INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN IQ INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC AND MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT MANAGERS, L.P.
Exhibit 2(g)(2)
INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
ENTERED INTO BETWEEN
IQ INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC
AND
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT MANAGERS, L.P.
This Investment Subadvisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 27, 2004 by and between IQ Investment Advisors LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Adviser”), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Investment Managers, L.P., a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Subadviser”).
WHEREAS, the Adviser and S&P 500® GEAREDSM Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, have entered into an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement dated October 26, 2004, (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to provide investment management and advisory services to the Fund;
WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser may engage a duly organized subadviser, to furnish investment information, services and advice to assist the Adviser in carrying out its responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement, provided that the Adviser obtains the consent and approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”), a majority of those directors who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement, or “interested persons” of any party to the Investment Advisory Agreement, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, and otherwise complies with the shareholder voting requirements of the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain the Subadviser to render investment advisory services to the Adviser and the Fund in the manner and on the terms set out in this Agreement, and the Subadviser desires to provide such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set out in this Agreement, the Adviser and the Subadviser agree as follows:
1. Investment Description; Appointment
(a) Investment Description. The Fund will invest and reinvest its assets in accordance with the investment objective(s), policies and limitations specified in the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, as may be periodically amended. The Adviser agrees to provide copies of all amendments and supplements to the current Prospectus, and copies of any procedures adopted by the Board applicable to the Fund and any amendments to
those procedures (the “Board Procedures”), to the Subadviser on an on-going basis. In addition, the Adviser will furnish the Subadviser with a copy of any financial statement or report prepared for the Fund with respect to the Fund by certified or independent auditors, and with copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Fund to shareholders or to any state or federal regulatory agency. The Adviser also will inform the Subadviser of any material results of any audits or examinations by regulatory authorities pertaining directly to the Subadviser’s responsibilities for the Fund.
(b) Appointment of Subadviser. The Adviser hereby engages the services of the Subadviser in connection with the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets. Pursuant to this Agreement and subject to the oversight and supervision by the Adviser and the Board, the Subadviser will manage the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Subadviser hereby accepts the engagement by the Adviser in the foregoing capacity and agrees, at the Subadviser’s own expense, to render the services set out in this Agreement and to provide the office space, furnishings, equipment, and personnel required by the Subadviser to perform these services on the terms and for the compensation provided in this Agreement. Except as specified in this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees that it will not delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any third party without first obtaining the written consent of both the Fund and the Adviser.
2. Services as Subadviser
Subject to the supervision, direction and approval of the Adviser and the Board, the Subadviser will conduct a continual program of investment, evaluation, sale, and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets. The Subadviser is authorized, in its sole discretion and without prior consultation with the Adviser, to: (a) obtain and evaluate pertinent economic, financial, and other information affecting the economy generally and certain investment assets as such information relates to securities or other financial instruments that are purchased for or considered for purchase by the Fund; (b) make investment decisions for the Fund; (c) place purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund and manage otherwise uninvested cash assets of the Fund; (d) price such Fund securities as the Adviser and Subadviser will mutually agree upon from time to time; (e) execute account documentation, agreements, contracts and other documents as may be requested by brokers, dealers, counterparties and other persons in connection with the Subadviser’s management of the assets of the Fund (in such respect, and only for this limited purpose, the Subadviser will act as the Adviser’s and the Fund’s agent and attorney-in-fact); and (f) employ professional portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the Fund. The Subadviser will in general take such action as is appropriate to effectively manage the Fund’s investment practices. In addition,
(i) The Subadviser will furnish the Adviser routinely with daily information concerning portfolio transactions and other reports as agreed upon from time to time concerning transactions and performance of the Fund, in such form and frequency as may be mutually agreed upon from time to time. The Subadviser agrees to review the Fund and discuss the management of the Fund with the Adviser and the Board as either or both will from time to time reasonably request.
