subsidiary is otherwise subject to the same fundamental, non-fundamental and certain other investment restrictions as the Fund, including the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments and shares of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary’s portfolio is managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. The Subsidiary is a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and is overseen by its own board of directors. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary, and it is not currently expected that shares of the Subsidiary will be sold or offered to other investors.

The Subsidiary invests primarily in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including swap agreements, commodity options, futures and options on futures. Although the Fund may enter into these commodity-linked derivative instruments directly, the Fund will likely gain exposure to these derivative instruments indirectly by investing in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will also invest in fixed income instruments, some of which are intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivatives position.

The Subsidiary has an investment management agreement with the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor manages the assets of the Subsidiary and the Subsidiary is obligated to pay the Advisor a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays the Advisor for services provided to the Fund. The Subsidiary has also entered into separate contracts for the provision of custody, administration and transfer agency, and accounting agent services.

The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in the Prospectus or this SAI, is not subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by the Advisor, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary and its role as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. As noted above, the Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund. In addition, changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the Prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund. For example, the Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns.

RISK CONSIDERATIONS

The following risk considerations relate to investment practices that may be undertaken by some or all of the Funds and supplement the principal risks described in the Prospectus. Generally, since shares of a Fund represent an investment in securities with fluctuating market prices, shareholders should understand that the value of their Fund shares will vary as the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities increases or decreases. Therefore, the value of an investment in a Fund could go down as well as up. You can lose money by investing in a Fund. There is no guarantee of successful performance, that a Fund’s objective can be achieved or that an investment in a Fund will achieve a positive return. Each Fund should be considered as a means of diversifying an investment portfolio and is not in itself a balanced investment program.

Prospective investors should consider the following risks.

General

Various market risks can affect the price or liquidity of an issuer’s securities in which a Fund may invest. Returns from the securities in which a Fund invests may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. Different types of securities tend to go through cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to the general securities markets. Adverse events occurring with respect to an issuer’s performance or financial position can depress the value of the issuer’s securities. The liquidity in a market for a particular security will affect its value and may be affected by factors relating to the issuer, as well as the depth of the market for that security. Other market risks that can affect value include a market’s current attitudes about type of security, market reactions to political or economic events, including litigation, tax and regulatory effects (including lack of adequate regulations for a market or particular type of instrument).

Instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of

 

20


liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the securities in which a Fund invests or the issuers of such securities in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Funds are regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Counterparty Credit Risk

Commodity- and financial-linked derivative instruments are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the instrument might not pay interest when due or repay principal at maturity of the obligation. If a counterparty defaults on its interest or principal payment obligations to a Fund, this default will cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decrease. In addition, certain Funds may invest in commodity- and financial-linked structured notes issued by a limited number of issuers, which will act as counterparties. To the extent a Fund focuses its investments in a limited number of issuers, it will be more susceptible to the risks associated with those issuers. Certain derivative transactions may or are required to centrally clear, which may reduce counterparty and liquidity risk but will not completely eliminate such risks.

Foreign Currency Risk

Because foreign securities generally are denominated and pay dividends or interest in foreign currencies, the value of the net assets (as measured in United States dollars) of those Funds that invest in foreign securities will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in exchange rates. Generally, currency exchange transactions will be conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market. The cost of currency exchange transactions will generally be the difference between the bid and offer spot rate of the currency being purchased or sold. In order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates, the Funds are authorized to enter into certain foreign currency future and forward contracts. However, it is not obligated to do so and, depending on the availability and cost of these devices, the Funds may be unable to use them to protect against currency risk. While foreign currency future and forward contracts may be available, the cost of these instruments may be prohibitively expensive so that the Funds may not to be able to effectively use them.

Foreign Securities Risk

Investment in foreign securities involves special risks in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. These include: political or economic instability; the unpredictability of international trade patterns; the possibility of foreign governmental actions such as expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation; the imposition or modification of foreign currency or foreign investment controls; the imposition of withholding taxes on dividends, interest and gains; price volatility; and fluctuations in currency exchange rates. As compared to companies located in the United States, foreign issuers generally disclose less financial and other information publicly and are subject to less stringent and less uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. Foreign countries typically impose less thorough regulations on brokers, dealers, stock exchanges, insiders and listed companies than does the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid and more volatile than domestic markets. Investment in foreign securities involves higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. In addition, security trading practices abroad may offer less protection to investors such as the Funds. Settlement of transactions in some foreign markets may be delayed or may be less frequent than in the U.S., which could affect the liquidity of each Fund’s portfolio. Also, it may be more difficult to obtain and enforce legal judgments against foreign corporate issuers than against domestic issuers and it may be impossible to obtain and enforce judgments against foreign governmental issues.

The European financial markets have continued to experience volatility because of concerns about economic downturns and about high and rising government debt levels of several countries in the European Union and Europe generally. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the Euro and the European securities markets, and may spread to other countries in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro. These events may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments. Responses to the financial problems by European Union governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.

In a public referendum in June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union (a process now commonly referred to as “Brexit”). As a result of and based on the pronouncements of the United Kingdom government, it is probable that negotiations will take place to determine the terms of the United Kingdom’s departure from, and of its new political and economic relationship with, the European Union. This could lead to a period of significant uncertainty and increased volatility in both U.S. and global securities and currency markets. In addition to concerns related to the effect of Brexit, that referendum may inspire similar initiatives in other European Union member countries, producing further risks for global financial markets.

 

21


Large Shareholder Redemption Risk

Certain account holders may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of a Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these account holders of their shares in a Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and net asset value. These redemptions may also force a Fund to sell securities, which may negatively impact the Fund’s brokerage and tax costs.

Options Transaction Risk

The effective use of options depends on a Fund’s ability to terminate option positions at times when the Advisor deems it desirable to do so. Prior to exercise or expiration, an option position can only be terminated by entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction. If a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction or to purchase an offsetting OTC Option, it cannot sell the underlying security until the option expires or the option is exercised. Accordingly, a covered call option writer may not be able to sell an underlying security at a time when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so. A secured put option writer who is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction or to purchase an offsetting OTC Option would continue to bear the risk of decline in the market price of the underlying security until the option expires or is exercised.

In addition, a secured put writer would be unable to utilize the amount held in cash or U.S. government securities or other high grade short-term obligations as security for the put option for other investment purposes until the exercise or expiration of the option.

A Fund’s ability to close out its position as a writer of an option is dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market. There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of OTC Options, as such options will generally only be closed out by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the purchasing dealer. However, the Fund may be able to purchase an offsetting option which does not close out its position as a writer but constitutes an asset of equal value to the obligation under the option written. If the Fund is not able to either enter into a closing purchase transaction or purchase an offsetting position, it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call, or the collateral underlying the put, even though it might not be advantageous to do so, until a closing transaction can be entered into (or the option is exercised or expires).

Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange are: (a) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (b) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (c) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; (d) interruption of the normal operations on an exchange; (e) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or the OCC or other relevant clearing corporation to handle current trading volume; or (f) a decision by one or more exchanges 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 relevant clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which a Fund engages in transactions in options, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC Option purchased by a Fund, the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the option. Transactions are entered into by a Fund only with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Fund’s management.

Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum number of options on the same underlying security or futures contract (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may restrict the number of listed options which a Fund may write.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.

Ratings Categories Risk

A description of the rating categories as published by Moody’s and S&P is set forth in Appendix A to this SAI. Ratings assigned by Moody’s and/or S&P to securities acquired by a Fund reflect only the views of those agencies as to the quality of the securities they have undertaken to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. There is no assurance that a rating assigned initially will not change. A Fund may retain a security whose rating has changed or has become unrated.

Repurchase Agreement Risk

In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution under a repurchase agreement, a Fund will seek to sell the underlying security serving as collateral. However, this could involve certain costs or delays, and, to the extent that proceeds from any

 

22


sale were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. Each Fund follows procedures designed to minimize the risks associated with repurchase agreements, including effecting repurchase transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions and specifying the required value of the collateral underlying the agreement.

Restricted Securities Risk

Certain Funds may acquire securities through private placements. These securities are typically sold directly to a small number of investors, usually institutions or mutual funds. Unlike public offerings, such securities are not registered under the federal securities laws. Although certain of these securities may be readily sold, others may be illiquid, and their sale may involve substantial delays and additional costs.

In addition, certain Funds may also invest in securities sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A permits the Funds to sell restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers without limitation. However, investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of a Fund’s illiquidity to the extent the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such securities.

Restricted securities, including private placements, are subject to legal and contractual restrictions on resale. This may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent a Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. A Fund may have to bear the expense of registering such securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting such registration.

The Advisor, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Directors, will make a determination as to the liquidity of each private placement or restricted security purchased by a Fund. If such security is determined to be “liquid,” it will not be included within the category “illiquid securities,” which under each Fund’s current policies may not exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets. To the extent a Fund owns private placements or restricted securities, these securities may involve liquidity and valuation difficulties. At times of less liquidity, it may be more difficult to value these securities because this valuation may require more research and elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation since there is less reliable, objective data available. Securities that are not readily marketable will be valued by a Fund pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.

Reverse Repurchase Agreement and Mortgage Dollar Roll Risk

Reverse repurchase agreements and mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement or mortgage dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund’s use of proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements and mortgage dollar rolls are speculative techniques involving leverage, and are considered borrowings by a Fund. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, a Fund is required to maintain an asset coverage (including the proceeds of the borrowings) of a least 300% of all borrowings. None of the Funds authorized to utilize these instruments expects to engage in reverse repurchase agreements or mortgage dollar rolls (together with other borrowings of the Fund) with respect to greater than 30% of the Fund’s total assets.

Stock Market Risk

Funds that invest in equity securities are subject to stock market risks and significant fluctuations in value. If the stock market declines in value, a Fund’s share price is likely to decline in value. A Fund’s focus on certain types of stocks (such as small or large cap) and style of investing (such as value or growth) subjects it to the risk that is performance may be lower than that of other types of equity funds that focus on other types of stocks or that have a broader investment style (such as general market).

Structured Note Risk

Certain Funds may invest in structured notes, which are debt obligations that also contain an embedded derivative component with characteristics that adjust the obligation’s risk/return profile. Generally, the performance of a structured note will track that of the underlying debt obligation and the derivative embedded within it. A Fund has the right to receive periodic interest payments from the issuer of the structured notes at an agreed-upon interest rate and a return of the principal at the maturity date.

Structured notes are typically privately negotiated transactions between two or more parties. A Fund bears the risk that the issuer of the structured note will default or become bankrupt. A Fund bears the risk of the loss of its principal investment and periodic interest payments expected to be received for the duration of its investment in the structured notes.

In the case of structured notes on credit default swaps, a Fund is also subject to the credit risk of the corporate credits underlying the credit default swaps. If one of the underlying corporate credits defaults, a Fund may receive the security that has defaulted, or alternatively a cash settlement may occur, and the Fund’s principal investment in the structured note would be reduced by the corresponding face value of the defaulted security.

 

23


A Fund may invest in equity-linked structured notes (which would be linked to an equity index). A highly liquid secondary market may not exist for the structured notes a Fund invests in, and there can be no assurance that a highly liquid secondary market will develop. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market may make it difficult for a Fund to sell the structured notes it holds at an acceptable price or accurately value such notes.

The market for structured notes may be, or suddenly can become, illiquid. The other parties to the transaction may be the only investors with sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested in bidding for it. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid, and unpredictable changes in the prices for structured notes. In certain cases, a market price for a credit-linked security may not be available. The collateral for a structured note may be one or more credit default swaps, which are subject to additional risks.

Swap Agreement Risk

Whether a Fund’s use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the ability of the Advisor to correctly predict whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because bilateral swaps are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, these agreements may be considered to be illiquid investments. Illiquidity may make it more difficult for a Fund to enter or close swap transactions at opportune times, which could cause the Fund to lose value or forgo advantageous investment positions. Similarly, swap agreements can be complex and difficult to price objectively. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a bilateral swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of the swap agreement counterparty. As a result of new rules adopted in 2012, certain standardized swaps are currently subject to mandatory central clearing. Central clearing is designed to decrease counterparty risk and increase liquidity, as compared to bilateral swaps. However, central clearing does not eliminate such risks. Further, central clearing may require a Fund to post margin that may be greater than the collateral that would have be required under a bilateral agreement. A Fund will enter into uncleared swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards for creditworthiness (generally, such counterparties would have to be eligible counterparties under the terms of the Fund’s repurchase agreement guidelines). Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit a Fund’s ability to use swap agreements. It is possible that future developments in the swap market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements, realize amounts to be received under such agreements, make full use of swaps transactions, or otherwise profit from such agreements. In addition, swaps may also subject a Fund to leveraging risk by exposing the Fund to potential profits and losses based on the full notional amount underlying the swap with through just a small initial investment. A Fund’s use of leverage may reduce the Fund’s returns and increase its volatility.

Risks Associated With Commodity-Linked Instruments

The TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investments in commodity-linked derivative instruments, such as structured notes, which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities or commodities futures contracts. The Fund may also seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investments in the Subsidiary. Real assets are assets such as oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or bonds, which are financial instruments. In choosing investments, the Advisor seeks to provide exposure to various commodities and commodity sectors. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments held by the Fund and/or the Subsidiary may be affected by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, overall market movements and other factors affecting the value of particular industries or commodities, such as weather, disease, embargoes, acts of war or terrorism, or political and regulatory developments.

The prices of commodity-linked derivative instruments may move in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have historically tended to decline in value due to the general increase in prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of course, there cannot be any guarantee that these investments will perform in that manner in the future, and at certain times the price movements of commodity-linked instruments have been parallel to those of debt and equity securities. Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value during different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification benefits. Under favorable economic conditions, the Fund’s investments may be expected to underperform an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term, the returns on the Fund’s investments are expected to exhibit low or negative correlation with stocks and bonds.

The ability of the Fund to gain commodity exposure as contemplated may be adversely affected by future legislation, regulatory developments, interpretive guidance or other actions by the IRS or the Treasury Department as discussed under “Distributions and Taxes.”

 

24


Risks Associated With Derivatives

Certain Funds may, but are not required to, use various derivatives and related investment strategies as described in this SAI. Derivatives may be used for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or income generation. Any or all of the investment techniques previously described herein may be used at any time and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as the use of any derivative by a Fund is a function of numerous variables, including market conditions. Although the Advisor seeks to use derivatives to further a Fund’s investment objective, no assurance can be given that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Derivatives utilized by a Fund may involve the purchase and sale of derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial instrument, the value of which depends upon (or derives from) the value of another asset, security, interest rate or index. Derivatives may relate to a wide variety of underlying instruments, including equity and debt securities, indexes, interest rates, currencies and other assets. Certain derivative instruments which a Fund may use and the risks of those instruments are described in further detail below. A Fund may in the future also utilize derivatives techniques, instruments and strategies that may be newly developed or permitted as a result of regulatory changes, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. Such newly developed techniques, instruments and strategies may involve risks different than or in addition to those described herein. No assurance can be given that any derivatives strategy employed by a Fund will be successful.

