GE INVESTMENTS FUNDS, INC.
S&P 500 INDEX FUND
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
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Agreement made as of May 1, 2001, between GE ASSET MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED
("GEAM"), a Delaware corporation, and SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC., a
Massachusetts corporation (the "Sub-Adviser") (the "Agreement").
RECITALS
GEAM has entered into an Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement
dated May 1, 1997 ("Advisory Agreement") with GE Investments Funds, Inc.
("Company"), an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), with respect to the S&P
500 Index Fund ("Fund"), a series of the Company;
Pursuant to Section 2(f) of the Advisory Agreement, GEAM is authorized to
delegate its investment advisory responsibilities to other investment advisers,
subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act; and
GEAM wishes to retain the Sub-Adviser to furnish certain investment
advisory services to GEAM and the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to
furnish those services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment. GEAM hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser as an investment
sub-adviser with respect to the Fund's assets for the period and on the terms
set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts that appointment and agrees
to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. Duties as Sub-Adviser.
(a) Subject to the oversight and supervision of GEAM and the Board of the
Company (the "Board"), the Sub-Adviser will provide a continuous investment
program for the Fund's assets, including investment research and management. The
Sub-Adviser will determine from time to time what investments will be purchased,
retained or sold by the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will be responsible for placing
purchase and sell orders for Fund investments. The Sub-Adviser will consult with
GEAM from time to time regarding matters pertaining to the Fund, including
market strategy and portfolio characteristics. The Sub-Adviser will provide
services under this Agreement in accordance with the Fund's investment
objective, policies and restrictions as stated in the Company's current
Registration Statement on Form N-1A and any amendments or supplements thereto
(the "Registration Statement") and the Company's Declaration of Trust and
By-Laws ("Constituent Documents"). In this connection and in connection with the
further duties set forth in paragraphs 2(b) - (g) below, the Sub-Adviser shall
provide GEAM and the Board with such periodic reports and documentation as GEAM
or the Board shall request regarding the Sub-Adviser's management of the Fund's
assets and compliance with the Registration Statement and all requirements
hereunder.
(b) The Sub-Adviser shall carry out its responsibilities under this
Agreement in compliance with: (1) the Fund's investment objective, policies and
restrictions as set forth in the Registration Statement, (2) the Constituent
Documents, (3) such policies, procedures or directives as the Board may from
time to time establish or issue, (4) the License Agreement by and between
Standard & Poor's and GEAM dated April 30, 1997 (the "License Agreement"), and
(5) applicable law and related regulations. In particular, the Sub-Adviser shall
make every effort to ensure that the Fund complies with Section 817(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and regulations issued thereunder to
the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, and life
insurance contracts and to ensure that the Fund continuously qualifies as a
regulated investment company under sub-chapter M of the Code. GEAM shall
promptly notify the Sub-Adviser of changes to (1), (2), (3) or (4) above and
shall notify the Sub-Adviser of changes to (5) above promptly after it becomes
aware of such changes.
(c) The Sub-Adviser shall take all actions which it considers necessary to
implement the investment objectives and policies of the Fund, and in particular,
to place all orders for the purchase or sale of securities or other investments
for the Fund with brokers or dealers selected by it, and to that end, the
Sub-Adviser is authorized as the agent of the Company to give instructions to
the Company's custodian as to deliveries of securities or other investments and
payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In connection with the selection
of brokers or dealers and the placing of purchase and sale orders with respect
to investments of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to
obtain best execution and price within the policy guidelines determined by the
Board and set forth in the Registration Statement.
In addition to seeking the best price and execution, to the extent covered
by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), the Sub-Adviser is also authorized to take into consideration research
and statistical information and wire and other quotation services provided by
brokers and dealers to the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser is also authorized to
effect individual securities transactions at commission rates in excess of the
minimum commission rates available, if it determines in good faith that such
amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and
research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either
that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser's overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund. The policies with respect to brokerage allocation,
determined from time to time by the Board are those disclosed in the
Registration Statement. The Sub-Adviser will periodically evaluate the
statistical data, research and other investment services provided to it by
brokers and dealers. Such services may be used by the Sub-Adviser in connection
with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or in connection
with other advisory or investment operations including using such information in
managing its own accounts. The Sub-Adviser is also authorized to use soft-dollar
services as requested by the Board from time to time. Whenever the Sub-Adviser
simultaneously places orders to purchase or sell the same security on behalf of
the Fund and one or more other accounts advised by the Sub-Adviser, the orders
will be allocated as to price and amount among all such accounts in a manner
believed to be equitable by the Sub-Adviser to each account.