2
(ii) The Subadviser will maintain and preserve the records specified in Section 15 of this Agreement and any other records related to the Fund’s transactions as are required under any applicable state or federal securities law or regulation including: the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). The Adviser and the Fund will maintain and preserve all other books and records for the Fund as required under such rules. The Subadviser will furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Subadviser’s services under this Agreement reasonably requested by the Adviser within a reasonable period of time after the Adviser makes such request.
(iii) The Subadviser will comply with Board Procedures provided to the Subadviser by the Adviser or the Fund. The Subadviser will notify the Adviser as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Board Procedures.
(iv) The Subadviser will maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, a copy of which will be provided to the Adviser and the Fund, and will institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser will follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, nonpublic information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988, a copy of which it will provide to the Adviser and the Fund upon any reasonable request. The Subadviser shall assure that its employees will comply in all material respects with the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to cooperate reasonably with the Adviser for purposes of filing any required reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or such other regulator having appropriate jurisdiction.
(v) The Subadviser will manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In addition, the Subadviser will manage the Fund’s assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as stated in the Prospectus. The Subadviser also will manage the investments of the Fund in a manner consistent with any and all applicable investment restrictions (including diversification requirements) contained in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations under the Act, any SEC no-action letter or order applicable to the Fund, and any applicable state securities law or regulation. The Adviser will provide Subadviser with copies of any such SEC no-action letter or order. The Subadviser agrees to perform its duties hereunder in complete compliance with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Rule 206(4)-7 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, including providing the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and/or board of directors with such information, reports and certifications as they may reasonably request.
3. Information and Reports
(a) The Subadviser will keep the Fund and the Adviser informed of developments relating to its duties as subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Fund. In this regard, the Subadviser will provide the Fund, the
3
Adviser, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Fund and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser will provide the Adviser and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser’s management of the Fund during the most recently completed quarter, to include written certifications that the Fund is in compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives and practices, the 1940 Act and applicable rules and regulations under the 1940 Act, and the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code, and otherwise in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Adviser. The Subadviser also will certify quarterly to the Fund and the Adviser that it and its “Advisory Persons” (as defined in Rule 17j-1) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser will furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1, concerning the Subadviser’s Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Fund and the Adviser. Upon written request of the Fund or the Adviser with respect to violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Fund, the Subadviser will permit representatives of the Fund or the Adviser to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-1(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
(b) Attached hereto as Annex A is a list, to the best of the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s respective knowledge, of each affiliated person (and any affiliated person of such an affiliated person) of the Adviser or the Subadviser, as the case may be. Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from the list of affiliated persons.
(c) The Subadviser also will provide the Adviser with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Fund required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Subadviser will promptly inform the Fund and the Adviser if any information in the Prospectus or SAI is (or will become) inaccurate or incomplete.
4. Standard of Care
The Subadviser will exercise its best judgment and will act in good faith and use reasonable care and in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws and regulations in rendering the services it agrees to provide under this Agreement.
5. Subadviser’s Duties Regarding Fund Transactions
(a) Placement of Orders. The Subadviser will take all actions that it considers necessary to implement the investment policies of the Fund, and, in particular, to place all orders for the purchase or sale of securities or other investments for the Fund with brokers or dealers the Subadviser, in its sole discretion, selects. To that end, the Subadviser is authorized as the Fund’s agent to give instructions to the Fund’s custodian as to deliveries of securities or other investments and payments of cash for the Fund’s account. In connection with the selection of
4
brokers or dealers and the placement of purchase and sale orders, the Subadviser is directed at all times to seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy guidelines determined by the Board and set out in the Fund’s current Prospectus, subject to provisions (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 5.