The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments underlying such derivatives. Derivatives are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from other portfolio investments. The use of derivative instruments requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself. Certain risk factors generally applicable to derivative transactions are described below.

 

    Derivatives are subject to the risk that the market value of the derivative itself or the market value of underlying instruments will change in a way adverse to a Fund’s interests. A Fund bears the risk that the Advisor may incorrectly forecast future market trends and other financial or economic factors or the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate or currency when establishing a derivatives position for the Fund.

 

    Derivatives may be subject to pricing or “basis” risk, which exists when a derivative becomes extraordinarily expensive (or inexpensive) relative to historical prices or corresponding instruments. Under such market conditions, it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.

 

    Many derivatives are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a Fund.

 

    Using derivatives as a hedge against a portfolio investment subjects a Fund to the risk that the derivative will have imperfect correlation with the portfolio investment, which could result in the Fund incurring substantial losses. This correlation risk may be greater in the case of derivatives based on an index or other basket of securities, as the portfolio securities being hedged may not duplicate the components of the underlying index or the basket may not be of exactly the same type of obligation as those underlying the derivative. The use of derivatives for “cross hedging” purposes (using a derivative based on one instrument as a hedge on a different instrument) may also involve greater correlation risks.

 

    While using derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce a Fund’s risk of loss, it may also limit the Fund’s opportunity for gains or result in losses by offsetting or limiting the Fund’s ability to participate in favorable price movements in portfolio investments.

 

    Derivatives transactions for non-hedging purposes involve greater risks and may result in losses which would not be offset by increases in the value of portfolio securities or declines in the cost of securities to be acquired. In the event that a Fund enters into a derivatives transaction as an alternative to purchasing or selling the underlying instrument or in order to obtain desired exposure to an index or market, the Fund will be exposed to the same risks as are incurred in purchasing or selling the underlying instruments directly.

 

    The use of certain derivatives transaction involves the risk of loss resulting from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the other party to the contract (i.e., the counterparty) or the failure by the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. In the event of default by a counterparty, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreement related to the transaction.

 

    Liquidity risk exists when a particular derivative is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, a Fund may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.

 

   

Certain derivatives transactions are not entered into or traded on exchanges or in markets regulated by the CFTC or the SEC. Instead, such over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives are entered into directly by the counterparties and may be traded only through financial institutions acting as market makers. OTC derivatives transactions can only be entered into with a willing counterparty that is approved by the Advisor in accordance with guidelines established by the Board. Where no

 

25


 

such counterparty is available, a Fund will be unable to enter into a desired transaction. There also may be greater risk that no liquid secondary market in the trading of OTC derivatives will exist, in which case the liquidity that is afforded to exchange participants will not be available to the Fund as a participant in OTC derivatives transactions. OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the guarantee of an exchange or clearinghouse and as a result a Fund would bear greater risk of default by the counterparties to such transactions.

 

    A Fund may be required to make physical delivery of portfolio securities underlying a derivative in order to close out a derivatives position or to sell portfolio securities at a time or price at which it may be disadvantageous to do so in order to obtain cash to close out or to maintain a derivatives position.

 

    As a result of the structure of certain derivatives, adverse changes in the value of the underlying instrument can result in losses substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.

 

    Certain derivatives may be considered illiquid and therefore subject to a Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities.

 

    Derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States may not be conducted in the same manner as those entered into on U.S. exchanges, and may be subject to different margin, exercise, settlement or expiration procedures. Brokerage commissions, clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on foreign exchanges. Many of the risks of OTC derivatives transactions are also applicable to derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States. Derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States are subject to the risk of governmental action affecting the trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions could be adversely affected by foreign political and economic factors; lesser availability of data on which to make trading decisions; delays on a Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets; and less liquidity than U.S. markets.

 

    Currency derivatives are subject to additional risks. Currency derivatives transactions may be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations. Currency exchange rates may be influenced by factors extrinsic to a country’s economy. There is not systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to foreign currencies. As a result, the available information on which trading in currency derivatives will be based may not be as complete as comparable data for other transactions. Events could occur in the foreign currency market which will not be reflected in currency derivatives until the following day, making it more difficult for a Fund to respond to such events in a timely manner.

Risks Associated With Developing or Emerging Market Countries

Investors should recognize that investing in securities of developing or emerging market countries through investment in the International Funds and U.S. Fixed Income Funds involves certain risks, and considerations, including those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in the United States or other developed countries.

Political and economic structures in many developing or emerging markets countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries. Some of these countries may have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies.

The securities markets of developing or emerging market countries are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States and other developed nations. The limited size of many developing or emerging securities markets and limited trading volume in issuers compared to volume of trading in U.S. securities or securities of issuers in other developed countries could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the quality of the securities. For example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions. Adverse publicity and investors’ perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of portfolio securities, especially in these markets.

In addition, developing or emerging market countries’ exchanges’ and broker-dealers are generally subject to less government and exchange regulation than their counterparts in developed countries. Brokerage commissions, dealer concessions, custodial expenses and other transaction costs may be higher in developing or emerging markets than in developed countries. As a result, Funds investing in developing or emerging market countries have operating expenses that are expected to be higher than other funds investing in more established market regions.

Many of the developing or emerging market countries may be subject to greater degree of economic, political and social instability than is the case in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Western European and certain Asian countries. Such instability may result from, among other things, (i) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions, and (ii) internal insurgencies. Such social, political and economic instability could disrupt the financial markets in which the Funds invest and adversely affect the value of the Funds’ assets.

 

26


In certain developing or emerging market countries governments participate to a significant degree, through ownership or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could have a significant adverse effect on market prices of securities and payment of dividends. In addition, most developing or emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation. Inflation and rapid fluctuation in inflation rates have had and may continue to have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain developing or emerging market countries.

Many developing and emerging market countries are highly dependent on the sale of commodities. The value of various commodities has declined recently, and can be volatile. Commodities markets can affect general economic conditions in those countries as well as specific companies.

Many of the currencies of developing or emerging market countries have experienced devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar, and major devaluations have historically occurred in certain countries. Any devaluations in the currencies in which portfolio securities are denominated will have a detrimental impact on those Funds investing in developing or emerging market countries. Many developing or emerging market countries are experiencing currency exchange problems. Countries have and may in the future impose foreign currency controls and repatriation control.

Risks Associated with Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

The value of an ETN will change as the value of the market benchmark or strategy fluctuates. If, for example, a commodity-linked ETN is purchased, its value will fluctuate because the value of the underlying commodity to which it is linked fluctuates with market conditions. The prices of the market benchmark are determined based on a variety of market and economic factors and may change unpredictably, affecting the value of the underlying benchmark and, consequently, the value of the ETN.

ETNs are fully exposed to any decline in the level of the underlying market benchmark. If the value of the underlying market benchmark decreases, or does not increase by an amount greater than the aggregate investor fee applicable to the ETN, a Fund will receive less than its original investment in the ETN upon maturity or early redemption and could lose up to 100% of the original principal amount. Investors in ETNs do not receive any periodic interest payments.

ETNs are subject to illiquidity risk. The issuer of an ETN may restrict the ETN’s redemption amount or its redemption date. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

Because ETNs are unsecured debt securities, they are subject to risk of default by the issuing bank or other financial institution (i.e., counterparty risk). In addition, the value of an ETN may decline due to downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating despite that there is no change in the underlying market benchmark.

ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Funds characterize and treat ETNs’ for tax purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress are considering proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from ETNs.

Risks Associated With Fund of Funds

The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund is a “fund of funds.” Achieving the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund’s investment objectives will depend entirely on the performance of the Underlying Funds to which the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund’s investments are allocated, which depends on the particular securities in which the Underlying Funds invest. Therefore, the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund is subject to all risks associated with the Underlying Funds. Because the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund’s performance depends on that of each Underlying Fund, performance may be subject to increased volatility. Additionally, operating expenses incurred annually by each Underlying Fund are borne indirectly by shareholders of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund directly bears its annual operating expenses and, indirectly, bears the annual operating expenses of the Underlying Funds in proportion to their allocations.

The Advisor allocates the assets of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund among the Underlying Funds based upon a number of factors, including the Advisor’s asset allocation strategies and the investment performance of each Underlying Fund. In making investment decisions for the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund, the Advisor will consider, among other factors, internally generated research. Because certain Underlying Funds are more profitable to the Advisor than others, the Advisor may have an incentive to allocate more of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund’s assets to more profitable Underlying Funds. The Advisor does not, however, consider the profitability of the Underlying Funds in making investment decisions for the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund.

 

27


The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may invest in the Underlying Funds as disclosed in the Prospectus. The Advisor may modify the asset allocation strategy for the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund and modify the selection of Underlying Funds for the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund from time to time without shareholder approval if it believes that doing so would better enable the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund to pursue its investment goals.

Risks Associated With Futures Contracts and Options on Futures

There are certain risks inherent in the use of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. Successful use of futures contracts by a Fund is subject to the ability of the Advisor to correctly predict movements in the direction of interest rates or changes in market conditions. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a correlation between price movements in the underlying securities, currencies or index and the price movements in the securities which are the subject of the hedge.

Positions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange or board of trade on which they were entered into, and there can be no assurance that an active market will exist for a particular contract or option at any particular time. If a Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates or a decrease in the value of portfolio securities and interest rates fall or the value of portfolio securities increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of securities that it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. These sales of securities may, but will not necessarily, be at increased prices that reflect the decline in interest rates. While utilization of futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be advantageous to a Fund, if the Fund is not successful in employing such instruments in managing the Fund’s investments, the Fund’s performance will be worse than if the Fund did not make such investments.

Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on open futures positions. In such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, a Fund may be required to take or make delivery of the instruments underlying interest rate futures contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options and futures positions could also have an adverse impact on a Fund’s ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.

Futures contracts and options thereon which are purchased or sold on foreign commodities exchanges may have greater price volatility than their U.S. counterparts. Furthermore, foreign commodities exchanges may be less regulated and under less governmental scrutiny than U.S. exchanges. Brokerage commissions, clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on foreign exchanges. Greater margin requirements may limit a Fund’s ability to enter into certain commodity transactions on foreign exchanges. Moreover, differences in clearance and delivery requirements on foreign exchanges may occasion delays in the settlement of a Fund’s transactions effected on foreign exchanges.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which a Fund engages in transactions in futures or options thereon, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option purchased by a Fund, the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the option. Transactions are entered into by a Fund only with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Advisor.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for futures contracts and related options in which a Fund may invest. In the event a liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible to close out a futures position, and in the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In addition, limitations imposed by an exchange or board of trade on which futures contracts are traded may compel or prevent a Fund from closing out a contract which may result in reduced gain or increased loss to the Fund. The absence of a liquid market in futures contracts might cause a Fund to make or take delivery of the underlying securities (currencies) at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to a Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to a Fund notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not result in a loss, as in the instance where there is no movement in the prices of the futures contract or underlying securities (currencies).

Options on foreign currency futures contracts may involve certain additional risks. Trading options on foreign currency futures contracts is relatively new. The ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. To reduce this risk, a Fund will not purchase or write options on foreign currency futures contracts unless and until, in the Advisor’s opinion, the market for such options has developed sufficiently that the risks in connection with such options are not greater than the risks in connection with transactions in the underlying foreign currency futures contracts.

 

28


Risks Associated With Lower Rated Securities

All Funds (except the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund) may invest in convertible securities. A portion of the convertible securities acquired by the Funds may be rated below investment grade. The TCW Core Fixed Income Fund, TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund, TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund, TCW High Yield Bond Fund, TCW Short Term Bond Fund, TCW Total Return Bond Fund and TCW Global Bond Fund will invest in below investment grade securities. Securities rated below investment grade are commonly known as “junk bonds” and have speculative characteristics.

High yield securities or “junk bonds” can be classified into two categories: (a) securities issued without an investment grade rating and (b) securities whose credit ratings have been downgraded below investment grade because of declining investment fundamentals. The first category includes securities issued by “emerging credit” companies and companies which have experienced a leveraged buyout or recapitalization. Although the small and medium size companies that constitute emerging credit issuers typically have significant operating histories, these companies generally do not have strong enough operating results to secure investment grade ratings from the rating agencies. In addition, in recent years there has been a substantial volume of high yield securities issued by companies that have converted from public to private ownership through leveraged buyout transactions and by companies that have restructured their balance sheets through leveraged recapitalizations. High yield securities issued in these situations are used primarily to pay existing stockholders for their shares or to finance special dividend distributions to shareholders. The indebtedness incurred in connection with these transactions is often substantial and, as a result, often produces highly leveraged capital structures which present special risks for the holders of such securities. Also, the market price of such securities may be more volatile to the extent that expected benefits from the restructuring do not materialize. The second category of high yield securities consists of securities of former investment grade companies that have experienced poor operating performance due to such factors as cyclical downtrends in their industry, poor management or increased foreign competition.

Generally, lower-rated debt securities provide a higher yield than higher-rated debt securities of similar maturity but are subject to greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-rated securities of similar maturity. They are generally considered to be subject to greater risk than securities with higher ratings particularly in the event of a deterioration of general economic conditions. The lower ratings of the high yield securities which the Funds will purchase reflect a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuers, or adverse changes in general economic conditions, or both, may impair the ability of the issuers to make payments of principal and interest. The market value of a single lower-rated debt security may fluctuate more than the market value of higher-rated securities, since changes in the creditworthiness of lower-rated issuers and in market perceptions of the issuers’ creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than in the case of higher-rated issuers. High yield debt securities also tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than higher-rated securities. The securities in which the Funds invest are frequently subordinated to senior indebtedness.

The economy and interest rates affect high yield securities differently from other securities. The prices of high yield bonds have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals, and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a bond owned by a Fund defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and changes can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices of high yield bonds and a Fund’s asset value. Furthermore, the market prices of high yield bonds structured as zero coupon or pay-in-kind securities are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes and thereby tend to be more volatile than securities which pay interest periodically and in cash.

To the extent there is a limited retail secondary market for particular high yield bonds, these bonds may be thinly-traded and a Fund may lose value on its investments in high yield bonds or receive an inaccurate valuation because there is less reliable, objective data available. In addition, a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of the bonds may be negatively-impacted. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield bonds, especially in a thinly-traded market. To the extent a Fund owns or may acquire illiquid or restricted high yield bonds, these securities may involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities and costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties.