(d) Subject to: (1) the requirement that the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain
best execution and price within the policy guidelines determined by the Board
and set forth in the Registration Statement, (2) the provisions of the 1940 Act
and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), (3)
the provisions of the 1934 Act, and (4) other applicable provisions of law, the
Sub-Adviser or an affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser or of GEAM may act as
broker for the Fund in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or
other investments for the Fund. Such brokerage services are not within the scope
of the duties of the
Sub-Adviser under this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of applicable law
and any procedures adopted by the Board, the Sub-Adviser or its affiliated
persons may receive brokerage commissions, fees or other remuneration from the
Fund or the Company for such services in addition to the Sub-Adviser's fees for
services under this Agreement.
(e) The Sub-Adviser will maintain all books and records required to be
maintained by the Company pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder with respect to transactions on behalf of the Fund, and
will furnish the Board and GEAM with such periodic and special reports as the
Board or GEAM reasonably may request. In compliance with the requirements of
Rule 3la-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records
which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Company, agrees to
preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any records
which it maintains for the Company and which are required to be maintained by
Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and further agrees to surrender promptly to the
Company any records which it maintains for the Company upon request by the
Company.
(f) At such times as shall reasonably be requested by the Board or GEAM,
the Sub-Adviser will provide the Board and GEAM with economic and investment
analyses and reports as well as quarterly reports setting forth the Fund's
performance and make available to the Board and GEAM any economic, statistical
and investment services normally available to institutional or other customers
of the Sub-Adviser invested in a similar strategy. The Sub-Adviser will make
available its officers and employees to meet with the Board on reasonable notice
to review the Fund's investments.
(g) In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, as amended from
time to time, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for assisting the Board in
determining the fair valuation of any illiquid portfolio securities and will
assist the Company's accounting services agent or GEIM to obtain independent
sources of market value for all other portfolio securities.
3. Further Duties. In all matters relating to the performance of this
Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will act in conformity with the Constituent Documents
and Registration Statement and with the written instructions and directions of
the Board and GEAM and will comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Advisers Act, the rules under each, Subchapter M of the Code as applicable to
regulated investment companies, and the License Agreement. In addition, the
Sub-Adviser will act in conformity with all other applicable federal and state
laws and regulations. GEAM agrees to provide to the Sub-Adviser copies of the
License Agreement, the Constituent Documents, Registration Statement and any
amendments or supplements to any of these materials as soon as practicable after
such materials become available.
4. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will bear
all expenses incurred by it in connection with its investment sub-advisory
services under this Agreement.
5. Compensation.
For the services rendered, the facilities furnished and the expenses
assumed by the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser shall pay the Sub-Adviser no later than
the twentieth (20th) business day following the end of each calendar month a fee
based on the average daily net assets of the Fund at the following annual rates:
0.05% of the first $100,000,000
0.04% of the next $200,000,000
0.03% of amounts in excess of $300,000,000.
The Sub-Adviser's fee shall be paid by GEAM out of GEAM's advisory fee to
the extent such fee is received by GEAM pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. To
the extent that GEAM determines to waive, or to reimburse the Fund for, all or a
portion of its advisory fee, the Sub-Adviser agrees to a reduction of its fee
pro-rata. The Sub-Adviser's fee shall be accrued daily at 1/365th of the
applicable annual rate set forth above. For the purpose of accruing
compensation, the net assets of the Fund shall be determined in the manner and
on the dates set forth in the current prospectus of the Company, and, on dates
on which the net assets are not so determined, the net asset value computation
to be used shall be as determined on the next day on which the net assets shall
have been determined. In the event of termination of this Agreement, all
compensation due through the date of termination will be calculated on a
pro-rated basis through the date of termination and paid within thirty business
days of the date of termination. During any period when the determination of net
asset value is suspended, the net asset value of the Fund as of the last
business day prior to such suspension shall for this purpose be deemed to be the
net asset value at the close of each succeeding business day until it is again
determined.
6. Limitation of Liability. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund, the
Company or its shareholders or by GEAM in connection with the matters to which
this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from
reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sub-Adviser shall be liable for any loss suffered
by the Fund, the Company or its shareholders or by GEAM as a result of any
negligent act or omission by Sub-Adviser to or arising out of the License
Agreement.
7. Indemnification.
(a) GEAM agrees to indemnify the Sub-Adviser, its officers and directors,
and any person who controls the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), for any loss or expense
(including attorneys' fees) arising out of any claim, demand, action or suit in
the event that the Sub-Adviser has been found to be without fault and GEAM has
been found at fault (i) by the final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction or (ii) in any order of settlement of any claim, demand, action or
suit that has been approved by the Board of Directors of GEAM.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify GEAM, its officers and directors,
and any person who controls GEAM within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933
Act for any loss or expense (including attorneys' fees) arising out of any
claim, demand, action or suit in the event that GEAM has been found to be
without fault and the Sub-Adviser has been found at fault (i) by the final
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) in any order of settlement
of any claim, demand, action or suit that has been approved by the Board of
Directors of the Sub-Adviser. In addition to the foregoing, Sub-Adviser agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless GEAM, its officers and directors, and any person
who controls GEAM within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act for any loss
or expense (including attorneys' fees) arising out of any claim, demand, action
or suit as a result of any negligent act or omission by Sub-Adviser relating to
or arising out of the License Agreement.
8. Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser
represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
(a) The Sub-Adviser (i) is registered as an adviser under the Advisers Act
will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in
effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from
performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and will
seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any
other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements
of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in
order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the
authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement
and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement
does not contravene or constitute a default under any agreement binding upon the
Sub-Adviser; (v) will promptly notify GEAM of the occurrence of any event that
would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an
investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise; (vi)
is registered as a Commodity Trading Adviser and Commodity Pool Operator under
the Commodity Exchange Act with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the
National Futures Association; and (vii) is duly organized and validly existing
under the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the power to own and
possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted.
(b) The Sub-Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the
requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and will provide GEAM and the
Board with a copy of that code of ethics, together with evidence of its
adoption. Within fifteen days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each
year that this Agreement is in effect, the president, any vice president or
chief compliance officer of the Sub-Adviser shall certify to GEAM that the
Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 during the previous
year and that there has been no violation of the Sub-Adviser's code of ethics
or, if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in
response to such violation. Upon the written request of GEAM, the Sub-Adviser
shall permit GEAM, its employees or its agents to examine the reports required
to be made to the Sub-Adviser by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and all other records relevant
to the Sub-Adviser's code of ethics.
(c) The Sub-Adviser will notify GEAM of any change of control of the
Sub-Adviser, including any change of its general partners or 25% shareholders,
as applicable, and any changes in the key personnel of the Sub-Adviser,
including in particular portfolio management personnel responsible for the
Fund's assets in each case prior to or promptly after such change.
9. Representations and Warranties of GEAM. GEAM represents, warrants and
agrees that GEAM (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers
Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains
in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from
performing the services contemplated by the Advisory Agreement; (iii) has met,
and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in
effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable
requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to
be met in order to perform the services contemplated by the Advisory Agreement;
(iv) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by
the Advisory Agreement and the execution, delivery and performance by GEAM of
the Advisory Agreement does not contravene or constitute a default under any
agreement binding upon GEAM; (v) will promptly notify the Sub-Adviser of the
occurrence of any event that would disqualify GEAM from serving as an investment
adviser of
an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise;
(vi) has filed a notice of exemption pursuant to Rule 4.14 under the Commodity
Exchange Act with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National
Futures Association, or is not required to file such exemption; and (vii) is
duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of the State of Delaware with
the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now
being conducted.
10. Survival of Representatives and Warranties; Duty to Update Information.
All representations and warranties made by the Sub-Adviser and GEAM pursuant to
Sections 8 and 9, respectively, and shall survive for the duration of this
Agreement and the parties hereto shall promptly notify each other in writing
upon becoming aware that any of the foregoing representations and warranties are
no longer true.
11. Duration and Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective upon the date first above written
and will continue for an initial two-year term and will continue thereafter so
long as the continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the
Board or (b) by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, provided that in either event the
continuance is also approved by a majority of the Board who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) of any party to this Agreement, by vote
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty, by the Board, or by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities, on 60 days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement may
also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by GEAM: (i) upon 60
days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser; (ii) upon material breach by the
Sub-Adviser of any of the representations and warranties set forth in Paragraph
8 of this Agreement; or (iii) if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its
duties and obligations under this Agreement, including circumstances such as
financial insolvency of the Sub-Adviser or other circumstances that could
adversely affect the Fund. The Sub-Adviser may terminate this Agreement at any
time, without the payment of a penalty, on 60 days' written notice to GEAM. This
Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or upon
termination of the Advisory Agreement.
12. Amendment of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought, and no material amendment to the terms of
this Agreement shall be effective until approved by a vote of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding voting securities (unless the Company receives an SEC order
or opinion of counsel permitting it to modify the Agreement without such vote).
13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
1940 Act and the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the
conflicts of laws principles thereof. To the extent that the applicable laws of
the State of New York conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act,
the latter shall control.
14. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any
provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision,
statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be
affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto. As used in this Agreement, the terms "majority of
the outstanding voting securities," "affiliated person," "interested person,"
"assignment," "broker," "investment adviser," "net assets," "sale," "sell" and
"security" shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act,
subject to such exemption as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation
or order. Where the effect of a requirement of the federal securities laws
reflected in any provision of this Agreement is made less restrictive by rule,
regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such
provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or
order. This Agreement may be signed in counterpart.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their duly authorized signatories as of the date and year first
above written.
GE ASSET MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED
By:
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Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Executive Vice President
SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:
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Name:
Title: