MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - EQUITY FINANCIAL COMBUSTION FUND
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - EQUITY FINANCIAL COMBUSTION FUND
TO:
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear Sirs:
Astral Investments Trust (the “Trust”) herewith confirms our agreement with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment company. The Trust currently offers five series of shares to investors called the ASTRAL™ Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Ultra Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Large-Cap Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Mid-Cap Financial Combustion Fund and the ASTRAL™ Small-Cap Financial Combustion Fund.
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the ASTRAL™ Equity Financial Combustion Fund (the “Fund”) and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
1.
ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the Fund’s assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the Board of Trustees may from time to time establish.
2.
USE OF SUB-ADVISERS
You may delegate any or all of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more sub-advisers who shall enter into agreements with you, provided the agreements are approved and ratified (i) by the Board including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required under interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”) by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (unless the Trust has obtained an exemption from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Act). Any such delegation shall not relieve you from any liability hereunder.
3.
ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, including the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Fund; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders’ meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Fund’s shares, excluding expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the Fund.
The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto. The Fund will also pay expenses that it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
4.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
For the first twelve months of operations of the Fund, for all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a fee as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the second month of operations of the Fund, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board of Trustees, if required. If, pursuant to such provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for any particular business day, then for the purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time as the value of the Fund’s net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
5.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - AFTER THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
Effective after twelve months of operations, as compensation for the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a monthly fee, calculated as set forth below. The fee will be payable as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the fourteenth month of operations of the Fund, as compensation for the services rendered and payments made during the preceding month. For purposes of calculating such fee, the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined as provided in the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Agreement.
The fee is comprised of a base fee, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month (the “Base Fee”), that is subject to a performance fee adjustment (the “Fee Adjustment”) that increases or decreases the fee depending on how well the Fund has performed relative to the Dow ▇▇▇▇▇ Wilshire 5000 (full cap) Index (the “Index”) over a performance period. The Fee Adjustment will be calculated using a monthly adjustment rate (the “Performance Adjustment Rate”) that is based upon the Fund’s relative performance.
In determining the Performance Adjustment Rate, if any, applicable during any month, the investment performance of the Fund for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the month (the “Performance Period”) shall be compared to the investment record of the Index during the Performance Period. The investment performance of the Fund will be equal to the average annual return for the Fund as calculated pursuant to Item 21 of Form N-1A and will be expressed as a percentage of its net asset value per share at the beginning of the Performance Period. The investment record of the Index will be calculated on a similar basis, so that it reflects the average annual total return for the Index, assuming all cash distributions made during the Performance Period by the companies whose securities comprise the Index are reinvested, and will be expressed as a percentage of the value of the Index at the beginning of the Performance Period. Performance data for the Fund will be obtained from the Fund’s accounting services firm and performance data for the Index will be obtained from a reputable financial institution that is in the business of reporting performance data for the equities markets.
The Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive (resulting in an upward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment performance of the Fund exceeds the investment record of the Index for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points) and will be negative (resulting in a downward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment record of the Index exceeds the investment performance of the Fund for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points). Determinations of the Performance Adjustment Rate (positive or negative) will be made in increments of 0.01% for each increment of 0.05% (1/20 of a percentage point) in differential performance. The maximum Performance Adjustment Rate will be 2.40% and the minimum Performance Adjustment Rate will be –2.40%. As an example, if the investment performance of the Fund and the Index for the Performance Period are 19.73% and 11.26% respectively, then the Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive and it will be [(19.73 – 11.26) – 2] x (.01/.05)%, which equals 1.294% or 1.29% after rounding.
After the determination of any Performance Adjustment Rate, the dollar amount of additional fees or fee reductions to be accrued for each day of the month (the daily Fee Adjustment) will be determined by multiplying the Performance Adjustment Rate by the average daily net assets of the Fund during the Performance Period and dividing that number by the number of days in the Performance Period. The fee, as adjusted, is accrued daily and paid monthly.
The Fund’s accounting services firm will create a fee report (the “Report”) calculating the determination of the Fee Adjustment each month, and the determination of the monthly fee. The Fund’s accounting services firm will provide the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Trust, no later than ten (10) days after the close of each calendar quarter, the Reports used for calculation of fees payable by the Fund for the quarter so that the Chairman can review the determinations of the fees. A copy of the report will also be forwarded to the Fund’s Administrator and to you.