Special tax considerations are associated with investing in lower rated debt securities structured as zero coupon or pay-in-kind securities. The Funds accrue income on these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. A Fund must distribute substantially all of its income to its shareholders to qualify for pass-through treatment under the tax laws and may, therefore, have to dispose of its portfolio securities to satisfy distribution requirements.

Additionally, investments in debt obligations that are at risk of default or in default present tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues must be addressed by a Fund to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.

 

29


Underwriting and dealer spreads associated with the purchase of lower rated bonds are typically higher than those associated with the purchase of high grade bonds.

Risks Associated With Mortgage-Backed Securities

Credit and Market Risks of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Investments in fixed rate and floating rate mortgage-backed securities will entail normal credit risks (i.e., the risk of non-payment of interest and principal) and market risks (i.e., the risk that interest rates and other factors will cause the value of the instrument to decline). Many issuers or servicers of mortgage-backed securities guarantee timely payment of interest and principal on the securities, whether or not payments are made when due on the underlying mortgages. This kind of guarantee generally increases the quality of a security, but does not mean that the security’s market value and yield will not change. Like other bond investments, the value of fixed rate mortgage-backed securities will tend to rise when interest rates fall, and fall when rates rise. Floating rate mortgage-backed securities will generally tend to have minimal changes in price when interest rates rise or fall. The value of all mortgage-backed securities may also change because of changes in the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the organization that issued or guarantees them. In addition, the mortgage-backed securities market in general may be adversely affected by changes in governmental legislation or regulation. Fluctuations in the market value of mortgage-backed securities after their acquisition usually do not affect cash income from such securities but are reflected in each Fund’s net asset value. The liquidity of mortgage-backed securities varies by type of security; at certain times a Fund may encounter difficulty in disposing of investments. Other factors that could affect the value of a mortgage-backed security include, among other things, the types and amounts of insurance which a mortgagor carries, the amount of time the mortgage loan has been outstanding, the loan-to-value ratio of each mortgage and the amount of overcollateralization of a mortgage pool.

Prepayment and Redemption Risk of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities reflect an interest in monthly payments made by the borrowers who receive the underlying mortgage loans. Although the underlying mortgage loans are for specified periods of time, such as 20 or 30 years, the borrowers can, and typically do, pay them off sooner. In such an event, the mortgage-backed security which represents an interest in such underlying mortgage loan will be prepaid. A borrower is more likely to prepay a mortgage which bears a relatively high rate of interest. This means that in times of declining interest rates, a portion of a Fund’s higher yielding securities are likely to be redeemed and the Fund will probably be unable to replace them with securities having as great a yield. Prepayments can result in lower yields to shareholders. The increased likelihood of prepayments when interest rates decline also limits market price appreciation of mortgage-backed securities. In addition, a mortgage-backed security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer. If a mortgage-backed security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). There are certain risks associated specifically with CMOs. CMOs issued by private entities are not obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and are not guaranteed by any government agency, although the securities underlying a CMO may be subject to a guarantee. Therefore, if the collateral securing the CMO, as well as any third party credit support or guarantees, is insufficient to make payment, the holder could sustain a loss. In addition, the average life of CMOs is determined using mathematical models that incorporate prepayment assumptions and other factors that involve estimates of future economic and market conditions. These estimates may vary from actual future results, particularly during periods of extreme market volatility. Further, under certain market conditions, such as those that occurred in 1994 and 2008, the average weighted life of certain CMOs may not accurately reflect the price volatility of such securities. For example, in periods of supply and demands imbalances in the market for such securities and/or in periods of sharp interest rate movements, the prices of CMOs may fluctuate to a greater extent than would be expected from interest rate movements alone.

Stripped Mortgage Securities. These investments are highly sensitive to changes in interest and prepayment rates and tend to be less liquid than other CMOs.

Inverse Floaters. Inverse floaters are a class of CMOs with a coupon rate that resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which it is indexed such as LIBOR or COFI. Any rise in the index rate (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate of an inverse floater. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market prices.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (“ARMs”). ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, certain ARMs provide for additional limitations on the minimum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on an ARM, any such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly

 

30


payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess is utilized to reduce the then outstanding principal balance of the ARM.

Temporary Defensive Positions

The Advisor may temporarily invest up to 100% of a Fund’s assets in high quality short-term money market instruments if it believes adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, such as excessive volatility or sharp market declines, justify taking a defensive investment posture. If a Fund attempts to limit investment risk by temporarily taking a defensive investment position, it may be unable to pursue its investment objective during that time, and it may miss out on some or all of an upswing in the securities markets.

INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING

The SEC has issued an exemptive order permitting the Funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other, as well as other funds managed by the Advisor and Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor. A Fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the cost of bank loans, and will lend through the program only when the returns are higher than those available from an investment in overnight repurchase agreements. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day’s notice. In addition, a Fund may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the Fund’s investment restrictions, policies, limitations and organizational documents. A borrowing Fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment of an interfund borrowing to a lending Fund could result in lost investment opportunities or additional borrowing costs. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing and periodically reviewing the interfund lending program.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

A Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is, in summary, the percentage computed by dividing the lesser of the Fund’s purchases or sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) by the average market value of that Fund. The Advisor intends to manage each Fund’s assets by buying and selling securities to help attain its investment objective. This may result in increases or decreases in a Fund’s current income available for distribution to its shareholders. While none of the Funds is managed with the intent of generating short-term capital gains, each of the Funds may dispose of investments (including money market instruments) regardless of the holding period if, in the opinion of the Advisor, an issuer’s creditworthiness or perceived changes in a company’s growth prospects or asset value make selling them advisable. Such an investment decision may result in capital gains or losses and could result in a high portfolio turnover rate during a given period, resulting in increased transaction costs related to equity securities. Disposing of debt securities in these circumstances should not increase direct transaction costs since debt securities are normally traded on a principal basis without brokerage commissions. However, such transactions do involve a mark-up or markdown of the price.

The portfolio turnover rates of the Funds cannot be accurately predicted. Nevertheless, the annual portfolio turnover rates of certain of the Funds are generally not expected to exceed 100%. A 100% portfolio turnover rate would occur, for example, if all the securities in a Fund’s investment portfolio were replaced once in a period of one year. In addition, many of the Funds are Underlying Funds of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund, and changes to the target allocations of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may result in the transfer of assets from one Underlying Fund to another. These changes, as well as changes in managers and investment personnel and reorganizations of the Underlying Funds, may result in the sale of portfolio securities, which may increase trading costs and the portfolio turnover and trigger negative tax consequences for the affected Underlying Funds. Each Fund’s portfolio turnover rates (rounded to a whole number) for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 are shown in the table below. Variations in turnover rate may be due to market conditions, fluctuating volume of shareholder purchases and redemptions or changes in the Advisor’s investment outlook.

 

     Turnover Rate  
U.S. Equity Funds    2016      2015  

TCW Focused Equities Fund

     48%        83%  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund1

     N/A        N/A  

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

     69%        24%  

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

     93%        89%  

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

     74%2        N/A  

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

     19%        18%  

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

     15%        22%  

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

     18%        23%  

TCW Select Equities Fund

     14%        27%  

 

31


     Turnover Rate  
U.S. Fixed Income Funds              

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

     283%        333%  

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

     2%        11%  

TCW Global Bond Fund

     117%        147%  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

     244%        196%  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

     46%        9%  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

     318%        288%  

International Funds

     

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

     155%        54%3  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

     215%        173%  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

     209%        250%  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

     228%        146%  

TCW International Growth Fund

     140%        223%  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

     129%        244%  

Asset Allocation Fund

     

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

     38%        30%  

 

1  No information is presented for the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund as it has not commenced operations as of the date of the relevant fiscal year end.
2  For the period January 29, 2016 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2016 and is not indicative of a full year’s operating results.
3  For the period June 30, 2015 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2015 and is not indicative of a full year’s operating results.

The following Funds experienced significant variations in their portfolio turnover rates over the most recent two fiscal years.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the portfolio turnover rate for TCW Global Real Estate Fund increased to 69%. This was due principally to portfolio repositioning due to rising interest rates and the outcome of the U.S. election.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the portfolio turnover rate for TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund increased to 115%. This was due principally to the Fund experiencing a full year of trading operations and increased volatility in 2016.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the portfolio turnover rate for TCW International Growth Fund decreased to 140%. This was due principally to the result of a restructuring of the portfolio following a portfolio manager change.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the portfolio turnover rate for TCW International Small Cap Fund increased to 129%. This was due principally to the result of a restructuring of the portfolio following a portfolio manager change.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

The Advisor is responsible for the placement of the Funds’ portfolio transactions and the negotiation of prices and commissions, if any, with respect to such transactions. Debt, convertible and unlisted equity securities are generally purchased from a primary market maker acting as principal on a net basis without a stated commission but at prices generally reflecting a dealer spread. Listed equity securities are normally purchased through brokers in transactions executed on securities exchanges involving negotiated commissions. Debt, convertible and equity securities are also purchased in underwritten offerings at fixed prices which include discounts to underwriters and/or concessions to dealers. In placing a portfolio transaction, the Advisor seeks to obtain the best execution for the Funds, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer spread or commission, if any), size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities.

Consistent with its policy of securing best execution, in selecting broker-dealers and negotiating any commissions or prices involved in Fund transactions, the Advisor considers the range and quality of the professional services provided by such firms. Brokerage services include the ability to most effectively execute large orders without adversely impacting markets and positioning securities in order to enable the Advisor to effect orderly purchases or sales for a Fund. Accordingly, transactions will not always be executed at the lowest available commission. In addition, the Advisor may effect transactions which cause a Fund to pay a commission in excess of a commission which another broker-dealer would have charged if the Advisor first determines that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer. In some cases, research is provided directly by an executing broker-dealer and in other cases, research may be provided by third party research providers such as a non-executing third party broker-dealer or other third party research service. Research services furnished by an executing broker-dealer or third party research provider may be used in providing services for any or all of the clients of the Advisor, as well as clients of affiliated companies, and may be used in connection with accounts other than those which pay commissions to the broker-dealers providing the research services.

 

32


The Advisor maintains internal allocation procedures to identify those direct research providers who provide it with research services and endeavors to place sufficient transactions with them to ensure the continued receipt of research services the Advisor believes are useful. The Advisor’s procedures also seek to compensate third party research providers that provide it with research by directing executing broker-dealers to cause payments to be made to third party research providers, either through cash payments from the executing broker or through the use of step out transactions. A “step out transaction” is a securities trade executed by the executing broker-dealer, but settled by the non-executing research broker-dealer permitting the non-executing research broker-dealer to share in the commission. The determination of the broker-dealers to whom commissions are directed generally is made using a system involving the Advisor’s Director of U.S. Equity Research, the Funds’ portfolio managers, and the Advisor’s analysts and is periodically reviewed by the Advisor’s trading committee. The Advisor’s Director of U.S. Equity Research coordinates the evaluation of broker-dealer research services in most instances, taking into account the views of the Advisor’s portfolio managers and analysts.

Research services include such items as reports on industries and companies, economic analyses, review of business conditions and portfolio strategy, analytic computer software, account performance services and various trading and/or quotation equipment. They also include advice from broker-dealers as to the value of securities and availability of securities, availability of buyers, and availability of sellers. In addition, they include recommendations as to purchase and sale of individual securities and timing of transactions. Sometimes the Advisor receives products or services from broker-dealers that are used for both research services and other purposes, such as corporate administration or marketing (“mixed-use products or services”). The Advisor makes a good faith effort to determine the relative proportions of mixed-use products or services that may be attributable to research services. The portion attributable to research services may be paid through the allocation of brokerage commissions, and the Advisor pays the non-research services in cash.

Debt and convertible securities are generally purchased from the issuer or a primary market maker acting as principal on a net basis with no brokerage commission paid by the client. Such securities, as well as equity securities, may also be purchased from underwriters at prices which include underwriting fees.

In an effort to achieve efficiencies in execution and reduce trading costs, the Advisor and its affiliates frequently (though not always) execute securities transactions on behalf of a number of accounts, which may include one or more of the Funds, at the same time, generally referred to as “block trades.” When executing block trades, securities are allocated using procedures that the Advisor considers fair and equitable. Allocation guidelines have been established for the Advisor’s Trading Department to follow in making allocation determinations. In some cases, various forms of pro-rata allocation are used and, in other cases, random allocation processes are used. Participation of an account in the allocation is based on considerations such as lot size, account size, diversification requirements and investment objectives, restrictions, time horizon, availability of cash, existing or targeted account weightings in particular securities, the amount of existing holdings (or substitutes) of the security in the account, and, when relevant, directed brokerage. In connection with certain purchase or sale programs, and in other circumstances if practicable, if multiple trades for a specific security are made with the same broker in a single day, those securities are allocated to accounts based on a weighted average purchase or sale price.

In determining whether accounts are eligible to participate in any type of initial public offering, the Advisor considers such factors as lot size, account size, diversification requirements and investment objectives, restrictions, time horizon, availability of cash, existing or targeted account weightings in particular securities, and the amount of existing holdings (or substitutes) of the security in the account. For initial public offerings of equities, the Advisor generally shares allocations in a pro rata fashion based upon assets under management for those accounts eligible to participate in the initial public offering. For equity offerings, an exception may be made when the allocation is so small that it may create transaction costs that diminish the benefit of the trade or it would be unreasonably minimal relative to the size of the account. The Advisor will use its best judgment to make a fair and equitable allocation, which may include, among other things, consideration of allocating to underperforming accounts or accounts where smaller lot sizes would be reasonable.

To the extent permitted by law and in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors, the Funds may engage in brokerage transactions with brokers that are affiliates of the Advisor. The Funds have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that commissions or other remuneration paid to affiliated brokers of the Advisor do not exceed the usual and customary broker’s commission. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund will not incur any commissions or sales charges when it invests in the Underlying Funds.

The following table sets forth the aggregate brokerage commissions paid on transactions in the Funds’ securities and the amounts of brokerage commission paid to broker-dealers for research services by each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014.

