Exhibit A
FORM OF
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") is made as of
this 30th day of September, 2002, by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MultiFund Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust, with its principal place of business at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Trust"), with
respect to its ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Total Return Portfolio series (the "Acquiring Fund"), and
the Trust, with respect to its ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Allocation Portfolio series (the "Selling
Fund").
The reorganization (the "Reorganization") will consist of (i) the transfer
of all of the assets of the Selling Fund in exchange solely for shares of
beneficial interest, without par value per share, of the Acquiring Fund (the
"Acquiring Fund Shares"); (ii) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of
the liabilities of the Selling Fund; and (iii) the distribution, after the
Closing Date hereinafter referred to, of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the
shareholders of the Selling Fund in liquidation of the Selling Fund as provided
herein, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this
Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund are each a separate
investment series of an open-end, registered investment company of the
management type and the Selling Fund owns securities that generally are assets
of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;
WHEREAS, the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund are authorized to issue
their shares of beneficial interest;
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that the transactions
contemplated herein will be in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and its
shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that the Selling Fund
should exchange all of its assets and liabilities for Acquiring Fund Shares and
that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Selling Fund will not be
diluted as a result of the transactions contemplated herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE SELLING FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR
THE ACQUIRING FUND SHARES AND ASSUMPTION OF SELLING FUND
LIABILITIES AND LIQUIDATION OF THE SELLING FUND
1.1 THE EXCHANGE. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth and
on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Selling
Fund agrees to transfer all of the Selling Fund's assets as set forth in
paragraph 1.2 to the Acquiring Fund. The
Acquiring Fund agrees in exchange for the Selling Fund's assets (i) to deliver
to the Selling Fund the number of Acquiring Fund Shares, including fractional
Acquiring Fund Shares, computed in the manner and as of the time and date set
forth in paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3; and (ii) to assume all of the liabilities of
the Selling Fund, as set forth in paragraph 1.3. Such transactions shall take
place on the Closing Date provided for in paragraph 3.1.
1.2 ASSETS TO BE ACQUIRED. The assets of the Selling Fund to be acquired by
the Acquiring Fund shall consist of all property, including, without limitation,
all cash, securities, commodities, interests in futures and dividends or
interest receivables, that is owned by the Selling Fund and any deferred or
prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Selling Fund on the
Closing Date.
The Selling Fund has provided the Acquiring Fund with its most recent
unaudited financial statements, which contain a list of all of the Selling
Fund's assets as of the date thereof. The Selling Fund hereby represents that as
of the date of the execution of this Agreement there have been no changes in its
financial position as reflected in said financial statements other than those
occurring in the ordinary course of its business in connection with the purchase
and sale of securities and the payment of its normal operating expenses. The
Selling Fund reserves the right to sell any of such securities, but will not,
without the prior written approval of the Acquiring Fund, acquire any additional
securities other than securities of the type in which the Acquiring Fund is
permitted to invest.
The Acquiring Fund will, within a reasonable time prior to the Closing
Date, furnish the Selling Fund with a list of the securities, if any, on the
Selling Fund's list referred to in the second sentence of this paragraph that do
not conform to the Acquiring Fund's investment objectives, policies, and
restrictions. The Selling Fund will, within a reasonable period of time (not
less than 30 days) prior to the Closing Date, furnish the Acquiring Fund with a
list of its portfolio securities and other investments. In the event that the
Selling Fund holds any investments that the Acquiring Fund may not hold, the
Selling Fund, if requested by the Acquiring Fund, will dispose of such
securities prior to the Closing Date. In addition, if it is determined that the
Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund portfolios, when aggregated, would contain
investments exceeding certain percentage limitations imposed upon the Acquiring
Fund with respect to such investments, the Selling Fund if requested by the
Acquiring Fund will dispose of a sufficient amount of such investments as may be
necessary to avoid violating such limitations as of the Closing Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will require the Selling Fund to
dispose of any investments or securities if, in the reasonable judgment of the
Selling Fund, such disposition would violate the Selling Fund's fiduciary duty
to its shareholders.
1.3 LIABILITIES TO BE ASSUMED. The Selling Fund will endeavor to discharge
all of its known liabilities and obligations prior to the Closing Date. The
Acquiring Fund shall assume all of the Selling Fund's liabilities and
obligations of any kind whatsoever, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise in existence on the Closing Date.