If the Trustees determine at some future date that another securities index is a better representative of the composition of the Fund than the Index, the Trustees may change the securities index used to compute the Performance Adjustment Rate. If the Trustees do so, the new securities index (the "New Index") will be applied prospectively in accordance with applicable law to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. Until the New Index becomes effective, the current Index will continue to be used to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. A change in the index will be submitted to shareholders for their approval if required under interpretations of the Act by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.
6.
EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by the Board of Trustees from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a dollar value on such information. The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund. You may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund’s portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies.
7.
PROXY VOTING
You will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide to the Trust a copy of your proxy voting policy prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.
8.
CODE OF ETHICS
You hereby certify that you have adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, you will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that you have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.
9.
SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Agreement, interfere in a material manner, with your ability to meet all of your obligations with respect to rendering services to the Fund.
10.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.
11.
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution, and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by: (i) the Board of Trustees; or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month, the accrued advisory fee shall be paid through the date of termination.
12.
USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name “Astral Financial Combustion” or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust’s right to the use of the name “Astral Financial Combustion” shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days’ written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to use the name “Astral Financial Combustion” in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
13.
AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to which the amendment relates.
14.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term “Astral Investments Trust” means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of Trustees, officers, employees, agents or nominees of the Trust, or any shareholders of any series of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund), as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees and shareholders of the Fund and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund) as provided in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Ohio.
15.
SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
16.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Act, you agree that all record which you maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust and you agree to surrender promptly to the Trust such records upon the Trust’s request. You further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act all records which you maintain for the Trust that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.
17.
QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “control” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
18.
NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and your address for this purpose shall be ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
19.
CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, you, and your officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. You agree that, consistent with your Code of Ethics, neither your nor your officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.
20.
COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21.
BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
22.
CAPTIONS
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 you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - ULTRA EQUITY FINANCIAL COMBUSTION FUND
TO:
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear Sirs:
Astral Investments Trust (the “Trust”) herewith confirms our agreement with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment company. The Trust currently offers five series of shares to investors called the ASTRAL™ Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Ultra Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Large-Cap Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Mid-Cap Financial Combustion Fund and the ASTRAL™ Small-Cap Financial Combustion Fund.
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the ASTRAL™ Ultra Equity Financial Combustion Fund (the “Fund”) and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
1.
ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the Fund’s assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the Board of Trustees may from time to time establish.
2.
USE OF SUB-ADVISERS
You may delegate any or all of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more sub-advisers who shall enter into agreements with you, provided the agreements are approved and ratified (i) by the Board including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required under interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”) by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (unless the Trust has obtained an exemption from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Act). Any such delegation shall not relieve you from any liability hereunder.
3.
ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, including the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Fund; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders’ meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Fund’s shares, excluding expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the Fund.
The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto. The Fund will also pay expenses that it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
4.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
For the first twelve months of operations of the Fund, for all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a fee as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the second month of operations of the Fund, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board of Trustees, if required. If, pursuant to such provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for any particular business day, then for the purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time as the value of the Fund’s net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
5.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - AFTER THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
Effective after twelve months of operations, as compensation for the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a monthly fee, calculated as set forth below. The fee will be payable as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the fourteenth month of operations of the Fund, as compensation for the services rendered and payments made during the preceding month. For purposes of calculating such fee, the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined as provided in the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Agreement.
The fee is comprised of a base fee, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month (the “Base Fee”), that is subject to a performance fee adjustment (the “Fee Adjustment”) that increases or decreases the fee depending on how well the Fund has performed relative to the Dow ▇▇▇▇▇ Wilshire 5000 (full cap) Index (the “Index”) over a performance period. The Fee Adjustment will be calculated using a monthly adjustment rate (the “Performance Adjustment Rate”) that is based upon the Fund’s relative performance.
In determining the Performance Adjustment Rate, if any, applicable during any month, the investment performance of the Fund for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the month (the “Performance Period”) shall be compared to the investment record of the Index during the Performance Period. The investment performance of the Fund will be equal to the average annual return for the Fund as calculated pursuant to Item 21 of Form N-1A and will be expressed as a percentage of its net asset value per share at the beginning of the Performance Period. The investment record of the Index will be calculated on a similar basis, so that it reflects the average annual total return for the Index, assuming all cash distributions made during the Performance Period by the companies whose securities comprise the Index are reinvested, and will be expressed as a percentage of the value of the Index at the beginning of the Performance Period. Performance data for the Fund will be obtained from the Fund’s accounting services firm and performance data for the Index will be obtained from a reputable financial institution that is in the business of reporting performance data for the equities markets.
The Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive (resulting in an upward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment performance of the Fund exceeds the investment record of the Index for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points) and will be negative (resulting in a downward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment record of the Index exceeds the investment performance of the Fund for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points). Determinations of the Performance Adjustment Rate (positive or negative) will be made in increments of 0.01% for each increment of 0.05% (1/20 of a percentage point) in differential performance. The maximum Performance Adjustment Rate will be 2.40% and the minimum Performance Adjustment Rate will be –2.40%. As an example, if the investment performance of the Fund and the Index for the Performance Period are 19.73% and 11.26% respectively, then the Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive and it will be [(19.73 – 11.26) – 2] x (.01/.05)%, which equals 1.294% or 1.29% after rounding.
After the determination of any Performance Adjustment Rate, the dollar amount of additional fees or fee reductions to be accrued for each day of the month (the daily Fee Adjustment) will be determined by multiplying the Performance Adjustment Rate by the average daily net assets of the Fund during the Performance Period and dividing that number by the number of days in the Performance Period. The fee, as adjusted, is accrued daily and paid monthly.
The Fund’s accounting services firm will create a fee report (the “Report”) calculating the determination of the Fee Adjustment each month, and the determination of the monthly fee. The Fund’s accounting services firm will provide the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Trust, no later than ten (10) days after the close of each calendar quarter, the Reports used for calculation of fees payable by the Fund for the quarter so that the Chairman can review the determinations of the fees. A copy of the report will also be forwarded to the Fund’s Administrator and to you.
If the Trustees determine at some future date that another securities index is a better representative of the composition of the Fund than the Index, the Trustees may change the securities index used to compute the Performance Adjustment Rate. If the Trustees do so, the new securities index (the "New Index") will be applied prospectively in accordance with applicable law to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. Until the New Index becomes effective, the current Index will continue to be used to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. A change in the index will be submitted to shareholders for their approval if required under interpretations of the Act by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.
6.
EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by the Board of Trustees from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a dollar value on such information. The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund. You may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund’s portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies.
7.
PROXY VOTING
You will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide to the Trust a copy of your proxy voting policy prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.
8.
CODE OF ETHICS
You hereby certify that you have adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, you will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that you have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.
9.
SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Agreement, interfere in a material manner, with your ability to meet all of your obligations with respect to rendering services to the Fund.
10.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.
11.
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution, and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by: (i) the Board of Trustees; or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month, the accrued advisory fee shall be paid through the date of termination.
12.
USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name “Astral Financial Combustion” or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust’s right to the use of the name “Astral Financial Combustion” shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days’ written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to use the name “Astral Financial Combustion” in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
13.
AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to which the amendment relates.
14.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term “Astral Investments Trust” means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of Trustees, officers, employees, agents or nominees of the Trust, or any shareholders of any series of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund), as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees and shareholders of the Fund and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund) as provided in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Ohio.
15.
SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
16.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Act, you agree that all record which you maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust and you agree to surrender promptly to the Trust such records upon the Trust’s request. You further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act all records which you maintain for the Trust that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.
17.
QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “control” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
18.
NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and your address for this purpose shall be ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
19.
CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, you, and your officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. You agree that, consistent with your Code of Ethics, neither your nor your officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.
20.
COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21.
BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
22.
CAPTIONS
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 you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - LARGE-CAP FINANCIAL COMBUSTION FUND
TO:
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear Sirs:
Astral Investments Trust (the “Trust”) herewith confirms our agreement with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment company. The Trust currently offers five series of shares to investors called the ASTRAL™ Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Ultra Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Large-Cap Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Mid-Cap Financial Combustion Fund and the ASTRAL™ Small-Cap Financial Combustion Fund.
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the ASTRAL™ Large-Cap Financial Combustion Fund (the “Fund”) and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
1.
ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the Fund’s assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the Board of Trustees may from time to time establish.
2.
USE OF SUB-ADVISERS
You may delegate any or all of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more sub-advisers who shall enter into agreements with you, provided the agreements are approved and ratified (i) by the Board including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required under interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”) by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (unless the Trust has obtained an exemption from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Act). Any such delegation shall not relieve you from any liability hereunder.
3.
ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, including the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Fund; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders’ meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Fund’s shares, excluding expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the Fund.