 

33


     2016  
     Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions Paid on
Transactions in
the Funds’ Securities
     Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions Paid
for Research
Services Provided
 

U.S. Equity Funds

     

TCW Focused Equities Fund

   $ 5,290      $ 4,134  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund5

     N/A        N/A  

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

     6,494        4,951  

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

     22,049        17,618  

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund4

     7,284        4,788  

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

     469,886        428,870  

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

     398,773        332,501  

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

     110,554        95,461  

TCW Select Equities Fund

     389,119        301,306  

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

     

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

     1,862,146        0  

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

     69,991        0  

TCW Global Bond Fund

     9,654        0  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

     158,930        0  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

     2,271        0  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

     6,879,915        0  

Asset Allocation Fund

     

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

     1,397        1,377  

International Funds

     

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

     29,932        8,052  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

     16,363,180        14,577  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

     895,855        0  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

     296,043        132,717  

TCW International Growth Fund

     14,753        13,109  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

     44,191        41,036  

 

     2015  
     Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions Paid on
Transactions in
the Funds’ Securities
     Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions Paid
for Research
Services Provided
 

U.S. Equity Funds

     

TCW Focused Equities Fund

   $ 12,607      $ 9,147  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund5

     N/A        N/A  

TCW Global Real Estate Fund1

     9,396        5,083  

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund1

     15,076        11,104  

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund2

     0        11,104  

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

     686,306        520,964  

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

     442,408        359,935  

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

     144,762        103,353  

TCW Select Equities Fund

     610,398        419,699  

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

     

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

     458        0  

 

34


TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

     0        0  

TCW Global Bond Fund

     0        0  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

     400        0  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

     0        0  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

     23,542        0  

Asset Allocation Fund

     

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

     2,151        1,744  

International Funds

     

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund3

     25,031        20,029  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

     51,951        0  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

     0        0  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

     219,582        140,250  

TCW International Growth Fund

     29,891        16,737  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

     259,164        156,016  

 

     2014  
     Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions Paid on
Transactions in
the Funds’ Securities
     Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions Paid
for Research
Services Provided
 

U.S. Equity Funds

     

TCW Focused Equities Fund

   $ 5,440      $ 5,272  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund5

     N/A        N/A  

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

     N/A        N/A  

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

     N/A        N/A  

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

     N/A        N/A  

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

     462,631        445,967  

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

     318,677        301,079  

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

     145,633        137,662  

TCW Select Equities Fund

     441,492        404,249  

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

     

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

     998,976        0  

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

     1,025        0  

TCW Global Bond Fund

     0        0  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

     140,762        0  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

     20,333        0  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

     4,470,813        0  

Asset Allocation Fund

     

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

     251        224  

International Funds

     

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

     N/A        N/A  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

     21,623,936        0  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

     1,295,096        0  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

     271,401        231,168  

TCW International Growth Fund

     38,900        38,845  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

     326,884        325,362  

 

1  For the period November 28, 2014 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2015.
2  The Fund commenced operations on January 29, 2016.
3  For the period June 30, 2015 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2015.
4 For the period January 29, 2016 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2016.
5 No information is presented for the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund as it has not commenced operations as of the date of the relevant fiscal year end.

 

35


The following table shows the value of the aggregate holdings of securities by issuers of the Funds’ “regular brokers or dealers” (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) as of October 31, 2016:

 

Fund Name

 

  

Broker/Dealer

 

  

Dollar Amount of
Securities Held as of
October 31, 2016

 

 

U.S. Equity Funds

     

TCW Focused Equities Fund

   Wells Fargo Securities, LLC      $417,081  
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      244,834  
   Goldman Sachs & Co.      282,510  
   State Street Bank and Trust Company      65,451  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund2

   N/A      N/A  

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $66,011  

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

   Bank of America Corp.      $310,849  
   State Street Bank and Trust Company      887,614  
   Wells Fargo Securities, LLC      196,923  

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund1

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $365,598  

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $29,256,585  
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      40,739,009  
   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      32,296,465  

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $12,441,691  
   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      16,765,065  
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      19,376,039  

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $218,096  

TCW Select Equities Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $31,989,148  

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

     

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $311,028  
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      63,394,637  
   Bank of America Corp.      32,558,329  
   Wells Fargo Securities, LLC      41,556,361  
   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      19,202,657  
   Goldman Sachs & Co.      10,648,105  
   Credit Suisse Group      5,824,208  
   HSBC      1,985,422  
   Nomura Securities Co. Ltd.      15,774,696  
   UBS Securities      3,315,341  

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      $47,148  
   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      81,382  
   State Street Bank and Trust Company      22,118  

 

36


TCW Global Bond Fund

   Bank of America Corp.      $418,923  
   State Street Bank and Trust Company      20,443  
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      271,125  
   Barclays Capital, Inc.      113,379  
   Goldman Sachs & Co.      115,769  
   Wells Fargo Securities, LLC      135,023  
   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      50,594  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      $361,389  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      $135,289  
   State Street Bank and Trust Company      4,687  
   Bank of America Corp.      109,216  
   Wells Fargo Securities, LLC      79,495  
   Credit Suisse Group      131,607  
   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      35,072  
   Goldman Sachs & Co.      76,682  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      $255,411,867  
   Barclays Capital, Inc.      122,038,789  
   Bank of America Corp.      145,779,595  
   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      35,424,889  
   Wells Fargo Securities, LLC      83,787,779  
   State Street Bank and Trust Company      200,139  
   Goldman Sachs & Co.      38,772,657  
   Credit Suisse Group      27,276,261  
   Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.      11,182,427  
   Nomura Securities International, Inc.      67,721,227  

International Funds

     

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $80,038  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $219,745,353  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $25,163,561  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset
Opportunities Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $104,446  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $131,682  

TCW International Growth Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company      $12,787  

 

1  For the period January 29, 2016 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2016.
2  No information is presented for the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund as it has not commenced operations as of the date of the fiscal year end.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Each Fund is subject to fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and limitations. A fundamental policy affecting a particular Fund may not be changed without the vote of “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of a Fund means the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting of shareholders, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Non-fundamental policies may be changed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at any time.

 

37


Investment Restrictions for all Funds except the TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund, TCW Global Bond Fund, TCW International Growth Fund, TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund, TCW Global Real Estate Fund, TCW High Dividend Equities Fund and TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

The investment restrictions numbered 1 through 9 below have been adopted as fundamental policies (except as otherwise provided in 1), and the investment restrictions numbered 10 through 13 have been adopted as non-fundamental policies.

1. No Fund will borrow money, except that (a) a Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes including the meeting of redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities; (b) the TCW Core Fixed Income, TCW Short Term Bond, TCW Total Return Bond Funds may each enter into reverse repurchase agreements; (c) the TCW Core Fixed Income, TCW Short Term Bond and TCW Total Return Bond Funds may utilize mortgage-dollar rolls; and (d) each Fund may enter into futures contracts for hedging purposes subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph 8 below. The total amount borrowed by a Fund (including, for this purpose, reverse repurchase agreements and mortgage dollar rolls) at any time will not exceed 30% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at market less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. As an operating policy, whenever borrowings pursuant to (a) exceed 5% of the value of a Fund’s total assets, the Fund will not purchase any securities.

2. No Fund will issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act, provided that the Funds may (a) enter into repurchase agreements; (b) purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchase or sell financial futures contracts or options thereon; and (d) borrow money in accordance with the restrictions described in paragraph 1 above.

3. No Fund will underwrite securities of other companies, except insofar as the Fund might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.

4. No Fund will purchase any securities that would cause 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of any one particular industry or group of industries, provided that this limitation shall not apply to any Fund’s purchase of U.S. Government Securities. The TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund and TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund may invest more than 25% of the value of their total assets in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the governments of emerging markets countries. In determining industry classifications for foreign issuers, each Fund will use reasonable classifications that are not so broad that the primary economic characteristics of the companies in a single class are materially different. Each Fund will determine such classifications of foreign issuers based on the issuer’s principal or major business activities. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may invest, in accordance with its investment program as set forth in the prospectus, more than 25% of its assets in any one or a combination of Underlying Funds and other investment companies. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund treats the assets of the Underlying Funds in which it invests as its own for purposes of this restriction.

5. No Fund will invest in real estate, real estate mortgage loans, residual interests in REMICs, oil, gas and other mineral leases (including other universal exploration or development programs), or real estate limited partnerships, except that a Fund may purchase securities backed by real estate or interests therein, or issued by companies, including real estate investment trusts, which invest in real estate or interests therein and except that the TCW Core Fixed Income, TCW Short Term Bond and TCW Total Return Bond Funds are not prohibited from investing in real estate mortgage loans.

6. No Fund may make loans of cash except by purchasing qualified debt obligations or entering into repurchase agreements.

7. Each Fund may effect short sales of securities or maintain a short position only if the Fund at the time of sale either owns or has the right to acquire at no additional cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to those sold.

8. No Fund will invest in commodities or commodities contracts, except that the Funds may enter into futures contracts or purchase related options thereon if, immediately thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid for premiums for unexpired options on futures contracts does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, after taking into account unrealized gains and unrealized losses on such contracts it has entered into, provided, however, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money (the exercise price of the call (put) option is less (more) than the market price of the underlying security) at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%. The 5% limit does not apply to the TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income and TCW International Small Cap Funds. The entry into foreign currency forward contracts shall not be deemed to involve investing in commodities.

9. For each of the TCW Focused Equities, TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation, TCW Relative Value Large Cap, TCW Relative Value Mid Cap, TCW Select Equities, TCW Emerging Markets Income, TCW Core Fixed Income, TCW High Yield Bond, TCW Short Term Bond and TCW Total Return Bond Funds, no Fund will, with respect to 75 percent of its assets, (a) purchase the securities of any issuer, other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other investment companies if as a result more than five percent of the value of the Funds’ total assets would be invested in the securities of the issuer; or, (b) purchase more than 10 percent of the voting securities of any one issuer other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other investment companies.

 

38


10. No Fund will purchase securities on margin, except that a Fund may obtain any short-term credits necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of securities. For purposes of this restriction, the deposit or payment of initial or variation margin in connection with futures contracts and related options will not be deemed to be a purchase of securities on margin.

11. No Fund will purchase the securities of an issuer for the purpose of acquiring control or management thereof.

12. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may invest in short-term instruments, U.S. Government Securities, money market instruments, unaffiliated investment companies, and other securities in addition to securities of other affiliated investment companies, for temporary defensive purposes or otherwise as deemed advisable by the Advisor to the extent permissible under existing or future rules of the SEC.

13. Underlying Funds may not invest in securities of other investment companies in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act, or any successor provisions.

The percentage limitations contained in the restrictions listed above apply, with the exception of (1), at the time of purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does not require elimination of any security from the Fund.

For purposes of applying the terms of investment restriction number 4, the Advisor will, on behalf of each Fund, make reasonable determinations as to the appropriate industry classification to assign to each issuer of securities in which the Fund invests. As a general matter, an “industry” is considered to be a group of companies whose principal activities, products or services offered give them a similar economic risk profile vis à vis issuers active in other sectors of the economy. The definition of what constitutes a particular “industry” is therefore an evolving one, particularly for issuers in industries or sectors within industries that are new or are undergoing rapid development. Some issuers could reasonably fall within more than one industry category. For example, some companies that sell goods over the internet (including issuers of securities in which a Fund may invest) were initially classified as internet companies, but over time have evolved into the economic risk profiles of retail companies. The Advisor will use its best efforts to assign each issuer to the category which it believes is most appropriate. Additionally, the Funds interpret their policy with respect to concentration in a particular industry to apply to direct investments in the securities of issuers in a particular industry, as determined by the Advisor. The Funds take the position that mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, whether government-issued or privately issued, do not represent interests in any particular “industry” or group of industries, and therefore the 25% concentration restriction noted above does not apply to such securities. Further, the TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund and TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund consider a government of an emerging market country to be an industry.

Notwithstanding the foregoing investment restrictions, the Underlying Funds in which the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund may invest have adopted certain investment restrictions that may be more or less restrictive than those listed above, thereby permitting the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund to engage indirectly in investment strategies that may be prohibited under the investment restrictions listed above.

Investment Restrictions for the TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

The investment restrictions numbered 1 through 6 below have been adopted as fundamental policies (except as otherwise provided in 1), and investment restriction number 7 has been adopted as a non-fundamental policy.

1. The Fund may not issue senior securities or borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. For purposes of this restriction, the entering into of options, short sales, futures, forwards and other investment techniques or derivatives contracts, and collateral and margin arrangements with respect to such transactions, are not deemed to include the borrowing or the issuance of senior securities provided such transactions are “covered” in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors and applicable regulatory guidance.

2. The Fund will not underwrite securities of other companies, except insofar as the Fund might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.

3. The Fund will not purchase any securities that would cause 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of any one particular industry or group of industries, provided that (a) there shall be no limit on the Fund’s purchase of U.S. Government securities; and (b) the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in instruments (such as structured notes) issued by companies in the financial services sectors (which includes the banking, brokerage and insurance industries). In determining industry classifications for foreign issuers, the Fund will use reasonable classifications that are not so broad that the primary economic characteristics of the companies in a single class are materially different. The Fund will determine such classifications of foreign issuers based on the issuer’s principal or major business activities.

4. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, real estate mortgage loans, residual interests in REMICs, oil, gas and other mineral leases (including other universal exploration or development programs), or real estate limited partnerships, except that the Fund may purchase securities backed by real estate or interests therein, or issued by companies, including real estate investment trusts, which invest in real estate or interests therein.

 

39


5. The Fund may not make loans of cash except by purchasing qualified debt obligations or entering into repurchase agreements.

6. The Fund will not purchase the securities of an issuer for the purpose of acquiring control or management thereof.

7. The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction shall not prohibit the Fund, subject to restrictions described in the prospectuses and elsewhere in this SAI, from purchasing or selling commodity-linked derivative instruments, including but not limited to swap agreements and commodity-linked structured noted, options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts with respect to indices or individual commodities, or from investing in securities or other instruments linked to or backed by physical commodities or by indices, subject to compliance with any applicable provisions of the federal securities or commodities laws.

The percentage limitations contained in the restrictions listed above apply at the time of purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does not require elimination of any security from the Fund, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money will be continuously complied with.

For purposes of applying the terms of investment restriction number 3, the Advisor will, on behalf of the Fund, make reasonable determinations as to the appropriate industry classification to assign to each issuer of securities in which the Fund invests. As a general matter, an “industry” is considered to be a group of companies whose principal activities, products or services offered give them a similar economic risk profile vis à vis issuers active in other sectors of the economy. The definition of what constitutes a particular “industry” is therefore an evolving one, particularly for issuers in industries or categories within industries that are new or are undergoing rapid development. Some issuers could reasonably fall within more than one industry category. For example, some companies that sell goods over the internet (including issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest) were initially classified as internet companies, but over time have evolved into the economic risk profiles of retail companies. The Advisor will use its best efforts to assign each issuer to the category which it believes is most appropriate.