1.4 LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION. On or as soon after the Closing Date as
is conveniently practicable (the "Liquidation Date"), (a) the Selling Fund will
liquidate and distribute pro rata to the Selling Fund's shareholders of record,
determined as of the close of
business on the Valuation Date (the "Selling Fund Shareholders"), the Acquiring
Fund Shares received by the Selling Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1; and (b) the
Selling Fund will thereupon proceed to terminate as set forth in paragraph 1.8
below. Such liquidation and distribution will be accomplished by the transfer of
the Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of the Selling Fund on
the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the
Acquiring Fund in the names of the Selling Fund Shareholders and representing
the respective pro rata number of the Acquiring Fund Shares due such
shareholders. All issued and outstanding shares of the Selling Fund will
simultaneously be canceled on the books of the Selling Fund. The Acquiring Fund
shall not issue certificates representing the Acquiring Fund Shares in
connection with such exchange.
1.5 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown
on the books of the Acquiring Fund's transfer agent. Shares of the Acquiring
Fund will be issued in the manner described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement on
Form N-14 which has been distributed to shareholders of the Selling Fund as
described in paragraph 4.1(o).
1.6 TRANSFER TAXES. Any transfer taxes payable upon issuance of the
Acquiring Fund Shares in a name other than the registered holder of the Selling
Fund shares on the books of the Selling Fund as of that time shall, as a
condition of such issuance and transfer, be paid by the person to whom such
Acquiring Fund Shares are to be issued and transferred.
1.7 REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY. Any reporting responsibility of the Selling
Fund is and shall remain the responsibility of the Selling Fund up to and
including the Closing Date and such later date on which the Selling Fund is
terminated.
1.8 TERMINATION. The Trust shall take all necessary and appropriate steps
under applicable law to terminate the Selling Fund promptly following the
Closing Date and the making of all distributions pursuant to paragraph 1.4.
ARTICLE II
VALUATION
2.1 VALUATION OF ASSETS. The value of the Selling Fund's assets to be
acquired by the Acquiring Fund hereunder shall be the value of such assets
computed as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on the
business day next preceding the Closing Date (such time and date being
hereinafter called the "Valuation Date"), using the valuation procedures set
forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and the Selling Fund's then current
prospectus and statement of additional information or such other valuation
procedures as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
2.2 VALUATION OF SHARES. The net asset value per share of the Acquiring
Fund Shares shall be the net asset value per share computed as of the close of
business on the New York Stock Exchange on the Valuation Date, using the
valuation procedures set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and the
Acquiring Fund's then current prospectus and statement of additional
information.
2.3 SHARES TO BE ISSUED. The number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund
Shares to be issued in exchange for the Selling Fund's assets shall be
determined by multiplying the outstanding shares of the Selling Fund by the
ratio computed by dividing the net asset value per share of the Selling Fund by
the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund on the Valuation Date,
determined in accordance with in paragraph 2.2.
2.4 DETERMINATION OF VALUE. All computations of value shall be made by
Fifth Third Bank, the Acquiring Fund's custodian, in accordance with its regular
practice in pricing the shares and assets of the Acquiring Fund.
ARTICLE III
CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE
3.1 CLOSING DATE. The closing of the Reorganization (the "Closing") shall
take place on or about December 30, 2002 or such other date as the parties may
agree to in writing (the "Closing Date"). All acts taking place at the Closing
shall be deemed to take place simultaneously immediately prior to the opening of
business on the Closing Date unless otherwise provided. The Closing shall be
held as of 8:00 a.m. Central time at the offices of the Trust, or at such other
time and/or place as the parties may agree.
3.2 EFFECT OF SUSPENSION IN TRADING. In the event that on the Valuation
Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for
portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Selling Fund shall be closed
to trading or trading thereon shall be restricted; or (b) trading or the
reporting of trading on said Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that
accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquiring Fund or the
Selling Fund is impracticable, the Valuation Date (and the Closing Date) shall
be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall have
been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.