The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto. The Fund will also pay expenses that it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
4.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
For the first twelve months of operations of the Fund, for all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a fee as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the second month of operations of the Fund, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board of Trustees, if required. If, pursuant to such provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for any particular business day, then for the purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time as the value of the Fund’s net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
5.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - AFTER THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
Effective after twelve months of operations, as compensation for the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a monthly fee, calculated as set forth below. The fee will be payable as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the fourteenth month of operations of the Fund, as compensation for the services rendered and payments made during the preceding month. For purposes of calculating such fee, the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined as provided in the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Agreement.
The fee is comprised of a base fee, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month (the “Base Fee”), that is subject to a performance fee adjustment (the “Fee Adjustment”) that increases or decreases the fee depending on how well the Fund has performed relative to the S&P 500 Index (the “Index”) over a performance period. The Fee Adjustment will be calculated using a monthly adjustment rate (the “Performance Adjustment Rate”) that is based upon the Fund’s relative performance.
In determining the Performance Adjustment Rate, if any, applicable during any month, the investment performance of the Fund for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the month (the “Performance Period”) shall be compared to the investment record of the Index during the Performance Period. The investment performance of the Fund will be equal to the average annual return for the Fund as calculated pursuant to Item 21 of Form N-1A and will be expressed as a percentage of its net asset value per share at the beginning of the Performance Period. The investment record of the Index will be calculated on a similar basis, so that it reflects the average annual total return for the Index, assuming all cash distributions made during the Performance Period by the companies whose securities comprise the Index are reinvested, and will be expressed as a percentage of the value of the Index at the beginning of the Performance Period. Performance data for the Fund will be obtained from the Fund’s accounting services firm and performance data for the Index will be obtained from a reputable financial institution that is in the business of reporting performance data for the equities markets.
The Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive (resulting in an upward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment performance of the Fund exceeds the investment record of the Index for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points) and will be negative (resulting in a downward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment record of the Index exceeds the investment performance of the Fund for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points). Determinations of the Performance Adjustment Rate (positive or negative) will be made in increments of 0.01% for each increment of 0.05% (1/20 of a percentage point) in differential performance. The maximum Performance Adjustment Rate will be 2.40% and the minimum Performance Adjustment Rate will be –2.40%. As an example, if the investment performance of the Fund and the Index for the Performance Period are 19.73% and 11.26% respectively, then the Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive and it will be [(19.73 – 11.26) – 2] x (.01/.05)%, which equals 1.294% or 1.29% after rounding.
After the determination of any Performance Adjustment Rate, the dollar amount of additional fees or fee reductions to be accrued for each day of the month (the daily Fee Adjustment) will be determined by multiplying the Performance Adjustment Rate by the average daily net assets of the Fund during the Performance Period and dividing that number by the number of days in the Performance Period. The fee, as adjusted, is accrued daily and paid monthly.
The Fund’s accounting services firm will create a fee report (the “Report”) calculating the determination of the Fee Adjustment each month, and the determination of the monthly fee. The Fund’s accounting services firm will provide the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Trust, no later than ten (10) days after the close of each calendar quarter, the Reports used for calculation of fees payable by the Fund for the quarter so that the Chairman can review the determinations of the fees. A copy of the report will also be forwarded to the Fund’s Administrator and to you.
If the Trustees determine at some future date that another securities index is a better representative of the composition of the Fund than the Index, the Trustees may change the securities index used to compute the Performance Adjustment Rate. If the Trustees do so, the new securities index (the "New Index") will be applied prospectively in accordance with applicable law to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. Until the New Index becomes effective, the current Index will continue to be used to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. A change in the index will be submitted to shareholders for their approval if required under interpretations of the Act by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.
6.
EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by the Board of Trustees from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a dollar value on such information. The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund. You may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund’s portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies.
7.
PROXY VOTING
You will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide to the Trust a copy of your proxy voting policy prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.
8.
CODE OF ETHICS
You hereby certify that you have adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, you will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that you have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.
9.
SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Agreement, interfere in a material manner, with your ability to meet all of your obligations with respect to rendering services to the Fund.
10.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.
11.
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution, and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by: (i) the Board of Trustees; or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month, the accrued advisory fee shall be paid through the date of termination.
12.
USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name “Astral Financial Combustion” or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust’s right to the use of the name “Astral Financial Combustion” shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days’ written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to use the name “Astral Financial Combustion” in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
13.
AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to which the amendment relates.