For purposes of investment restriction number 3, the Fund will look through each swap agreement (other than credit default swap agreements) to the reference issuers that constitute the swap agreement’s reference investment, as if the Fund had invested directly in those issuers in the same proportion to which each issue contributes to the reference investment.

Investment Restrictions for the TCW Global Bond Fund

The investment restrictions numbered 1 through 6 below have been adopted as fundamental policies (except as otherwise provided in 1), and investment restriction number 7 has been adopted as a non-fundamental policy.

1. The Fund may not issue senior securities or borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. For purposes of this restriction, the entering into of options, short sales, futures, forwards and other investment techniques or derivatives contracts, and collateral and margin arrangements with respect to such transactions, are not deemed to include the borrowing or the issuance of senior securities provided such transactions are “covered” in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors and applicable regulatory guidance.

2. The Fund will not underwrite securities of other companies, except insofar as the Fund might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.

3. The Fund will not purchase any securities that would cause 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of any one particular industry or group of industries, provided that (a) there shall be no limit on the Fund’s purchase of U.S. Government securities or securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments; and (b) the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in instruments (such as structured notes) issued by companies in the financial services sectors (which includes the banking, brokerage and insurance industries). In determining industry classifications for foreign issuers, the Fund will use reasonable classifications that are not so broad that the primary economic characteristics of the companies in a single class are materially different. The Fund will determine such classifications of foreign issuers based on the issuer’s principal or major business activities.

4. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, real estate mortgage loans, residual interests in REMICs, oil, gas and other mineral leases (including other universal exploration or development programs), or real estate limited partnerships, except that the Fund may purchase securities backed by real estate or interests therein, or issued by companies, including real estate investment trusts, which invest in real estate or interests therein.

5. The Fund may not make loans of cash except by purchasing qualified debt obligations or entering into repurchase agreements.

6. The Fund will not purchase the securities of an issuer for the purpose of acquiring control or management thereof.

7. The Fund may not invest in securities of other investment companies in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act, or any successor provisions.

 

40


The percentage limitations contained in the restrictions listed above apply at the time of purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does not require elimination of any security from the Fund, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money will be continuously complied with.

For purposes of applying the terms of investment restriction number 3, the Advisor will, on behalf of the Fund, make reasonable determinations as to the appropriate industry classification to assign to each issuer of securities in which the Fund invests. As a general matter, an “industry” is considered to be a group of companies whose principal activities, products or services offered give them a similar economic risk profile vis à vis issuers active in other sectors of the economy. The definition of what constitutes a particular “industry” is therefore an evolving one, particularly for issuers in industries or categories within industries that are new or are undergoing rapid development. Some issuers could reasonably fall within more than one industry category. For example, some companies that sell goods over the internet (including issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest) were initially classified as internet companies, but over time have evolved into the economic risk profiles of retail companies. The Advisor will use its best efforts to assign each issuer to the category which it believes is most appropriate. Additionally, the Fund interprets its policy with respect to concentration in a particular industry to apply to direct investments in the securities of issuers in a particular industry, as determined by the Advisor. The Fund takes the position that mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, whether government-issued or privately issued, do not represent interests in any particular “industry” or group of industries, and therefore the 25% concentration restriction noted above does not apply to such securities. Further, the Fund considers a foreign government to be an industry.

For purposes of investment restriction number 3, the Fund will look through each swap agreement (other than credit default swap agreements) to the reference issuers that constitute the swap agreement’s reference investment, as if the Fund had invested directly in those issuers in the same proportion to which each issue contributes to the reference investment.

Investment Restrictions for the TCW International Growth Fund, TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund, TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund, TCW Global Real Estate Fund, TCW High Dividend Equities Fund, TCW New America Premier Equities Fund and TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

The investment restrictions numbered 1 through 6 below have been adopted as fundamental policies, and the investment restrictions numbered 7 through 9 have been adopted as non-fundamental policies.

1. No Fund may borrow money or issue any senior security except as permitted under, or to the extent not prohibited by, the 1940 Act, and rules thereunder, and as interpreted, modified, or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

2. No Fund may underwrite securities of other companies, except insofar as the Fund might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.

3. Except as noted below, no Fund may purchase any securities that would cause 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of any one particular industry or group of industries, provided that (a) this limitation shall not apply to the Fund’s purchase of U.S. Government Securities, or to the TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund and TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund’s purchase of securities issued or guaranteed by the governments of emerging markets countries; (b) the TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities and instruments (such as structured notes) issued by companies in the financial services sector (which includes, without limitation, the banking, brokerage and insurance industries); (c) the TCW Global Real Estate Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in the real estate industry; and (d) the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in various technology industries.

4. No Fund may purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, although it may purchase or sell securities or instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or representing interests in real estate, and may make, purchase or sell real estate mortgage loans, or purchase or sell securities or instruments issued by issuers which invest, deal or otherwise engage in real estate or interests therein.

5. No Fund may make loans except as permitted under, or to the extent not prohibited by, the 1940 Act, and rules thereunder, and as interpreted, modified, or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

41


6. Each Fund may invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund. This restriction shall not prohibit a Fund from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities or purchasing, selling or entering into futures contracts, options on futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency options, interest rate or securities-related or foreign currency-related hedging instruments, swap agreements or other derivative instruments, subject to compliance with any applicable provisions of the federal securities or commodities laws.

7. Each Fund may effect short sales of securities or maintain a short position only if a Fund at the time of sale either owns or has the right to acquire at no additional cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to those sold. Investment restriction 7 does not apply to TCW Global Real Estate Fund and TCW High Dividend Equities Fund.

8. Except for TCW Global Real Estate Fund and TCW High Dividend Equities Fund, no Fund may purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but it may make margin deposits in connection with covered transactions in options, futures and options on futures. For purposes of this restriction, the posting of margin deposits or other forms of collateral in connection with swap agreements is not considered purchasing securities on margin.

9. No Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act, or any successor provisions.

Unless otherwise indicated all percentage limitations listed above apply to each Fund only at the time at which a transaction is entered into. Accordingly, except with respect to borrowing or hypothecating assets of each Fund, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage which results from a relative change in values or from a change in the Fund’s net assets will not be considered a violation.

For purposes of applying the terms of investment restriction number 3, the Advisor will, on behalf of each Fund, make reasonable determinations as to the appropriate industry classification to assign to each issuer of securities in which the Fund invests. As a general matter, an “industry” is considered to be a group of companies whose principal activities, products or services offered give them a similar economic risk profile vis à vis issuers active in other sectors of the economy. The definition of what constitutes a particular “industry” is therefore an evolving one, particularly for issuers in industries or sectors within industries that are new or are undergoing rapid development. Some issuers could reasonably fall within more than one industry category. For example, some companies that sell goods over the internet (including issuers of securities in which a Fund may invest) were initially classified as internet companies, but over time have evolved into the economic risk profiles of retail companies. The Advisor will use its best efforts to assign each issuer to the category which it believes is most appropriate. Additionally, each Fund interprets its policy with respect to concentration in a particular industry to apply to direct investments in the securities of issuers in a particular industry, as determined by the Advisor. Each Fund takes the position that mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, whether government-issued or privately issued, do not represent interests in any particular “industry,” and therefore the 25% concentration restriction noted above does not apply to such securities. Further, the TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund and TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund consider a government of an emerging market country to be an industry.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Management Information

The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Funds’ affairs. The Board of Directors currently consists of nine Directors, seven of whom are not “interested persons” of the Corporation (the “Independent Directors”) and two of whom are “interested persons” of the Corporation (the “Interested Director”), as defined in the 1940 Act. Detailed information about the Directors and officers of the Corporation, including their names, addresses, ages and principal occupations for the last five years, is set forth in the table below. “Fund Complex” refers to the Corporation (consisting of 22 portfolios), TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (“TSI”) (consisting of 1 portfolio), Metropolitan West Funds (consisting of 9 portfolios), and TCW Alternative Funds (consisting of 7 portfolios).

 

Name and Year of

Birth (1)

  

Term of Office and Length of
Time Served(3)

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Other Directorships

Held by Director

   Number of Portfolios in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Director

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Samuel P. Bell (1936)    Mr. Bell has served as a director of TCW Funds, Inc. since October 2002.    Private investor.    Point 360 (post production services).    23

John A. Gavin

(1931)

   Mr. Gavin has served as a director of TCW Funds, Inc. since May 2001.    Founder and Chairman (since 1968), Gamma Holdings (international capital consulting firm).    Hotchkis and Wiley Funds (mutual fund with 5 portfolios).    23

 

42


Name and Year of

Birth (1)

  

Term of Office and Length of
Time Served(3)

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Other Directorships

Held by Director

  

Number of Portfolios in
Fund Complex Overseen

by Director

Patrick C. Haden (1953)

Chairman of the Board

   Mr. Haden has served as a director of TCW Funds, Inc. since May 2001.    Senior Advisor to President (since July 2016) and Athletic Director (August 2010 – June 2016), University of Southern California    Tetra Tech, Inc. (environmental consulting); The Rose Hills Foundation (charitable foundation); Unihealth Foundation (charitable foundation); Fletcher Jones Foundation (charitable foundation); Mayr Foundation (charitable foundation); First Beverage (beverage consulting); Auto Club (affiliate of AAA).    39
Peter McMillan (1957)    Mr. McMillan has served as a director of TCW Funds, Inc. since August 2010.    Co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer (since May 2013), Temescal Canyon Partners (investment advisory firm); Co-founder and Executive Vice President (since 2005), KBS Capital Advisors (a manager of real estate investment trusts); Co-founder and Managing Partner (since 2000), Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC (investment advisory firm).    KBS Real Estate Investment Trusts (real estate investments); KBS Strategic Opportunity REITs (real estate investments).    39
Charles A. Parker (1934)    Mr. Parker has served as a director of the TCW Funds, Inc. since April 2003.    Private investor.    Burridge Center for Research in Security Prices (University of Colorado).    23
Victoria B. Rogers (1961)    Ms. Rogers has served as a director of the TCW Funds, Inc. since October 2011.    President (since 1996), the Rose Hills Foundation (charitable foundation).    Causeway Capital Management Trust (mutual fund with 6 portfolios).    23
Andrew Tarica (1959)    Mr. Tarica has served as a director of the TCW Funds, Inc. since March 2012.    Employee (since 2015), Cowen & Co, previously Concept Capital Markets, LLC (since 2005) (broker-dealer); Chief Executive Officer (since February 2001), Meadowbrook Capital Management (asset management company).    None.    39

 

43


Name, Year of Birth and
Position(s) with the

Funds (1)

   Term of Office and Length of
Time Served(3)
  

Principal Occupation(s)(2)

During Past 5 Years

  

Other Directorships

Held by Director

   Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen by Director

INTERESTED DIRECTORS

David S. DeVito (1962)

President and Chief Executive Officer

   Mr. DeVito has served as a director of TCW Funds, Inc. since January 2014 and as its President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2014.    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (since January 2016), TCW LLC; President and Chief Executive Officer (since    None.    23
      2015), TCW Alternative Funds; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (since October 2013), TCW Investment Management Company LLC, The TCW Group, Inc., Trust Company of the West (2013 – December 2015), Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC, and TCW Asset Management Company LLC; President and Chief Executive Officer (since January 2014), TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Executive Vice President and Treasurer (since 2010), Metropolitan West Funds.      
Marc I. Stern
(1944)
   Mr. Stern has served as a director of TCW Funds, Inc. since its inception in September 1992.    Chairman (since January 2016), TCW LLC; Chairman (since February 2013), The TCW Group, Inc., TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC and Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC; Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (December 2009 -- February 2013), TCW Investment Management Company LLC; Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (December 2009 -- August 2012), The TCW Group, Inc. (December 2009 -- February 2013) and (December 2009 -- February 2013) TCW Asset Management Company LLC; Vice Chairman and President (November 2010 -- February 2013); Vice Chairman (November 2010 -- December 2014); and Chairman (2014 -- December 2015), Trust Company of the West.    Qualcomm Incorporated (wireless communications).    22

 

44


Name, Year of Birth and
Position(s) with the

Funds (1)

   Position(s) Held with TCW Funds, Inc.   

Principal Occupation(s)(2)

During Past 5 Years

  

Other Directorships

Held by Director

   Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen by Director

OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS

Lisa Eisen

(1963)

Tax Officer

   Ms. Eisen has served as Tax Officer of TCW Funds, Inc. since December 2016.    Tax Officer (since December 2016), Metropolitan West Funds, TCW Alternative Funds and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Managing Director and Director of Tax (since August 2016), TCW LLC; Vice President of Corporate Tax and Payroll for Health Net, Inc. (1988- July 2016).    N/A    N/A

Meredith S. Jackson (1959)

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   Ms. Jackson has served as Senior Vice President since January 2016 and General Counsel and Secretary of TCW Funds, Inc. since February 2013.    Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since January 2016), TCW LLC; Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since 2015), TCW Alternative Funds; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since February 2013), TCW Investment Management Company LLC, The TCW Group Inc., Trust Company of the West (2013 – December 2015), TCW Asset Management Company LLC and Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC; Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since February 2013), TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. and Metropolitan West Funds; Partner and Chair of the Debt Finance Practice Group (1999 – January 2013), Irell & Manella (law firm).    N/A    N/A

Jeffrey A. Engelsman

(1967)

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Officer

   Mr. Engelsman has served as Chief Compliance Officer of TCW Funds, Inc. since September 2014 and AML Officer of TCW Funds, Inc. since December 2016.    AML Officer (since December 2016) , TCW Alternative Funds, Metropolitan West Funds, and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Managing Director and Global Chief Compliance Officer (since January 2016), TCW LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (since 2014), Metropolitan West Funds and TCW    N/A    N/A

 

45


      Alternative Funds; Managing Director, Global Chief Compliance Officer (since August 2014), Metropolitan West Asset Management Company, LLC, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, Trust Company of the West (2014 – December 2015) and TCW Asset Management Company LLC; Global Chief Compliance Officer (since September 2014), The TCW Group, Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer (since September 2014), TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer (2009 – August 2014), MainStay Funds (mutual fund); Managing Director (2009 – July 2014), New York Life Investments (investment management).      