(b) Selection of Brokers and Dealers. To the extent permitted by the policy guidelines set out in the Fund’s current Prospectus, in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Subadviser is authorized to consider not only the available prices and rates of brokerage commissions, but also other relevant factors, which may include, without limitation: the execution capabilities of the brokers and dealers; the research, custody, and other services provided by the brokers and dealers that the Subadviser believes will enhance its general portfolio management capabilities; the size of the transaction; the difficulty of execution; the operational facilities of these brokers and dealers; the risk to a broker or dealer of positioning a block of securities; and the overall quality of brokerage and research services provided by the brokers and dealers. In connection with the foregoing, the Subadviser is specifically authorized to pay those brokers and dealers who provide brokerage and research services to the Subadviser a higher commission than that charged by other brokers and dealers if the Subadviser determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the services in terms of either the particular transaction or in terms of the Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to any other client accounts or portfolios that the Subadviser advises. The execution of such transactions will not be considered to represent an unlawful breach of any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise.
(c) Soft Dollar Arrangements. On an ongoing basis, but not less often than annually, the Subadviser will identify and provide a written description to the Board and the Adviser of all “soft dollar” arrangements that the Subadviser maintains with respect to the Fund or with brokers or dealers that execute transactions for the Fund, and of all research and other services provided to Subadviser by a broker or dealer (whether prepared by such broker or dealer or by a third party) as a result, in whole or in part, of the direction of Fund transactions to the broker or dealer.
(d) Aggregated Transactions. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security or other financial instrument to be in the best interest of the Fund well as other clients, the Subadviser is authorized, but not required, to aggregate purchase and sale orders for securities or other financial instruments held (or to be held) by the Fund with similar orders being made on the same day for other client accounts or portfolios that the Subadviser manages. When an order is so aggregated, the Subadviser may allocate the recommendations or transactions among all accounts and portfolios for whom the recommendation is made or transaction is effected on a basis that the Subadviser reasonably considers equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and its other clients. The Subadviser, the Adviser and the Fund recognize that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtainable for the Fund.
6. Compensation
For its services, the Adviser pays the Subadviser at the end of each calendar month a fee based upon the average daily value of the net assets of the Fund at the annual rate of 0.35% of an
5
aggregate of (i) the Fund’s average daily net assets and (ii) the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage (“average daily net assets” means the average daily value of the total assets of the Fund, including the amount obtained from leverage and any proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, minus the sum of (i) accrued liabilities of the Fund, (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest on outstanding borrowings and (iii) accumulated dividends on shares of outstanding preferred stock), commencing on the day following effectiveness hereof. For purposes of this calculation, average daily net assets is determined at the end of each month on the basis of the average net assets of the Fund for each day during the month. It is understood that the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock (other than accumulated dividends) is not considered a liability in determining the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Subadviser will have no right to obtain compensation directly from the Fund for services provided under this Agreement and agrees to look solely to the Adviser for payment of fees due. The fee for the period from the Effective Date (defined below) of the Agreement to the end of the month during which the Effective Date occurs will be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of a month, the fee for such part of that month will be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period and will be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. For the purpose of determining fees payable to the Subadviser, the value of the Fund’s net assets will be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Prospectus, and on days on which the net assets are not so determined, the net asset value computation to be used will be as determined on the immediately preceding day on which the net assets were determined.
7. Expenses
The Subadviser will bear all expenses (excluding expenses to be borne by the Fund as described in the following sentence) in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement. The Fund will bear certain other expenses to be incurred in its operation, including, but not limited to, (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the Fund’s directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund; (iv) legal and audit expenses; (v) custodian, registrar and transfer agent fees and expenses; (vi) fees and expenses related to the registration and qualification of the Fund and the Fund’s shares for distribution under state and federal securities laws; (vii) expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy material to shareholders of the Fund; (viii) all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund’s shareholders, including proxy solicitations therefor; (ix) insurance premiums for fidelity bond and other coverage; (x) investment management fees; (xi) expenses of typesetting for printing prospectuses and statements of additional information and supplements to these documents; (xii) expenses of printing and mailing prospectuses and supplements thereto; and (xiii) such non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and legal obligations that the Fund may have to indemnify the Fund’s directors, officers and/or employees or agents with respect to these actions, suits or proceedings.