3.3 TRANSFER AGENT'S CERTIFICATE. The Selling Fund shall cause its transfer
agent to deliver at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating
that its records contain the names and addresses of the Selling Fund
Shareholders and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned
by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund
shall issue and deliver, or cause its transfer agent, to issue and deliver, to
the Secretary of the Trust a confirmation evidencing the Acquiring Fund Shares
to be credited on the Closing Date or provide evidence satisfactory to the
Selling Fund that such Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Selling
Fund's account on the books of the Acquiring Fund. At the Closing, each party
shall deliver to the other such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share
certificates, if any, receipts and other documents as such other party or its
counsel may reasonably request.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLING FUND. The Selling Fund represents and
warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:
(a) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, a
business trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust,
which is registered as an investment company classified as a management company
of the open-end type, and its registration with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), is in full force and effect.
(c) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of
the Selling Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the 1940 Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not include any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) The Selling Fund is not, and the execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement (subject to shareholder approval) will not result,
in violation of any provision of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or
of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other
undertaking to which the Selling Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(e) The Selling Fund has no material contracts or other commitments
(other than this Agreement) that will be terminated with liability to it prior
to the Closing Date, except for liabilities, if any, to be discharged as
provided in paragraph 1.3 hereof.
(f) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the
Acquiring Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding, or investigation of or
before any court or governmental body is presently pending or to its knowledge
threatened against the Selling Fund or any of its properties or assets, which,
if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial
condition, the conduct of its business, or the ability of the Selling Fund to
carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Selling Fund
knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such
proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order,
decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and
adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions
herein contemplated.
(g) The unaudited financial statements of the Selling Fund at June 30,
2002 are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished
to the Acquiring Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Selling
Fund as of such date, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the
Selling Fund as of such date not disclosed therein.
(h) Since June 30, 2002, there has not been any material adverse
change in the Selling Fund's financial condition, assets, liabilities, or
business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any
incurrence by the Selling Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from
the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed
to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund. For the purposes of this subparagraph
(h), a decline in the net asset value of the Selling Fund shall not constitute a
material adverse change.
(i) At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and reports
of the Selling Fund required by law to have been filed by such date shall have
been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns and
reports shall have been paid, or provision shall have been made for the payment
thereof. To the best of the Selling Fund's knowledge, no such return is
currently under audit, and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such
returns.
(j) For each fiscal year of its operation, the Selling Fund has met
the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as
a regulated investment company and has distributed in each such year all net
investment income and realized capital gains.
(k) All issued and outstanding shares of the Selling Fund are, and at
the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid
and non-assessable by the Selling Fund. All of the issued and outstanding shares
of the Selling Fund will, at the time of the Closing Date, be held by the
persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the transfer agent as
provided in paragraph 3.3. The Selling Fund does not have outstanding any
options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the
Selling Fund shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any
of the Selling Fund shares.
(l) At the Closing Date, the Selling Fund will have good and
marketable title to the Selling Fund's assets to be transferred to the Acquiring
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.2 and full right, power, and authority to sell,
assign, transfer, and deliver such assets hereunder, and, upon delivery and
payment for such assets, the Acquiring Fund will acquire good and marketable
title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof,
including such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act, other than as
disclosed to the Acquiring Fund and accepted by the Acquiring Fund.
(m) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Selling Fund
and, subject to approval by the Selling Fund's shareholders, this Agreement
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Selling Fund, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equity principles.
(n) The information furnished by the Selling Fund for use in no-action
letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials, and
other documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby is accurate and complete in all material respects and
complies in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and
regulations thereunder applicable thereto.
(o) The Selling Fund has provided the Acquiring Fund with information
reasonably necessary for the preparation of a prospectus, which included the
proxy statement of the Selling Fund (the "Prospectus/Proxy Statement"), all of
which was included in a Registration
Statement on Form N-14 of the Acquiring Fund (the "Registration Statement"), in
compliance with the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act") and the 1940 Act in connection with the meeting of the
shareholders of the Selling Fund to approve this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby. The Prospectus/Proxy Statement included in the Registration
Statement (other than information therein that relates to the Acquiring Fund and
any other fund described therein other than the Selling Fund) does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading.
4.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND. The Acquiring Fund represents
and warrants to the Selling Fund as follows:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust.
(b) The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust,
which is registered as an investment company classified as a management company
of the open-end type, and its registration with the Commission as an investment
company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(c) The prospectus and statement of additional information, as of the
date of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, of the Acquiring Fund will conform in
all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not
include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) The Acquiring Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement will not result, in violation of the Trust's
Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or of any material agreement, indenture,
instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is
a party or by which it is bound.