Richard M. Villa (1964)

Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

   Mr. Villa has served as Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of TCW Funds, Inc. since February 2014.    Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (since January 2016), TCW LLC; Treasurer (since 2015), TCW Alternative Funds; Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer (since February 2014), TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (since July 2008), TCW Investment Management Company LLC, the TCW Group, Inc., Trust Company of the West (2008 – December 2015), TCW Asset Management Company LLC, and Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC.    N/A    N/A

 

(1)  The address of each Independent Director is c/o Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, Counsel to the Independent Directors of TCW Funds, Inc., 300 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The address of each Interested Director and each officer is c/o The TCW Group, Inc., 865 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
(2)  Positions with The TCW Group, Inc. and its affiliates may have changed over time.
(3) 

On December 12, 2016, members of the Board of Directors recognized the value of having a retirement policy and that having such a policy would be consistent with best practices in the mutual fund industry. For that reason, the Board adopted the following retirement policy (the “Policy”): A member of the Board shall be required to retire from the Board (and any committee(s) of the Board on which he or she serves) no later than the first regular quarterly meeting of the Board next held after that Board member reaches his or her 75th birthday; provided, however,

 

46


that the affected Board member may continue to serve as a member of the Board (and member of committee(s) of the Board) for one or more successive one-year periods, or such shorter extension periods, as shall be approved by a unanimous secret vote of the other members of the Board then serving. Any member of the Board who has already reached his or her 75th birthday at the time of adoption of the Policy shall be automatically granted a two-year extension term, subject to any prior resignation or removal as a member of the Board before the expiration of that two-year term. Any continuation of that Board member’s service beyond that two-year extension would be subject to the vote requirement previously specified above.

Thomas E. Larkin, Jr. retired from the Board effective February 6, 2013 and was subsequently appointed Director Emeritus by the Board of Directors.

In addition, George N. Winn, Senior Vice President of Trust Company of the West (February 2005 – December 2015), TCW Asset Management Company LLC, Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC, TCW LLC and the Advisor, is Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of TCW Alternative Funds and Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation and Patrick W. Dennis, Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Trust Company of the West (February 2013 – December 2015), TCW Asset Management Company LLC, Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC, TCW LLC and the Advisor, is Vice President and Assistant Secretary of TCW Alternative Funds and Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

Leadership Structure

The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall management of the Corporation, including general supervision of the duties performed by the Advisor and other service providers in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, other applicable laws and the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. The Board of Directors meets in regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year. It is currently composed of nine Directors, including seven Independent Directors. As discussed below, the Board of Directors has established three committees to assist the Board of Directors in performing its oversight responsibilities.

The Board of Directors has appointed an Independent Director to serve as its Chairman. The Chairman’s primary role is to set the agenda of the Board of Directors and determine what information is provided to the Board of Directors with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board of Directors. The Chairman presides at all meetings of the Board of Directors and leads the Board of Directors through its various tasks. The Chairman also acts as a liaison with management in carrying out the Board of Directors’ functions. The Chairman also performs such other functions as may be requested by the Board of Directors from time to time. The designation of Chairman does not impose any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations or liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the Board of Directors generally.

Risk Oversight

Through its direct oversight role, and indirectly through its committees, the Board of Directors performs a risk oversight function for the Corporation consisting, among other things, of the following activities:

General Oversight. The Board of Directors regularly meets with, or receives reports from, the officers of the Corporation and representatives of key service providers to the Corporation, including the Advisor, administrator, transfer agent, custodian and independent registered public accounting firm, to review and discuss the operational activities of the Corporation and to provide direction with respect thereto.

Compliance Oversight. The Board of Directors reviews and approves the procedures of the Corporation established to ensure compliance with applicable federal securities laws. The Board of Directors keeps informed about how the Corporation’s operations conform to its compliance procedures through regular meetings with, and reports received from, the Corporation’s Chief Compliance Officer and other officers.

Investment Oversight. The Board of Directors monitors investment performance during the year through regular performance reports from management with references to appropriate performance measurement indices. The Board of Directors also receives focused performance presentations on a regular basis, including special written reports and oral presentations by portfolio managers. In addition, the Board of Directors monitors the Funds’ investment practices and reviews the Funds’ investment strategies with management and receives focused presentations.

Valuation Oversight. The Board of Directors has approved the valuation methodologies used in establishing the daily values of the Funds’ assets and monitors the accuracy with which the valuations are carried out. The Board of Directors receives regular reports on the use of fair value prices and monitors the effectiveness of the Funds’ valuation procedures.

Financial Reporting. Through its Audit Committee, the Board of Directors meets regularly with the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm to discuss financial reporting matters, the adequacy of the Corporation’s internal controls over financial reporting, and risks to accounting and financial reporting matters.

 

47


Committees

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the selection of the independent auditors and reviews with the auditors the results of the annual audit, including the scope of auditing procedures, the adequacy of internal controls and compliance by the Corporation with the accounting, recording and financial reporting requirements of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee also reviews compliance with the Code of Ethics by the executive officers, directors and investment personnel of the Advisor. The Audit Committee consist of Ms. Rogers and Messrs. Bell, Gavin, Haden, McMillan, Parker and Tarica. Each Audit Committee member is an Independent Director. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the Audit Committee held four meetings.

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee has the same powers of the Board of Directors except the power to declare dividends or other stock distributions, elect directors, authorize the issuance of stock except as permitted by statute, recommend to the shareholders any action requiring their approval, amend the By-Laws or approve any merger or share exchange not requiring shareholder approval. The Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Bell, Haden and Stern. Messrs. Bell and Haden are Independent Directors, and Mr. Stern is an Interested Director. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the Executive Committee held no meetings.

Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding nominations for membership on the Board of Directors. It evaluates candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and, with respect to nominees for positions as Independent Directors, their independence from the Advisor and other principal service providers of the Corporation. The Nominating Committee periodically reviews director compensation and recommends any appropriate changes to the Board. The Nominating Committee also reviews, and may make recommendations to the Board of Directors relating thereto, issues that pertain to the effectiveness of the Board in carrying out its responsibilities of overseeing the management of the Corporation. The Nominating Committee consists of Ms. Rogers and Messrs. Bell, Gavin, Haden, McMillan, Parker and Tarica. Each Nominating Committee member is an Independent Director. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the Nominating Committee held two meetings.

The Nominating Committee will consider potential director candidates recommended by shareholders provided that the proposed candidates satisfy the director qualification requirements provided in the Corporation’s Directors Nominating Committee Charter and are not “interested persons” of the Corporation within the meaning of the 1940 Act. In determining procedures for the submission of potential candidates by shareholders and any eligibility requirements for such nominees and for the shareholders submitting the nominations, the Nominating Committee has looked to recent SEC promulgations regarding director nominations for guidance.

Additional Information About the Directors

The Corporation seeks as Directors individuals of distinction and experience in business or finance, government service or academia. In determining that a particular person was and continues to be qualified to serve as a Director, the Board of Directors has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. Based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Director, including those described below, the Board has determined that each of the current Directors is qualified to serve as a Director of the Corporation. In addition, the Board of Directors believes that, collectively, the Directors have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that allow the Board of Directors to operate effectively in governing the Corporation and protecting the interests of shareholders.

Samuel P. Bell. Mr. Bell, Chairman of the Audit Committee, is a private investor and serves on the boards of Post 360, a post production services company, and TSI. He previously was President of Los Angeles Business Advisors, a not-for-profit business organization. Prior to 1996, Mr. Bell served as the Area Managing Partner of Ernst & Young, a public accounting firm, for the Pacific Southwest Area.

David S. DeVito. Mr. DeVito is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Advisor, TCW Asset Management Company LLC, Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC and TCW LLC, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Metropolitan West Funds, and is President and Executive Officer of TSI. He also serves on the boards of several philanthropic organizations, including the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and Loyola High School of Los Angeles. Prior to joining TCW in 1993, Mr. DeVito was a Certified Public Accountant and Senior Manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs.

John A. Gavin. Mr. Gavin, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, is founder and Chairman of Gamma Holdings, an international capital consulting firm and serves on the boards of the Hotchkis and Wiley Funds, a mutual fund complex, and TSI. From 1981 to 1986, Mr. Gavin served as the United States Ambassador to Mexico.

Patrick C. Haden. Mr. Haden, the Independent Chairman of the Board of Directors, is the Senior Advisor to the President of the University of Southern California. He also serves on the board of directors of The Rose Hills Foundation, a foundation that makes grants to qualified charitable organizations, Unihealth Foundation, a private grant making foundation, Tetra Tech, Inc., an

 

48


environmental consulting company, Fletcher Jones Foundation, a charitable foundation, Mayr Foundation, a charitable foundation, First Beverage, a beverage consulting firm, Auto Club, an affiliate of AAA, the Metropolitan West Funds, TCW Alternative Funds and TSI (he also serves as the Independent Chairman of the board of directors of TSI). Previously he was a General Partner in Riordan, Lewis & Haden, a private equity fund. Mr. Haden is a Rhodes Scholar and prior to August 2010, a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Southern California.

Peter McMillan. Mr. McMillan is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC, an investment advisory firm, co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Temescal Canyon Partners, an investment advisory firm, and Co-founder and Executive Vice President of KBS Capital Advisors, a manager of real estate investment trusts. He serves on the boards of five KBS real estate investment trusts, TSI, TCW Alternative Funds and the Metropolitan West Funds. Prior to forming Willowbrook Capital Group in 2000, Mr. McMillan served as the executive vice president and chief investment officer of Sun America Investments, Inc. Prior to 1989, he served as assistant vice president for Aetna Life Insurance for Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company with responsibility for the company’s fixed income portfolios.

Charles A. Parker. Mr. Parker is a private investor and serves on the boards of the Burridge Center for Research in Security Prices, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado and TSI. Previously, Mr. Parker was an executive vice president and director of the Continental Corporation and chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Asset Management Corporation.

Victoria B. Rogers. Ms. Rogers is President of The Rose Hills Foundation. She also serves on the boards of trustees of Polytechnic School, Norton Simon Museum, USA Water Polo, Stanford University, TSI, and Causeway Capital Management Trust, a mutual fund complex. Previously, Ms. Rogers served on the Boards of Trustees of The Chandler School, The Hotchkiss School and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in the area of taxes, accounting, non-profit organizations and foundation management, having been previously employed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, Security Pacific Bank and The Whittier Trust Company.

Marc I. Stern. Mr. Stern is Chairman of The TCW Group, Inc., TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC, and Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC. He also serves on the board of Qualcomm Inc. Prior to joining TCW in 1990, Mr. Stern was President of Sun America, Inc. He also serves on the boards of several philanthropic and civic organizations and universities, including the Los Angeles Opera, the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, the Marc and Eva Stern Foundation, Dickenson College and the California Institute of Technology. Mr. Stern was appointed as a “Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Mérite” by the President of France.

Andrew Tarica. Since 2001, Mr. Tarica has been Chief Executive Officer of Meadowbrook Capital Management, a fixed-income asset management company that also manages a fixed income hedge fund. From 2005 through 2010, Mr. Tarica served as an employee of the broker-dealer business of Sanders Morris Harris, a Houston, Texas-based asset manager and broker-dealer, where he managed a fixed-income portfolio. Sanders Morris Harris’ broker-dealer business became Concept Capital Markets, LLC in 2010. In September 2015, Concept Capital Markets, LLC was purchased by Cowen & Co, where Mr. Tarica is currently employed. He also serves on the boards of the Metropolitan West Funds, TSI and TCW Alternative Funds.

Equity Ownership of Directors

Independent Directors

The following tables set forth the equity ownership of the Directors, as of December 31, 2016, in each Fund and in all registered investment companies overseen by the Directors in the same family of investment companies as the Funds, which as of December 31, 2016 included the Funds, TSI, Metropolitan West Funds and TCW Alternative Funds. The codes for the dollar ranges of equity securities owned by the Directors are: (a) $1-$10,000, (b) $10,001-$50,000, (c) $50,001-$100,000; and (d) over $100,000.

 

Name of Director

  

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Corporation(1)

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in All

Registered Investment Companies Overseen by

Director in Family of Investment Companies(1)

Samuel P. Bell

   TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund    (b)    (d)
   TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund    (c)   
   TCW Select Equities Fund    (c)   
   TCW Total Return Bond Fund    (b)   

John A. Gavin

   TCW Select Equities Fund    (d)    (d)

Patrick C. Haden        

   TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund    (c)    (d)
   TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund    (d)   

 

49


Name of Director

  

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Corporation(1)

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in All

Registered Investment Companies Overseen by

Director in Family of Investment Companies(1)

   TCW High Dividend Equities Fund    (d)   
   TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund    (d)   
   TCW Select Equities Fund    (d)   
   TCW Total Return Bond Fund    (c)   

Janet E. Kerr(2)

   TCW Short Term Bond Fund    (b)    (c)
   TCW Total Return Bond Fund    (a)   

Peter McMillan

   TCW Select Equities Fund    (d)    (d)

Charles A. Parker        

   TCW Short Term Bond Fund    (d)    (d)
   TCW Total Return Bond Fund    (b)   

Victoria B. Rogers

   TCW High Yield Bond Fund    (d)    (d)

Andrew Tarica

   TCW Core Fixed Income Fund    (c)    (d)
   TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund    (b)   
   TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund    (b)   
   TCW Global Bond Fund    (b)   
   TCW High Yield Bond Fund    (c)   
   TCW Short Term Bond Fund    (c)   
   TCW Total Return Bond Fund    (b)   

 

(1)  Certain figures represent and include the Directors’ economic exposure to the Funds through the deferred compensation plan. See below under “Compensation of Independent Directors” for additional details.
(2)  Effective March 4, 2016, the Board of Directors of TFI accepted the resignation of Janet E. Kerr as a Director of TFI.

Interested Directors

 

Name of Director

  

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Corporation

  

    Aggregate Dollar Range of    

Equity Securities in All

Registered Investment

Companies Overseen by

Director in Family of

Investment Companies

David S. DeVito

   TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund    (a)    (b)
   TCW Select Equities Fund    (b)   
   TCW Total Return Bond Fund    (b)   

Marc I. Stern            

   TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency    (d)    (d)
   TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund    (d)   
   TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund    (a)   
   TCW High Yield Bond Fund    (c)   
   TCW International Growth Fund    (b)   
   TCW New America Premier Equities Fund    (d)   
   TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund    (d)   
   TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund    (d)   
   TCW Select Equities Fund    (d)   
   TCW Short Term Bond Fund    (b)   
   TCW Total Return Bond Fund    (d)   

Compensation of Independent Directors

The Corporation pays each Independent Director an annual fee of $78,000 plus a per meeting fee of $10,000 for in person attendance and $2,500 for telephonic attendance for each meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors attended by such Independent Director, with such annual fee and meeting fee to be prorated among the Funds. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $25,600, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $12,800, and the Independent Chairman of the Board of Directors receives an additional annual retainer of $38,400.

 

50


Independent Directors are also reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending meetings of the Board or a committee of the Board. Interested Directors and officers who are employed by the Advisor or an affiliated company thereof receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Corporation. Directors do not receive any pension or retirement benefits as a result of their service as a Director of the Corporation.

The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Independent Directors by the Corporation and the Fund Complex, which consists of TSI, Metropolitan West Funds, TCW Alternative Funds and the Corporation, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016.

 

Name of Independent Director

   Aggregate Compensation
From TCW Funds, Inc.
   Aggregate Compensation
From Fund Complex(1)

Samuel P. Bell

   $110,500    $122,000

John A. Gavin

   $101,500    $125,500

Patrick C. Haden

   $119,500    $291,700

Janet E. Kerr(2)

   $45,000    $51,000

Peter McMillan

   $92,500    $268,300

Charles A. Parker

   $92,500    $104,000

Victoria B. Rogers

   $92,500    $104,000

Andrew Tarica

   $92,500    $290,100

 

(1)  As of October 31, 2016, the Fund Complex consists of 37 registered investment companies.
(2)  Effective March 4, 2016, the Board of Directors of TFI accepted the resignation of Janet E. Kerr as a Director of TFI.

At a meeting held on March 14, 2011, the Board of Directors approved a Deferred Compensation Plan for the Independent Directors. The table below lists the total amount of deferred compensation (including interest) payable to the respective Independent Directors as of October 31, 2016.

 

Name of Independent Director

   Aggregate Deferred
Compensation
From TCW Funds, Inc.

Samuel P. Bell

   $0

John A. Gavin

   $0

Patrick C. Haden

   $0

Janet E. Kerr(1)

   $0

Peter McMillan

   $92,500

Charles A. Parker

   $0

Victoria B. Rogers

   $0

Andrew Tarica

   $92,500

 

(1)  Effective March 4, 2016, the Board of Directors of TFI accepted the resignation of Janet E. Kerr as a Director of TFI.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The Advisor was organized in 1987 as a wholly owned subsidiary of TCW. The Carlyle Group, LP (“Carlyle”), a global alternative asset manager, may be deemed to be a control person of the Advisor by reason of its control of certain investment funds that indirectly control more than 25% of the voting stock of TCW. Carlyle also controls various other pooled investment vehicles and, indirectly, many of the portfolio companies owned by those funds.

The Corporation, on behalf of the Funds, and the Advisor are parties to an Investment Management and Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third party”) beneficiaries of, the Advisory Agreement. Rather, the Corporation and its respective investment series are the sole intended beneficiaries of the Advisory Agreement. Neither this SAI nor the Prospectus is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

Under the Advisory Agreement, subject to the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors, each Fund retains the Advisor, among other things, to manage the investment of its assets, including to evaluate the pertinent economic, statistical, financial and other data and to formulate and implement its investment program; to place orders for the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities and other instruments and investments; and to administer its day-to-day operations.

 

51


The Advisory Agreement also provides that the Advisor will furnish to the Corporation office space at such places as may be agreed upon from time to time and all office facilities, business equipment, supplies, utilities and telephone service necessary for managing the affairs and investments; keep those accounts and records of the Corporation and the Funds that are not maintained by the Funds’ transfer agent, custodian, accounting or sub-accounting agent; and arrange for officers or employees of the Advisor to serve, without compensation from the Corporation, as officers, Directors or employees of the Corporation if desired and reasonably required by the Corporation.

The Advisory Agreement was last approved by the Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors, on September 26, 2016. An amendment to the Advisory Agreement, adding the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund, was approved by the Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors, on June 12, 2017.

For services performed under the Advisory Agreement, each Fund other than the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund pays the Advisor a fee, payable monthly and calculated daily by applying the annual investment advisory fee percent for the Fund to the Fund’s net asset value. The annual management fee (as a percentage of average net assets) for each Fund other than the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund is as follows:

 

U.S. Equity Funds

  

TCW Focused Equities Fund

     0.65

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

     [___ ]% 

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

     0.80

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

     0.65

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

     0.80

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

     0.65

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

     0.65

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

     0.80

TCW Select Equities Fund

     0.75

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

  

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

     0.40

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

     0.50

TCW Global Bond Fund

     0.55

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

     0.45

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

     0.35

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

     0.50

International Funds

  

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

     0.80

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

     0.75

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

     0.75

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

     0.95

TCW International Growth Fund

     0.85

TCW International Small Cap Fund

     0.75

Under the Advisory Agreement, the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund does not pay any amount to the Advisor as compensation for the services rendered, facilities furnished, and expenses paid by it. However, the Advisor serves as investment advisor to the Underlying Funds and is paid a fee by the Underlying Funds for providing such service. Accordingly, shareholders of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund indirectly bear a portion of the fees paid by the Underlying Funds to the Advisor and other service providers as well as the other expenses borne by the Underlying Funds.

The Advisor has agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee or to pay the operating expenses of a Fund to the extent necessary to limit the Fund’s operating expenses to an amount not to exceed the trailing monthly expense ratio average for comparable funds as calculated by Lipper Inc. This expense limitation is voluntary and terminable by either the Advisor or the Board of Directors on six months’ notice. In addition, certain Funds have contractual fee or expense caps, as shown in the table below. The voluntary limitation and the contractual fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement exclude interest, brokerage, extraordinary expenses, and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.

 

U.S. Equity Funds

  

TCW Focused Equities Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.09

N Class Shares

     1.09

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund

  

I Class Shares

     [___ ]% 

 

52


N Class Shares

     [__ ]% 

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.46

N Class Shares

     1.46

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.18

N Class Shares

     1.18

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.04

N Class Shares

     1.04

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.00

N Class Shares

     1.00

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.00

N Class Shares

     1.00

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.16

N Class Shares

     1.16

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

  

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

  

I Class Shares

     0.49

N Class Shares

     0.83

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

  

I Class Shares

     0.70

N Class Shares

     0.75

TCW Global Bond Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.04

N Class Shares

     1.04

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

  

I Class Shares

     0.55

N Class Shares

     0.80

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

  

I Class Shares

     0.44

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

  

I Class Shares

     0.49

N Class Shares

     0.79

International Funds

  

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.25

N Class Shares

     1.25

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

  

I Class Shares

     0.99

N Class Shares

     0.99

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.23

N Class Shares

     1.23

TCW International Growth Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.04

N Class Shares

     1.29

TCW International Small Cap Fund

  

I Class Shares

     1.44

N Class Shares

     1.44

Asset Allocation Fund

  

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

  

I Class Shares

     0.85

N Class Shares

     0.85

 

53


The table below sets forth the investment advisory fee, exclusive of any expense reimbursement, paid by each Fund (except for the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund which has no investment advisory fee) for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

 

Fund    Fiscal Year
Ended 2016
     Fiscal Year
Ended 2015
     Fiscal Year
Ended 2014
 

U.S. Equity Funds

        

TCW Focused Equities Fund

   $ 63,969      $ 84,318      $ 62,585  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund1

     N/A        N/A        N/A  

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

     31,039        16,3462        N/A  

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

     51,792        21,7872        N/A  

TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

     20,0923        N/A        N/A  

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

     7,831,397        8,361,549        8,574,610  

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

     4,550,367        5,343,700        5,242,726  

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

     765,537        1,078,785        1,170,165  

TCW Select Equities Fund

             12,183,228                13,209,283                13,492,533  

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

        

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

     7,138,700        6,378,154        4,789,209  

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund4

     11,566        14,853        21,706  

TCW Global Bond Fund

     88,757        84,462        89,549  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

     133,389        130,819        153,732  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

     29,081        51,244        68,521  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

     49,909,590        43,673,916        38,875,557  

International Funds

        

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

     36,147        13,0735        N/A  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

     21,693,690        32,640,164        39,420,328  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

     1,280,090        1,957,850        1,928,336  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

     377,848        485,684        450,533  

TCW International Growth Fund

     23,559        22,063        22,318  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

     66,344        140,801        239,843  

 

  1 No information is presented for the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund as it has not commenced operations as of the date of the relevant fiscal year end.
  2 For the period November 28, 2014 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2015.
  3 The Fund commenced operations on January 29, 2016.
  4  The reported amounts represent the consolidated payments from the Fund and its subsidiary made to the Advisor.
  5 For the period June 30, 2015 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2015.

In addition to the management fees discussed above, the Corporation and TSI reimburse the Advisor for certain regulatory compliance services pursuant to a written agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the Corporation and TSI reimbursed the Advisor in the amount of $81,250 for the 2016 calendar year. The Corporation’s share was $79,962. This amount is allocated pro rata to each Fund based on management fees paid by each Fund to the Advisor (or in the case of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund, based on the management fees paid by the Underlying Funds to the Advisor for managing the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund’s assets invested in the Underlying Funds). However, the Advisor has waived its reimbursement request since April 2016.

 

54


Except for expenses specifically assumed by the Advisor under the Advisory Agreement, the Corporation bears all expenses of the Corporation and the Funds, including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Independent Directors, broker commissions and other ordinary or extraordinary expenses incurred by the Corporation or the Funds in the course of their business.

The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund, as a shareholder of the Underlying Funds, also indirectly bears its pro rata share of the advisory fees charged to, and other operating expenses of, the Underlying Funds in which it invests. The TCW Conservative Allocation Fund’s expense ratios, as disclosed in the Prospectus, may be higher or lower depending on the allocation of the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund’s assets among the Underlying Funds and the actual expenses of the Underlying Funds.

The Advisory Agreement was approved by each Fund’s shareholders and will continue in effect as to each Fund initially for two years and thereafter from year to year if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the Board of Directors or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (b) the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund without penalty at any time by the Corporation (by the vote of a majority of the Board of Directors or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund) or by the Advisor upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

At an in-person meeting held on September 26, 2016, the Board, including the Independent Directors, re-approved the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Funds (except for the TCW New America Premier Equities Fund) for an additional one year term. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Advisory Agreement for each of those Funds is contained in the Corporation’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016. At an in-person meeting held on December 14, 2015, the Board, including the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement with respect to the TCW New America Premier Equities Fund for an initial term of two years. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Advisory Agreement for the TCW New America Premier Equities Fund is contained in the Corporation’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the six-month period ended April 30, 2016. At an in-person meeting held on June 12, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement with respect to the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund for an initial term of two years. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Advisory Agreement for the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund will be contained in the Corporation’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2017.

The Advisory Agreement also provides that none of the Advisor or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Advisor will be liable or responsible to the Corporation or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment, mistake of law or any loss arising out of any investment, or for any other act or omission in the performance by such person or persons of their respective duties, except for liability resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of their respective duties. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor will also be indemnified by the Corporation as an agent of the Corporation in accordance with the terms of Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

The TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund, through the Subsidiary, seeks exposure to certain commodity-linked instruments. The Subsidiary has entered into a separate advisory agreement with the Advisor for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio (the “Subsidiary Advisory Agreement”), pursuant to which the Subsidiary will pay the Advisor a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays the Advisor for services provided to the Fund. The Advisor has agreed to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to the Advisor by the Subsidiary for the management of the portion of the Fund’s assets invested in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary Advisory Agreement is terminable by either party thereto, without penalty, on 60 days’ prior written notice.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Portfolio Manager Compensation

The overall objective of the Advisor’s compensation program for portfolio managers is to attract experienced and expert investment professionals and to retain them over the long-term. Compensation is comprised of several components which, in the aggregate, are designed to achieve these objectives and to reward the portfolio managers for their contributions to the successful performance of the accounts they manage. Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary, profit sharing based compensation (“profit sharing”), bonus and equity incentive participation in the Advisor’s parent company (“equity incentives”). Profit sharing and equity incentives generally represent most of the portfolio managers’ compensation. In some cases, portfolio managers are eligible for discretionary bonuses.

Salary. Salary is agreed to with portfolio managers at the time of employment and is reviewed from time to time. It does not change significantly and often does not constitute a significant part of a portfolio manager’s compensation.

 

55


Profit Sharing. Profit sharing for investment professionals is based on net income relating to accounts in the investment strategy area for which the investment professionals are responsible. In most cases, revenues are allocated to a pool and profit sharing compensation is allocated among members of the investment team after the deduction of certain expenses (including base salaries) related to the strategy group. The allocations are based on the investment professionals’ contribution to TCW and its clients, including qualitative and quantitative contributions.

The profit sharing percentage used to compensate a portfolio manager for investment services related to a Fund is generally the same as that used to compensate portfolio managers for other client accounts in the same strategy managed by the Advisor or an affiliate of the Advisor (collectively, the “TCW Advisors”). In some cases, the profit sharing pool includes revenues related to more than one product, in which case each participant in the pool is entitled to profit sharing derived from his or her contributions to all the included products.

Investment professionals are not directly compensated for generating performance fees. In some cases, the profit sharing percentage is subject to increase based on the relative pre-tax performance of the investment strategy composite returns, net of fees and expenses, to that of the benchmark. The measurement of performance relative to the benchmark can be based on single year or multiple year metrics, or a combination thereof. The benchmark used is the one associated with the Fund managed by the portfolio manager as disclosed in the prospectus. Benchmarks vary from strategy to strategy but, within a given strategy, the same benchmark applies to all accounts, including the Funds.

Discretionary Bonus/Guaranteed Minimums. Discretionary bonuses may be paid out of an investment team’s profit sharing pool, as determined by the supervisor(s) in the department. In other cases where portfolio managers do not receive profit sharing or where it is determined that the combination of salary and profit sharing does not adequately compensate the portfolio manager, discretionary bonuses may be paid by the applicable TCW Advisor. Also, pursuant to contractual arrangements, some portfolio managers received minimum bonuses.

Equity Incentives. Management believes that equity ownership aligns the interests of portfolio managers with the interests of the firm and its clients. Accordingly, TCW’s key investment professionals participate in equity incentives through ownership or participation in restricted unit plans that vest over time or unit appreciation plans of the Advisor’s parent company. The plans include the Fixed Income Retention Plan, Restricted Unit Plan and 2013 Equity Unit Incentive Plan.

Under the Fixed Income Retention Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income area were awarded cash and/or partnership units in the Advisor’s parent company, either on a contractually-determined basis or on a discretionary basis. Awards under this plan were made in 2010 that vest over time.

Under the Restricted Unit Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas may be awarded partnership units in the Advisor’s parent company. Awards under this plan have vested over time, subject to satisfaction of performance criteria.

Under the 2013 Equity Unit Incentive Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas may be awarded options to acquire partnership units in the Advisor’s parent company with a strike price equal to the fair market value of the option at the date of grant. The options granted under this plan are subject to vesting and other conditions.

Other Plans and Compensation Vehicles. Portfolio managers may also elect to participate in the applicable TCW Advisor’s 401(k) plan, to which they may contribute a portion of their pre- and post-tax compensation to the plan for investment on a tax-deferred basis.

Ownership of Securities and Other Managed Accounts

With respect to the portfolio managers of each Fund (except as disclosed below), the first table sets forth the dollar of securities of such Fund owned by each portfolio manager of such Fund as of October 31, 2016, and the second table sets forth certain information, as of October 31, 2016, regarding other accounts (including such Fund) managed by each portfolio manager of such Fund. Total assets in the second table are in millions. Certain portfolio managers invest in their investment strategy through investment vehicles other than the Funds.

 

56


TCW Focused Equities Fund

 

Portfolio Managers    None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Thomas K. McKissick

   X                  

N. John Snider

               X      

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
  Investment Companies  
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts          Registered
      Investment Companies      
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
       Other Accounts    
   Number
of
  Accounts  
   Total
    Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
  Assets  
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
  Assets  
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
  Assets  
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
  Assets  
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Thomas K. McKissick

   1    $9.8    1    $2.6    10    $35.2    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

N. John Snider

   1    $9.8    1    $2.6    10    $35.2    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund [to be updated]

 

Portfolio Manager    None      $1
to
$10K
     $10K
to
$50K
     $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

Jeffrey W. Lin, CFA1

                    

Thomas Lee1

                    

 

                                               Performance Fee Accounts                
     Registered
  Investment Companies  
     Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
           Other Accounts            Registered
      Investment Companies      
     Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts      
   Number
of
  Accounts  
     Total
    Assets
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
  Assets  
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
  Assets  
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
  Assets  
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
  Assets  
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
 

Jeffrey W. Lin, CFA1

                                   

Thomas Lee1

                                   

 

1 Information as of [            ], 2017.

 

57


TCW Global Real Estate Fund

 

Portfolio Manager    None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Iman Brivanlou

      X               

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
      Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles        
         Other Accounts          Registered
      Investment Companies      
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts      
   Number
of
  Accounts  
   Total
    Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Iman Brivanlou

   2    $16.0    10    $228    12    $963    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

 

Portfolio Manager    None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Iman Brivanlou

      X               

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
      Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts          Registered
      Investment Companies      
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts      
   Number
of
  Accounts  
   Total
    Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Iman Brivanlou

   2    $16.0    10    $228    12    $963    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

 

58


TCW New America Premier Equities Fund

 

Portfolio Manager

   None      $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Joseph R. Shaposhnik

               X      

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
  Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts          Registered
      Investment Companies      
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts      
   Number
of
  Accounts  
   Total
    Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
  Assets  
   Number
of
  Accounts  
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
  Assets  
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Joseph R. Shaposhnik

   1    $4.2    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

 

Portfolio Manager

   None      $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Diane E. Jaffee

               X      

 

     Registered
  Investment Companies  
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
           Other Accounts          Registered
      Investment Companies      
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts      
   Number
of
  Accounts
   Total
    Assets  
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
    Assets    
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
  Assets  
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      

Diane E. Jaffee

   7    $2,033    12    $2,242    47    $1,558    0    $0    1    $334    0    $0

 

59


TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Diane E. Jaffee

               X      

Matthew J. Spahn

                  X   

 

       Performance Fee Accounts            
     Registered
  Investment Companies  
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts          Registered
      Investment Companies      
   Other Pooled
  Investment Vehicles  
         Other Accounts      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      

Diane E. Jaffee

   7    $2,033    12    $2,242    47    $1,558    0    $0    1    $334    0    $0

Matthew J. Spahn

   5    $889    10    $2,243    42    $3,123    0    $0    1    $334    0    $0

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

 

Portfolio Manager

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Diane E. Jaffee

                     X

 

                         Performance Fee Accounts     
     Registered
  Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts          Registered
      Investment Companies      
   Other Pooled
      Investment Vehicles      
         Other Accounts      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
      Assets      

Diane E. Jaffee

   7    $2,033    12    $2,242    47    $1,558    0    $0    1    $334    0    $0

 

60


TCW Select Equities Fund

 

Portfolio Manager

   None      $1
to
$10K
     $10K
to
$50K
     $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill
 

Craig C. Blum

                  X   

 

                              Performance Fee Accounts     
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Craig C. Blum

   3    $1,640    6    $2,612    41    $1,744    0    $0    1    $70    1    $165

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

  

None

    

$1
to
$10K

    

$10K
to
$50K

    

$50K
to
$100K

    

$100K
to
$500K

    

$500K
to
$1 Mill

    

Over
$1 Mill

 

Stephen M. Kane

                 X        

Laird R. Landmann

     X                    

Tad Rivelle

     X                    

Bryan Whalen

     X                    

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Stephen M. Kane

   30    $107,175    25    $8,378    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Laird R. Landmann

   28    $107,182    22    $7,214    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Tad Rivelle

   29    $116,855    22    $7,178    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Bryan Whalen

   26    $116,834    19    $7,142    226    $30,547    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

 

61


TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

Tad Rivelle

            X         

Stephen M. Kane

            X         

Bret R. Barker

   X                  

 

                                             Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Tad Rivelle

   29    $116,855    22    $7,178    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Stephen M. Kane

   30    $107,175    25    $8,378    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Bret R. Barker

   1    $1.2    1    $1.0    2    $2,179    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

TCW Global Bond Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Stephen M. Kane

               X      

Tad Rivelle

   X                  

David I. Robbins

   X                  

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Stephen M. Kane

   30    $107,175    25    $8,378    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Tad Rivelle

   29    $116,855    22    $7,178    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

David I. Robbins

   4    $3,270    6    $737    5    $1,355    0    $0    0    $0    3    $2,278

 

62


TCW High Yield Bond Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$ 10K
     $10K
to
$50K
     $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

James S. Farnham

   X                  

Laird R. Landmann

   X                  

 

                                               Performance Fee Accounts                
     Registered
Investment Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
     Other Accounts      Registered
Investment Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
     Other Accounts  
   Number
of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
     Number
of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
 

James S. Farnham

     3      $ 1,139        2      $ 100        1      $ 44.8        0        $0        0        $0        0        $0  

Laird R. Landmann

     28      $ 107,182        22      $ 7,214        233      $ 31,983        0        $0        23        $1,711        9        $4,781  

TCW Short Term Bond Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
     $10K
to
$50K
     $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

Stephen M. Kane

   X                  

Laird R. Landmann

   X                  

Tad Rivelle

   X                  

Bryan Whalen

   X                  

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Stephen M. Kane

   30    $107,175    25    $8,378    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Laird R. Landmann

   28    $107,182    22    $7,214    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Tad Rivelle

   29    $116,855    22    $7,178    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Bryan Whalen

   26    $116,834    19    $7,142    226    $30,547    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

 

63


TCW Total Return Bond Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Scott Austin1

   X                  

Harrison Choi1

      X               

Mitch Flack

               X      

Tad Rivelle

                     X

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Scott Austin1

   0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

Harrison Choi1

   0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

Mitch Flack

   2    $10,934    7    $2,234    21    $5,913    0    $0    22    $1,570    2    $261

Tad Rivelle

   29    $116,855    22    $7,178    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781
1 Information as of January 31, 2017.

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None      $1
to
$10K
     $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

Ray S. Prasad

               X      

Andrey Glukhov

         X            

 

                              Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Ray S. Prasad

   4    $59.2    0    $0    1    $15.4    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

Andrey Glukhov

   3    $16.9    0    $0    1    $15.4    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

 

64


TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Penelope D. Foley

                     X

David I. Robbins

                     X

Javier Segovia

         X            

 

                              Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Penelope D. Foley

   3    $3,254    6    $737    5    $1,355    0    $0    0    $0    1    $2,278

David I. Robbins

   4    $3,270    6    $737    5    $1,355    0    $0    0    $0    1    $2,278

Javier Segovia

   1    $3,098    1    $186    1    $102    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None      $1
to
$10K
     $10K
to
$50K
     $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

Penelope D. Foley

                       X  

David I. Robbins

                       X  

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Penelope D. Foley

   3    $3,254    6    $737    5    $1,355    0    $0    0    $0    1    $2,278

David I. Robbins

   4    $3,270    6    $737    5    $1,355    0    $0    0    $0    1    $2,278

 

65


TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None      $1
to
$10K
     $10K
to
$50K
     $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill

Penelope D. Foley

                     X

Ray S. Prasad

     X                    

David I. Robbins

                     X

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Penelope D. Foley

   3    $3,254    6    $737    5    $1,355    0    $0    0    $0    1    $2,278

Ray S. Prasad

   4    $59.2    0    $0    1    $15.4    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

David I. Robbins

   4    $3,270    6    $737    5    $1,355    0    $0    0    $0    1    $2,278

TCW International Growth Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

Ray S. Prasad

         X            

Andrey Glukhov

   X                  

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered Investment
Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered Investment
Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Ray S. Prasad

   4    $59.2    0    $0    1    $15.4    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

Andrey Glukhov

   3    $16.9    0    $0    1    $15.4    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

 

66


TCW International Small Cap Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
     $100K
to
$500K
     $500K
to
$1 Mill
     Over
$1 Mill
 

Ray S. Prasad

         X            

Andrey Glukhov

   X                  

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Ray S. Prasad

   4    $59.2    0    $0    1    $15.4    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

Andrey Glukhov

   3    $16.9    0    $0    1    $15.4    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

 

Portfolio Managers

   None    $1
to
$10K
   $10K
to
$50K
   $50K
to
$100K
   $100K
to
$500K
   $500K
to
$1 Mill
   Over
$1 Mill

Jess Ravich

               X      

Adam T. Coppersmith

   X                  

Stephen M. Kane

               X      

Michael P. Reilly

         X            

 

                                   Performance Fee Accounts          
     Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts    Registered
Investment Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other Accounts
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
   Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets

Jess Ravich

   0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

Adam T. Coppersmith

   1    $30    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

Stephen M. Kane

   30    $107,175    25    $8,378    233    $31,983    0    $0    23    $1,711    9    $4,781

Michael P. Reilly

   1    $30    0    $0    5    $118    0    $0    0    $0    0    $0

 

67


Conflicts

Actual or potential conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has management responsibilities to more than one account (including a Fund), such as devotion of unequal time and attention to the management of the accounts, inability to allocate limited investment opportunities across a broad band of accounts and incentive to allocate opportunities to an account where the portfolio manager or TCW has a greater financial incentive, such as a performance fee account, or where an account or fund managed by a portfolio manager has a higher fee sharing percentage than the portfolio manager’s fee sharing percentage with respect to a Fund. When accounts managed by the Advisor (including a Fund) invest in different parts of an issuer’s capital structure (e.g., one account owns equity securities of an issuer while another account owns debt obligations of the same issuer), actual or potential conflicts of interest may also arise with respect to decisions concerning the issuer’s financing, investments or risks, among other issues, as related to the interests of the accounts. TCW has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts, and TCW believes its policies and procedures serve to operate in a manner that is fair and equitable among its clients, including the Funds.

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

TCW Funds Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) 865 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 serves as the non-exclusive distributor of each class of the Funds’ shares pursuant to an Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with the Corporation, which is subject to the annual approval by the Board. Shares of the Funds are offered and sold on a continuous basis. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty with 60 days’ notice, by the Board of Directors, by vote of holders of a majority of the Corporation’s shares, or by the Distributor. The Distributor receives no compensation from the Funds for distribution of the Funds’ shares except payments pursuant to the Corporation’s distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Distribution Plan”) as described below. The Distributor is affiliated with the Advisor.

Each Fund offers two classes of shares: Institutional “I” Class and Investor “N” Class, except for the TCW Short Term Bond Fund, which only offers Class I shares. Class I shares are offered primarily for direct investment by investors and the TCW Conservative Allocation Fund. Class N shares are offered through firms which are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and which have dealer agreements with the Distributor and other financial intermediaries.

Rule 18f-3 Plan

The Corporation has adopted a Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule 18f-3 Plan”). Under the Rule 18f-3 Plan, shares of each class of each Fund represent an equal pro rata interest in such Fund and, generally, have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions, except that: (a) each class has a different designation; (b) each class of shares bears any class-specific expenses allocated to it; and (c) each class has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its distribution or service arrangements, and each class has separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class. In addition, each class may have a differing sales charge structure and differing exchange and conversion features.

Rule 12b-1 Plan

The Corporation has adopted the Distribution Plan with respect to the Class N shares of each Fund. Under the terms of the Distribution Plan, each Fund compensates the Distributor at a rate equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to its Class N shares for distribution and related services, regardless of the distribution related expenses the Distributor incurs. The Distributor makes payments to financial intermediaries under various dealer agreements for distribution and related services, which may include, but are not limited to, the following: providing facilities to answer questions from prospective investors about a Fund; receiving and answering correspondence, including requests for prospectuses and statements of additional information; preparing, printing and delivering prospectuses and shareholder reports to prospective shareholders; complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the sale of Class N shares; and assisting investors in completing application forms and selecting dividend and other account options. Because these fees are paid out of the Funds’ assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investor’s investment and may cost such investor more than paying other sales charges. The Distribution Plan is intended to facilitate the sale of Class N shares.

The following table sets forth the amounts of payments made by the Fund to the Distributor under the Distribution Plan with respect to Class N shares for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016:

 

     Amount  

U.S. Equity Funds

  

TCW Focused Equities Fund

   $             2,840  

TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund1

     N/A  

TCW Global Real Estate Fund

     1,297  

TCW High Dividend Equities Fund

     1,227  

 

68


TCW New America Premier Equities Fund2

     2,002  

TCW Relative Value Dividend Appreciation Fund

     2,197,740  

TCW Relative Value Large Cap Fund

     56,375  

TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund

     43,178  

TCW Select Equities Fund

     515,555  

U.S. Fixed Income Funds

  

TCW Core Fixed Income Fund

     1,305,521  

TCW Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund

     2,614  

TCW Global Bond Fund

     19,109  

TCW High Yield Bond Fund

     22,608  

TCW Total Return Bond Fund

     6,601,401  

Asset Allocation Fund

  

TCW Conservative Allocation Fund

     4,351  

International Funds

  

TCW Developing Markets Equity Fund

     3,125  

TCW Emerging Markets Income Fund

     1,267,865  

TCW Emerging Markets Local Currency Income Fund

     133,822  

TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund

     10,827  

TCW International Growth Fund

     2,817  

TCW International Small Cap Fund

     7,914  

 

1  No information is presented for the TCW Global Artificial Intelligence Equity Fund as it has not commenced operations as of the date of the fiscal year end.
2  For the period January 29, 2016 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2016.

No interested person of the Funds or any Independent Director has any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan except to the extent that the Distributor, the Advisor or certain of their employees may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of the benefits derived from the successful operation of the Distribution Plan. The Funds do not participate in any joint distribution activities with another investment company other than the Metropolitan West Funds.

The Distribution Plan provides that it may not be amended to materially increase the costs which Class N shareholders may bear under the Distribution Plan without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of