6
8. Services to Other Companies or Accounts
The Adviser understands that the Subadviser and its affiliates now act, will continue to act and may act in the future as investment manager or adviser to fiduciary and other managed accounts, and as an investment manager or adviser to other investment companies, including any offshore entities or private accounts. The Adviser has no objection to the Subadviser and its affiliates so acting, provided, that, whenever the Fund and one or more other investment companies or accounts managed or advised by the Subadviser and its affiliates have available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each will be allocated in accordance with a formula reasonably believed to be equitable to each such company and account. The Adviser represents that the Fund recognizes that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtainable for the Fund and that the Fund also understands that the persons employed by the Subadviser to assist in the performance of the Subadviser’s duties under this Agreement may not devote their full time to such service, and that nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Subadviser to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature. This Agreement will not in any way limit or restrict the Subadviser or any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents from buying, selling or trading any securities or other investment instruments for its or their own account or for the account of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such activities will not adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by the Subadviser of its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
9. Affiliated Brokers
The Subadviser or any of its affiliates may act as broker in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other investments for the Fund, subject to: (a) the requirement that the Subadviser seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy guidelines determined by the Board and set out in the Fund’s current prospectus; (b) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act; (c) the provisions of the 1934 Act, including, but not limited to, Section 11(a) thereof; and (d) other provisions of applicable law. These brokerage services are not within the scope of the duties of the Subadviser under this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of applicable law and any procedures adopted by the Board, the Subadviser or its affiliates may receive brokerage commissions, fees or other remuneration from the Fund for these services in addition to the Subadviser’s fees for services under this Agreement.
10. Custody
Nothing in this Agreement will require the Subadviser to take or receive physical possession of cash, securities, or other investments of the Fund.
11. Term of Agreement; Termination of Agreement; Amendment of Agreement
(a) Term. This Agreement will become effective October 26, 2004 (the “Effective Date”), and, unless terminated in accordance with its terms, will continue for an initial two-year term and thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually as required by the 1940 Act.
7
(b) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, without penalty, (i) by the Board or by vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser and Subadviser, (ii) by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund and Subadviser, or (iii) by Subadviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund and the Adviser. This Agreement also will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or in the event of the assignment or termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement.
(c) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if the amendment is specifically approved by: (i) a majority of those directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” of any party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Agreement’s approval; and (ii) if required by applicable law, the vote of a majority of outstanding shares of the Fund.
12. Representations and Covenants of the Adviser
The Adviser represents and covenants to the Subadviser as follows:
| (a) | It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as the business is now being conducted. |
| (b) | The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement are within the Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary actions and by the Board of the Fund, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties to this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties to this Agreement does not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instruments binding upon the Adviser. |
| (c) | It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement. |
| (d) | It has met, and will continue to seek to meet for the duration of this Agreement, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory of industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met by the Adviser in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement. |
| (e) | It (i) is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, (ii) is registered and licensed as an investment adviser under the laws of all |
8
jurisdictions in which its activities require it to be so licensed, and (iii) will promptly notify the Subadviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act.
| (f) | It acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Subadviser’s Form ADV at least 48 hours prior to the execution of this Agreement and has delivered a copy of the same to the Fund. |
| (g) | The Fund is, or will be prior to commencing operations, registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and the Fund’s shares are (or will be prior to commencing operations) registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and under any applicable state securities laws. |
| (h) | It will carry out its responsibilities under this Agreement in compliance with (i) federal and state law, including securities law, governing its activities; (ii) the Fund’s investment objective, policies, and restrictions, as set out in the Prospectus, as amended from time to time; and (iii) any policies or directives as the Board may from time to time establish or issue and communicate to the Subadviser in writing. The Fund will promptly notify the Adviser in writing of changes to (ii) or (iii) above, and upon receipt of such notice, the Adviser will promptly notify the Subadviser in writing of such changes to (ii) or (iii) above. |
13. Representations and Covenants of the Subadviser
The Subadviser represents and covenants to the Adviser as follows:
| (a) | It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as this business is now being conducted. |
| (b) | The execution, delivery and performance by the Subadviser of this Agreement are within the Subadviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its board of directors, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Subadviser for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties to this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties to this Agreement does not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Subadviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instruments binding upon the Subadviser. |
| (c) | It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement. |
9
| (d) | It has met, and will continue to seek to meet for the duration of this Agreement, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement. |
| (e) | It (i) is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, (ii) is registered or licensed as an investment adviser under the laws of jurisdictions in which its activities require it to be so registered or licensed, and (iii) will promptly notify the Fund of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify it from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. |
| (f) | It has provided the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV and will, promptly after making any amendment to its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendments to the Adviser. The information contained in the Subadviser’s Form ADV is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. |
| (g) | It will carry out its responsibilities under this Agreement in compliance with (i) federal and state law, including securities law, governing its activities; (ii) the Fund’s investment objective, policies, and restrictions, as set out in the Prospectus and SAI, as amended from time to time; and (iii) any policies or directives as the Board may from time to time establish or issue and communicate to the Subadviser in writing. The Fund or the Adviser will promptly notify the Subadviser in writing of changes to (ii) or (iii) above. |
| (h) | It is not the subject of any proceeding, investigation or inquiry brought by the SEC, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (or any other self-regulatory organization) or any other federal or state regulator with respect to the types of services for which it is being appointed herein or which could have a material impact on its ability to fully perform any of the services to be rendered hereunder. |
14. Cooperation with Regulatory Authorities or Other Actions
The parties to this Agreement each agree to cooperate in a reasonable manner with each other in the event that any of them should become involved in a legal, administrative, judicial or regulatory action, claim, or suit as a result of performing its obligations under this Agreement.
15. Records
(a) Maintenance of Records. The Subadviser hereby undertakes and agrees to maintain, in the form and for the period required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, all records
10
relating to the Fund’s investments that are required to be maintained by the Fund pursuant to the 1940 Act with respect to the Subadviser’s responsibilities under this Agreement for the Fund (the “Fund’s Books and Records”).
(b) Ownership of Records. The Subadviser agrees that the Fund’s Books and Records are the Fund’s property and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund or the Adviser the Fund’s Books and Records upon the request of the Fund or the Adviser; provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain copies of the records at its own cost. The Fund’s Books and Records will be made available, within two (2) business days of a written request, to the Fund’s accountants or auditors during regular business hours at the Subadviser’s offices. The Fund, the Adviser or their respective authorized representatives will have the right to copy any records in the Subadviser’s possession that pertain to the Fund. These books, records, information, or reports will be made available to properly authorized government representatives consistent with state and federal law and/or regulations. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, the Fund’s Books and Records will be returned to the Fund or the Adviser. The Subadviser agrees that the policies and procedures it has established for managing the Fund, including, but not limited to, all policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations governing the adviser/client relationship and management and operation of the Fund, will be made available for inspection by the Fund, the Adviser or their respective authorized representatives upon reasonable written request within not more than two (2) business days.
16. Confidentiality.
(a) Non-Disclosure by Subadviser. The Subadviser agrees that the Subadviser will not disclose or use any records or confidential information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever, except as authorized in this Agreement or specifically by the Adviser or the Fund, or if this disclosure or use is required by federal or state regulatory authorities or by a court.
(b) Non-Disclosure Exceptions. The Subadviser may disclose the investment performance of the Fund; provided that the disclosure does not reveal the identity of the Adviser or the Fund. The Subadviser may also disclose that the Adviser and the Fund are the Subadviser’s clients, provided that the disclosure does not reveal the investment performance or the composition of the Fund.