14.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term “Astral Investments Trust” means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of Trustees, officers, employees, agents or nominees of the Trust, or any shareholders of any series of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund), as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees and shareholders of the Fund and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund) as provided in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Ohio.
15.
SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
16.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Act, you agree that all record which you maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust and you agree to surrender promptly to the Trust such records upon the Trust’s request. You further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act all records which you maintain for the Trust that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.
17.
QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “control” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
18.
NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and your address for this purpose shall be ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
19.
CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, you, and your officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. You agree that, consistent with your Code of Ethics, neither your nor your officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.
20.
COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21.
BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
22.
CAPTIONS
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 you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - MID-CAP FINANCIAL COMBUSTION FUND
TO:
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear Sirs:
Astral Investments Trust (the “Trust”) herewith confirms our agreement with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment company. The Trust currently offers five series of shares to investors called the ASTRAL™ Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Ultra Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Large-Cap Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Mid-Cap Financial Combustion Fund and the ASTRAL™ Small-Cap Financial Combustion Fund.
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the ASTRAL™ Mid-Cap Financial Combustion Fund (the “Fund”) and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
1.
ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the Fund’s assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the Board of Trustees may from time to time establish.
2.
USE OF SUB-ADVISERS
You may delegate any or all of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more sub-advisers who shall enter into agreements with you, provided the agreements are approved and ratified (i) by the Board including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required under interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”) by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (unless the Trust has obtained an exemption from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Act). Any such delegation shall not relieve you from any liability hereunder.
3.
ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, including the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Fund; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders’ meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Fund’s shares, excluding expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the Fund.
The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto. The Fund will also pay expenses that it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
4.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
For the first twelve months of operations of the Fund, for all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a fee as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the second month of operations of the Fund, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board of Trustees, if required. If, pursuant to such provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for any particular business day, then for the purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time as the value of the Fund’s net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
5.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - AFTER THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
Effective after twelve months of operations, as compensation for the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a monthly fee, calculated as set forth below. The fee will be payable as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the fourteenth month of operations of the Fund, as compensation for the services rendered and payments made during the preceding month. For purposes of calculating such fee, the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined as provided in the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Agreement.
The fee is comprised of a base fee, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month (the “Base Fee”), that is subject to a performance fee adjustment (the “Fee Adjustment”) that increases or decreases the fee depending on how well the Fund has performed relative to the S&P 400 Index (the “Index”) over a performance period. The Fee Adjustment will be calculated using a monthly adjustment rate (the “Performance Adjustment Rate”) that is based upon the Fund’s relative performance.
In determining the Performance Adjustment Rate, if any, applicable during any month, the investment performance of the Fund for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the month (the “Performance Period”) shall be compared to the investment record of the Index during the Performance Period. The investment performance of the Fund will be equal to the average annual return for the Fund as calculated pursuant to Item 21 of Form N-1A and will be expressed as a percentage of its net asset value per share at the beginning of the Performance Period. The investment record of the Index will be calculated on a similar basis, so that it reflects the average annual total return for the Index, assuming all cash distributions made during the Performance Period by the companies whose securities comprise the Index are reinvested, and will be expressed as a percentage of the value of the Index at the beginning of the Performance Period. Performance data for the Fund will be obtained from the Fund’s accounting services firm and performance data for the Index will be obtained from a reputable financial institution that is in the business of reporting performance data for the equities markets.
The Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive (resulting in an upward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment performance of the Fund exceeds the investment record of the Index for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points) and will be negative (resulting in a downward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment record of the Index exceeds the investment performance of the Fund for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points). Determinations of the Performance Adjustment Rate (positive or negative) will be made in increments of 0.01% for each increment of 0.05% (1/20 of a percentage point) in differential performance. The maximum Performance Adjustment Rate will be 2.40% and the minimum Performance Adjustment Rate will be –2.40%. As an example, if the investment performance of the Fund and the Index for the Performance Period are 19.73% and 11.26% respectively, then the Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive and it will be [(19.73 – 11.26) – 2] x (.01/.05)%, which equals 1.294% or 1.29% after rounding.
After the determination of any Performance Adjustment Rate, the dollar amount of additional fees or fee reductions to be accrued for each day of the month (the daily Fee Adjustment) will be determined by multiplying the Performance Adjustment Rate by the average daily net assets of the Fund during the Performance Period and dividing that number by the number of days in the Performance Period. The fee, as adjusted, is accrued daily and paid monthly.