(e) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Selling Fund and
accepted by the Selling Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding or
investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending
or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any of its
properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and
adversely affect its financial condition and the conduct of its business or the
ability of the Acquiring Fund to carry out the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for
the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the
provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body
that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate
the transactions contemplated herein.
(f) The Acquiring Fund has no liabilities of a material amount,
contingent or otherwise.
(g) At the Closing Date, there will not be any material adverse change
in the Acquiring Fund's financial condition, assets, liabilities, or business
other than changes occurring
in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of
indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was
incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Selling Fund. For
the purposes of this subparagraph (g), a decline in the net asset value of the
Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
(h) At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and reports
of the Acquiring Fund required by law then to be filed by such date shall have
been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns and
reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment
thereof. To the best of the Acquiring Fund's knowledge, no such return is
currently under audit, and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such
returns.
(i) The Acquiring Fund expects to qualify for treatment as a regulated
investment company under subchapter M of the Code, and the rules thereunder, for
its taxable year which includes the Closing Date.
(j) All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares are, and at the
Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
non-assessable. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options,
warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund
Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Acquiring
Fund Shares.
(k) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquiring Fund,
and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring
Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to
or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.
(l) The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the
Selling Fund, for the account of the Selling Fund Shareholders, pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement will, at the Closing Date, have been duly authorized
and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly issued Acquiring
Fund Shares, and will be fully paid and non-assessable.
(m) The information furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in
no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy
materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby is accurate and complete in all material
respects and complies in all material respects with federal securities and other
laws and regulations applicable thereto.
(n) The Prospectus/Proxy Statement included in the Registration
Statement (only insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund) does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading.
(o) The Acquiring Fund agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain
the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, and
such of the state Blue
Sky or securities laws as it may deem appropriate in order to continue its
operations after the Closing Date.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AND THE SELLING FUND
5.1 OPERATION IN ORDINARY COURSE. The Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund
each will operate its business in the ordinary course between the date hereof
and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business
will include customary dividends and distributions.
5.2 APPROVAL BY SHAREHOLDERS. The Trust will call a meeting of the
shareholders of the Selling Fund to consider and act upon this Agreement and to
take all other action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions
contemplated herein.
5.3 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. The Selling Fund covenants that the
Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued hereunder are not being acquired for the
purpose of making any distribution thereof other than in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
5.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The Selling Fund will assist the Acquiring Fund
in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests
concerning the beneficial ownership of the Selling Fund shares.
5.5 FURTHER ACTION. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the
Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund will each take, or cause to be taken, all
action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including any actions required to be taken after the Closing Date.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLING FUND
The obligations of the Selling Fund to consummate the transactions provided
for herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the
Acquiring Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or
before the Closing Date, and, in addition thereto, the following further
conditions:
6.1 All representations and warranties of the Acquiring Fund contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing
Date, and the Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Selling Fund a
certificate executed in its name by the Trust's President or Vice President, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Selling Fund and dated as of
the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Selling
Fund shall reasonably request.
6.2 With respect to the Selling Fund, the Trust shall have received on the
Closing Date an opinion from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Worcester LLP, counsel to the Trust and
the Acquiring Fund, dated as of the Closing Date, in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Selling Fund, covering the following points:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of a business
trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has the trust power to own all of its
properties and assets and, to the knowledge of such counsel, to carry on its
business as presently conducted.
(b) The Acquiring Fund is a separate series of a Massachusetts
business trust registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and, to
such counsel's knowledge, such registration with the Commission as an investment
company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered
by the Acquiring Fund and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of
this Agreement by the Selling Fund, is a valid and binding obligation of the
Acquiring Fund enforceable against the Acquiring Fund in accordance with its
terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally
and to general equity principles.
(d) Assuming that a consideration therefor not less than the net asset
value thereof has been paid, the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and
delivered to the Selling Fund on behalf of the Selling Fund Shareholders as
provided by this Agreement are duly authorized and upon such delivery will be
legally issued and outstanding and fully paid and non-assessable, and no
shareholder of the Acquiring Fund has any statutory preemptive rights in respect
thereof.
(e) The Registration Statement, to the knowledge of such counsel, has
been declared effective by the Commission and no stop order under the 1933 Act
pertaining thereto has been issued; and to the knowledge of such counsel, no
consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority
of the United States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for
consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein,
except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and as
may be required under state securities laws.
(f) The execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, result in a
violation of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or a material provision
of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other
undertaking (in each case known to such counsel) to which the Acquiring Fund is
a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or, to the
knowledge of such counsel, result in the acceleration of any obligation or the
imposition of any penalty under any agreement, judgment, or decree to which the
Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(g) Only insofar as they relate to the Acquiring Fund, the
descriptions in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement of statutes, legal and
governmental proceedings and material contracts, if any, are accurate and fairly
present the information required to be shown.
(h) Such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental
proceedings, only insofar as they relate to the Acquiring Fund, existing on or
before the effective date of the Registration Statement or the Closing Date
required to be described in the Registration Statement or to be filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not described or filed as
required.
(i) To the knowledge of such counsel, no litigation or administrative
proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is
presently pending or threatened as to the Acquiring Fund or any of its
properties or assets and the Acquiring Fund is not a party to or subject to the
provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body,
which materially and adversely affects its business, other than as previously
disclosed in the Registration Statement.
Such opinion shall contain such assumptions and limitations as shall be in
the opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Worcester LLP appropriate to render the opinions
expressed therein.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND
The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to complete the transactions provided
for herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the Selling
Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or before the
Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following conditions:
7.1 All representations and warranties of the Selling Fund contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing
Date, and the Selling Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund on the
Closing Date a certificate executed in its name by the Trust's President or Vice
President, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as
of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the
Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.
7.2 The Selling Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a statement
of the Selling Fund's assets and liabilities, together with a list of the
Selling Fund's portfolio securities showing the tax costs of such securities by
lot and the holding periods of such securities, as of the Closing Date,
certified by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.
7.3 With respect to the Acquiring Fund, the Trust shall have received on
the Closing Date an opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Worcester LLP, counsel to the Selling
Fund, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund, covering the
following points:
(a) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, a
business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and has the trust power to own all of its properties and assets
and, to the knowledge of such counsel, to carry on its business as presently
conducted.
(b) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of a
Massachusetts business trust registered as an investment company under the 1940
Act, and, to such counsel's knowledge, such registration with the Commission as
an investment company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Selling Fund and, assuming due authorization, execution, and delivery of
this Agreement by the Acquiring Fund, is a valid and binding obligation of the
Selling Fund enforceable against the Selling Fund in accordance with its terms,
subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and to
general equity principles.
(d) To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval,
authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United
States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for consummation by the
Selling Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been
obtained under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and as may be required under state
securities laws.
(e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, result in a
violation of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or By-laws, or a material
provision of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or
other undertaking (in each case known to such counsel) to which the Selling Fund
is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or, to the
knowledge of such counsel, result in the acceleration of any obligation or the
imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, judgment, or decree to which the
Selling Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(f) Only insofar as they relate to the Selling Fund, the descriptions
in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement of statutes, legal and governmental
proceedings and material contracts, if any, are accurate and fairly represent
the information required to be shown.
(g) Such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental
proceedings, only insofar as they relate to the Selling Fund existing on or
before the effective date of the Registration Statement or the Closing Date,
required to be described in the Registration Statement or to be filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not described or filed as
required.
(h) To the knowledge of such counsel, no litigation or administrative
proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is
presently pending or threatened as to the Selling Fund or any of its respective
properties or assets and the Selling Fund is not a party to nor subject to the
provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body,
which materially and adversely affects its business other than as previously
disclosed in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
(i) Assuming that a consideration therefor of not less than the net
asset value thereof has been paid, and assuming that such shares were issued in
accordance with the terms of the Selling Fund's registration statement, or any
amendment thereto, in effect at the time of such issuance, all issued and
outstanding shares of the Selling Fund are legally issued and fully paid and
non-assessable.
Such opinion shall contain such other assumptions and limitations as shall
be in the opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Worcester LLP appropriate to render the opinions
expressed therein.
ARTICLE VIII
FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING
FUND AND THE SELLING FUND
If any of the conditions set forth below do not exist on or before the
Closing Date with respect to the Selling Fund or the Acquiring Fund, the other
party to this Agreement shall, at its option, not be required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement:
8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been
approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the
Selling Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Trust's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws and certified copies of the resolutions
evidencing such approval shall have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund or
the Selling Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.1.
8.2 On the Closing Date, the Commission shall not have issued an
unfavorable report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor instituted any
proceeding seeking to enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act and no action, suit or
other proceeding shall be threatened or pending before any court or governmental
agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other
relief in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
herein.
8.3 All required consents of other parties and all other consents, orders,
and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities (including those
of the Commission and of state Blue Sky securities authorities, including any
necessary "no-action" positions of and exemptive orders from such federal and
state authorities) to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such
consent, order, or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect
on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Selling Fund, provided
that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions.
8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933
Act, and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties
hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been
instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated under the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.
[8.5 THE SELLING FUND SHALL HAVE DECLARED A DIVIDEND OR DIVIDENDS WHICH,
TOGETHER WITH ALL PREVIOUS SUCH DIVIDENDS SHALL HAVE THE EFFECT OF DISTRIBUTING
TO THE SELLING FUND
SHAREHOLDERS ALL OF THE SELLING FUND'S INVESTMENT COMPANY TAXABLE INCOME FOR ALL
TAXABLE PERIODS ENDING ON THE CLOSING DATE (COMPUTED WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY
DEDUCTION FOR DIVIDENDS PAID) AND ALL OF THE NET CAPITAL GAINS REALIZED IN ALL
TAXABLE PERIODS ENDING ON THE CLOSING DATE (AFTER REDUCTION FOR ANY CAPITAL LOSS
CARRYFORWARD).]
8.6 The Trust shall have received a favorable opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
Worcester LLP addressed to the Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund substantially
to the effect that, for federal income tax purposes:
(a) The transfer of all of the Selling Fund assets in exchange solely
for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the
liabilities of the Selling Fund followed by the distribution of the Acquiring
Fund Shares to the Selling Fund Shareholders in dissolution and liquidation of
the Selling Fund will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)( )of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund
will each be a "party to a reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b)
of the Code.
(b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the
receipt of the assets of the Selling Fund solely in exchange for the Acquiring
Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the
Selling Fund.
(c) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Selling Fund upon the
transfer of the Selling Fund assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the
Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the
liabilities of the Selling Fund or upon the distribution (whether actual or
constructive) of the Acquiring Fund Shares to Selling Fund Shareholders in
exchange for their shares of the Selling Fund.
(d) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Selling Fund
Shareholders upon the exchange of their Selling Fund shares for the Acquiring
Fund Shares in liquidation of the Selling Fund.
(e) The aggregate tax basis for the Acquiring Fund Shares received by
each Selling Fund Shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as
the aggregate tax basis of the Selling Fund shares held by such Shareholder
immediately prior to the Closing, and the holding period of the Acquiring Fund
Shares received by each Selling Fund Shareholder will include the period during
which the Selling Fund shares exchanged therefor were held by such Shareholder
(provided the Selling Fund shares were held as capital assets on the date of the
Closing).
(f) The tax basis of the Selling Fund assets acquired by the Acquiring
Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets to the Selling Fund
immediately prior to the Closing, and the holding period of the assets of the
Selling Fund in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the period during
which those assets were held by the Selling Fund.
ARTICLE IX
EXPENSES
9.1 Except as otherwise provided for herein, all expenses of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement incurred by the Selling Fund and the
Acquiring Fund, whether incurred before or after the date of this Agreement,
will be borne by the Acquiring Fund. Such expenses include, without limitation,
(a) expenses incurred in connection with the entering into and the carrying out
of the provisions of this Agreement; (b) expenses associated with the
preparation and filing of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act covering
the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement; (c) registration or qualification fees and expenses of preparing and
filing such forms as are necessary under applicable state securities laws to
qualify the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection herewith in each
state in which the Selling Fund Shareholders are resident as of the date of the
mailing of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement to such shareholders; (d) postage; (e)
printing; (f) accounting fees; (g) legal fees; and (h) solicitation costs of the
transaction.