17. Limitation of Liability; Indemnification
(a) Limitation of Liability. Except as provided in this Agreement and as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or other federal securities laws, the Adviser and its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or persons controlled by them (collectively, the “Related Parties”) on the one hand, and the Subadviser and the Subadviser Related Parties on the other hand, will not be liable to each other, the Fund or any shareholder of the Fund for any error or judgment, mistake of law, or any loss arising out of any investment or other act or omission in the course of, connected with, or arising out of any services to be rendered under this Agreement, except that the Adviser, the Subadviser and any respective
11
Related Party will be so liable by reason of conduct that constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(b) Subadviser Indemnity to the Adviser. The Subadviser agrees to indemnify and defend the Adviser, the Adviser’s Related Parties, or any affiliate of the Adviser or such affiliate’s respective Related Parties, for any loss, liability, cost, damage, or expenses (including reasonable investigation and defense costs and reasonable attorneys fees and costs) arising out of any claim, demand, action, suit, or proceeding arising out of (i) the Subadviser’s conduct that constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or alleged material misstatement or omission in the Fund’s registration statement, any proxy statement, or communication to current or prospective investors in the Fund relating to disclosure about the Subadviser or the Fund provided to the Adviser or the Fund by the Subadviser.
(c) The Adviser Indemnity to Subadviser. The Adviser agrees to indemnify and defend the Subadviser, the Subadviser’s Related Parties, or any affiliate of the Subadviser or such affiliate’s respective Related Parties, for any loss, liability, cost, damage, or expenses (including reasonable investigation and defense costs and reasonable attorneys fees and costs) arising out of any claim, demand, action, suit, or proceeding arising out of (i) the Adviser’s conduct that constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or alleged material misstatement or omission in the Fund’s registration statement, any proxy statement, or other communication to current or prospective investors in the Fund (other than a misstatement or omission relating to disclosure about the Subadviser or the Fund provided to the Adviser or the Fund by the Subadviser).
(d) Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt of notice of the commencement of any action by a party seeking to be indemnified under this Section 17 (the “Indemnified Party”), the Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against a party against whom indemnification is sought under this Section 17 (the “Indemnifying Party”), notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided, however, that the omission to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which it may have to any Indemnified Party otherwise than under the provisions of this Agreement, and will relieve it from liability under this Agreement only to the extent that such omission results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of rights or defenses with respect to such action. In any action or proceeding, following provision of proper notice by the Indemnified Party of the existence of such action, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate in any such action and, to the extent that it will wish, participate jointly with any other Indemnifying Party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel of its choice (unless any conflict of interest requires the appointment of separate counsel), and after notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense of the action, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal expense of the other counsel subsequently incurred without the Indemnifying Party’s consent. The Indemnified Party will cooperate in the defense or settlement
12
of claims so assumed. The Indemnifying Party will not be liable under this Agreement for the settlement by the Indemnified Party for any claim or demand unless the Indemnifying Party has previously approved the settlement or it has been notified of such claim or demand and has failed to provide a defense in accordance with the provisions hereof. In the event that any proceeding involving the Indemnifying Party will be commenced by the Indemnified Party in connection with the Agreement, or the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and such proceeding will be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in favor of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party will be liable to the Indemnifying Party for any reasonable attorney’s fees and direct costs relating to such proceedings. The indemnifications provided in this Section 17 will survive the termination of this Agreement.
18. Survival
All representations and warranties made by the Subadviser and the Adviser in this Agreement will survive for the duration of this Agreement and the parties to this Agreement will notify each other in writing immediately upon becoming aware, but in no event later than five (5) days after becoming aware, that any of the foregoing representations and warranties are no longer true.
19. Limitation on Consultation
In accordance with Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act and any other applicable law, the Subadviser will not consult with any other subadviser to the Fund or any subadviser to any other portfolio of the Fund or to any other investment company or investment company series for which the Adviser serves as investment adviser concerning transactions for the Fund in securities or other assets.
20. Governing Law
This Agreement will be governed by, construed under and interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
21. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement will be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby.
22. Definitions
The terms “assignment,” “affiliated person,” and “interested person,” when used in this Agreement, will have the respective meanings specified in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. The term “majority of the outstanding shares” means the lesser of (a) sixty-seven percent (67%) or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than fifty percent (50%) of these shares are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares.
13
23. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together will constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
| IQ INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC | ||||
| By: |
| |||
| Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇ | |||
| Title: |
President | |||
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT MANAGERS, L.P. | ||||
| By: |
| |||
| Name: |
||||
| Title: |
||||
14
APPENDIX A
LIST OF AFFILIATES
15