The Fund’s accounting services firm will create a fee report (the “Report”) calculating the determination of the Fee Adjustment each month, and the determination of the monthly fee. The Fund’s accounting services firm will provide the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Trust, no later than ten (10) days after the close of each calendar quarter, the Reports used for calculation of fees payable by the Fund for the quarter so that the Chairman can review the determinations of the fees. A copy of the report will also be forwarded to the Fund’s Administrator and to you.
If the Trustees determine at some future date that another securities index is a better representative of the composition of the Fund than the Index, the Trustees may change the securities index used to compute the Performance Adjustment Rate. If the Trustees do so, the new securities index (the "New Index") will be applied prospectively in accordance with applicable law to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. Until the New Index becomes effective, the current Index will continue to be used to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. A change in the index will be submitted to shareholders for their approval if required under interpretations of the Act by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.
6.
EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by the Board of Trustees from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a dollar value on such information. The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund. You may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund’s portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies.
7.
PROXY VOTING
You will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide to the Trust a copy of your proxy voting policy prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.
8.
CODE OF ETHICS
You hereby certify that you have adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, you will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that you have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.
9.
SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Agreement, interfere in a material manner, with your ability to meet all of your obligations with respect to rendering services to the Fund.
10.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.
11.
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution, and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by: (i) the Board of Trustees; or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month, the accrued advisory fee shall be paid through the date of termination.
12.
USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name “Astral Financial Combustion” or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust’s right to the use of the name “Astral Financial Combustion” shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days’ written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to use the name “Astral Financial Combustion” in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
13.
AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to which the amendment relates.
14.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term “Astral Investments Trust” means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of Trustees, officers, employees, agents or nominees of the Trust, or any shareholders of any series of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund), as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees and shareholders of the Fund and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund) as provided in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Ohio.
15.
SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
16.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Act, you agree that all record which you maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust and you agree to surrender promptly to the Trust such records upon the Trust’s request. You further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act all records which you maintain for the Trust that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.
17.
QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “control” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
18.
NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and your address for this purpose shall be ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
19.
CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, you, and your officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. You agree that, consistent with your Code of Ethics, neither your nor your officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.
20.
COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21.
BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
22.
CAPTIONS
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 you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
Astral Investments Trust
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - SMALL-CAP FINANCIAL COMBUSTION FUND
TO:
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear Sirs:
Astral Investments Trust (the “Trust”) herewith confirms our agreement with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment company. The Trust currently offers five series of shares to investors called the ASTRAL™ Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Ultra Equity Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Large-Cap Financial Combustion Fund, the ASTRAL™ Mid-Cap Financial Combustion Fund and the ASTRAL™ Small-Cap Financial Combustion Fund.
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the ASTRAL™ Small-Cap Financial Combustion Fund (the “Fund”) and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
1.
ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the Fund’s assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the Board of Trustees may from time to time establish.
2.
USE OF SUB-ADVISERS
You may delegate any or all of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more sub-advisers who shall enter into agreements with you, provided the agreements are approved and ratified (i) by the Board including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required under interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”) by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (unless the Trust has obtained an exemption from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Act). Any such delegation shall not relieve you from any liability hereunder.
3.
ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, including the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Fund; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders’ meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Fund’s shares, excluding expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the Fund.
The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto. The Fund will also pay expenses that it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
4.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
For the first twelve months of operations of the Fund, for all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a fee as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the second month of operations of the Fund, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board of Trustees, if required. If, pursuant to such provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for any particular business day, then for the purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time as the value of the Fund’s net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
5.
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER - AFTER THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF OPERATION
Effective after twelve months of operations, as compensation for the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will pay you a monthly fee, calculated as set forth below. The fee will be payable as of the first business day of each month, commencing as of the first business day of the fourteenth month of operations of the Fund, as compensation for the services rendered and payments made during the preceding month. For purposes of calculating such fee, the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined as provided in the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Agreement.
The fee is comprised of a base fee, accrued daily at the annual rate of 2.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund during the preceding month (the “Base Fee”), that is subject to a performance fee adjustment (the “Fee Adjustment”) that increases or decreases the fee depending on how well the Fund has performed relative to the S&P 600 Index (the “Index”) over a performance period. The Fee Adjustment will be calculated using a monthly adjustment rate (the “Performance Adjustment Rate”) that is based upon the Fund’s relative performance.
In determining the Performance Adjustment Rate, if any, applicable during any month, the investment performance of the Fund for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the month (the “Performance Period”) shall be compared to the investment record of the Index during the Performance Period. The investment performance of the Fund will be equal to the average annual return for the Fund as calculated pursuant to Item 21 of Form N-1A and will be expressed as a percentage of its net asset value per share at the beginning of the Performance Period. The investment record of the Index will be calculated on a similar basis, so that it reflects the average annual total return for the Index, assuming all cash distributions made during the Performance Period by the companies whose securities comprise the Index are reinvested, and will be expressed as a percentage of the value of the Index at the beginning of the Performance Period. Performance data for the Fund will be obtained from the Fund’s accounting services firm and performance data for the Index will be obtained from a reputable financial institution that is in the business of reporting performance data for the equities markets.
The Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive (resulting in an upward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment performance of the Fund exceeds the investment record of the Index for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points) and will be negative (resulting in a downward Fee Adjustment) for each percentage point that the investment record of the Index exceeds the investment performance of the Fund for the Performance Period by more than 2.00% (two percentage points). Determinations of the Performance Adjustment Rate (positive or negative) will be made in increments of 0.01% for each increment of 0.05% (1/20 of a percentage point) in differential performance. The maximum Performance Adjustment Rate will be 2.40% and the minimum Performance Adjustment Rate will be –2.40%. As an example, if the investment performance of the Fund and the Index for the Performance Period are 19.73% and 11.26% respectively, then the Performance Adjustment Rate will be positive and it will be [(19.73 – 11.26) – 2] x (.01/.05)%, which equals 1.294% or 1.29% after rounding.
After the determination of any Performance Adjustment Rate, the dollar amount of additional fees or fee reductions to be accrued for each day of the month (the daily Fee Adjustment) will be determined by multiplying the Performance Adjustment Rate by the average daily net assets of the Fund during the Performance Period and dividing that number by the number of days in the Performance Period. The fee, as adjusted, is accrued daily and paid monthly.
The Fund’s accounting services firm will create a fee report (the “Report”) calculating the determination of the Fee Adjustment each month, and the determination of the monthly fee. The Fund’s accounting services firm will provide the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Trust, no later than ten (10) days after the close of each calendar quarter, the Reports used for calculation of fees payable by the Fund for the quarter so that the Chairman can review the determinations of the fees. A copy of the report will also be forwarded to the Fund’s Administrator and to you.
If the Trustees determine at some future date that another securities index is a better representative of the composition of the Fund than the Index, the Trustees may change the securities index used to compute the Performance Adjustment Rate. If the Trustees do so, the new securities index (the "New Index") will be applied prospectively in accordance with applicable law to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. Until the New Index becomes effective, the current Index will continue to be used to determine the amount of the Performance Adjustment Rate. A change in the index will be submitted to shareholders for their approval if required under interpretations of the Act by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.
6.
EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by the Board of Trustees from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a dollar value on such information. The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund. You may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund’s portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies.
7.
PROXY VOTING
You will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide to the Trust a copy of your proxy voting policy prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.
8.
CODE OF ETHICS
You hereby certify that you have adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, you will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that you have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.
9.
SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Agreement, interfere in a material manner, with your ability to meet all of your obligations with respect to rendering services to the Fund.
10.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.
11.
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution, and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by: (i) the Board of Trustees; or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month, the accrued advisory fee shall be paid through the date of termination.
12.
USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name “Astral Financial Combustion” or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust’s right to the use of the name “Astral Financial Combustion” shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days’ written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to use the name “Astral Financial Combustion” in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
13.
AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to which the amendment relates.
14.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term “Astral Investments Trust” means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of Trustees, officers, employees, agents or nominees of the Trust, or any shareholders of any series of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund), as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees and shareholders of the Fund and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the Fund) as provided in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Ohio.
15.
SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
16.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Act, you agree that all record which you maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust and you agree to surrender promptly to the Trust such records upon the Trust’s request. You further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act all records which you maintain for the Trust that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.
17.
QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “control” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
18.
NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and your address for this purpose shall be ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
19.
CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, you, and your officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. You agree that, consistent with your Code of Ethics, neither your nor your officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.
20.
COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21.
BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
22.
CAPTIONS
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 you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
Astral Investments Trust
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
Crown Jewel Concepts, LLC
Dated as of December 28, 2006
By:
/s/
Name: J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President