ARTICLE X
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES
10.1 The Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund agree that neither party has
made any representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
10.2 The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in this
Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
shall not survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION
11.1 This Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of the
Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund. In addition, either the Acquiring Fund or
the Selling Fund may at its option terminate this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date because:
(a) of a breach by the other of any representation, warranty, or
agreement contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date, if
not cured within 30 days; or
(b) a condition herein expressed to be precedent to the obligations of
the terminating party has not been met and it reasonably appears that it will
not or cannot be met.
11.2 In the event of any such termination, in the absence of willful
default, there shall be no liability for damages on the part of the Acquiring
Fund, the Selling Fund, the Trust, or its Trustees or officers, to the other
party, but each shall bear the expenses incurred by it incidental to the
preparation and carrying out of this Agreement as provided in paragraph 9.1.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
12.1 This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented in such
manner as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the authorized officers of
the Trust; provided, however, that following the meeting of shareholders of the
Selling Fund pursuant to paragraph 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may
have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of the
Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Selling Fund Shareholders under this
Agreement to the detriment of such Selling Fund Shareholders without their
further approval.
ARTICLE XIII
HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT;
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
13.1 The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
13.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original.
13.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the
conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
13.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or
transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any
party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed
or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person,
firm, or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of
this Agreement.
13.5 With respect to the Trust, the name used herein refers respectively to
the trust created and, as the case may be, the Trustees, as trustees but not
individually or personally, acting from time to time under organizational
documents filed in Massachusetts, which are hereby referred to and are also on
file at the principal offices of the Trust. The obligations of the Trust entered
into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, representatives or
agents of the Trust, are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are
not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders or representatives of the
Trust personally, but bind only the trust property, and all persons dealing with
the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund must look solely to the trust property
belonging to the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund for the enforcement of any
claims against the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund, respectively.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, all as
of the date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MULTIFUND TRUST ON
BEHALF OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ____________
ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
By: /s/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MULTIFUND TRUST ON
BEHALF OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ TOTAL
RETURN PORTFOLIO
By:/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 30th day of December 2002, by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
MULTIFUND TRUST, an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Trust"), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota, (the
"Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end management
investment company and is so registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest in the Trust currently consist of
one separate series portfolio - the Total Return Portfolio, and the Trustees
have the power to create additional series (each a "Fund" and together, the
"Funds"); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged in the business of rendering investment
advisory and management services and is registered as an investment adviser
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to furnish investment
management services to the Trust and the Adviser is willing to furnish such to
the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Appointment of Adviser. The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as
investment manager of the Trust for the period and on the terms herein set
forth. The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services
herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. Investment Management Services. The Adviser shall supervise the
investments of the Funds contemplated as of the date hereof, and such subsequent
series of shares of the Trust as the Trustees of the Trust shall select the
Adviser to manage. In such capacity, the Adviser shall maintain a continuous
investment program for each such Fund, determine what securities shall be
purchased or sold by each Fund, secure and evaluate such information as it deems
proper and take whatever action is necessary or convenient to perform its
functions, including the placing of purchase and sale orders.
In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the
Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of the Funds the best
overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any
transaction, the Adviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the financial condition and execution
capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if
any, (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended) provided by such broker or dealer to the Funds or other
accounts over which the Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser exercises
investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer
who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a
portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction, if, but only if, the Adviser determines in good faith that such
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that
particular transaction or in terms of all of the accounts over which the Adviser
or any affiliate of the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
3. Compliance with Laws. All functions undertaken by the Adviser hereunder
shall at all times conform to, and be in accordance with, any requirements
imposed by: (1) the 1940 Act, and any rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder; (2) any other applicable provisions of law; (3) the Declaration of
Trust of the Trust as amended from time to time; (4) the By-laws of the Trust as
amended from time to time; and (5) the registration statements of the Trust as
amended from time to time, filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
and the 1940 Act.
4. Board Supervision. All of the functions undertaken by the Adviser
hereunder shall at all times be subject to the direction of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, or any committee or officers of the Trust acting under
the authority of the Board of Trustees.
5. Payment of Expenses. (a) The Adviser shall employ or provide and
compensate the executive, administrative, secretarial and clerical personnel
necessary to provide the services set forth herein, and shall bear the expense
thereof. Adviser shall compensate all Trustees, officers and employees of the
Trust who are also partners or employees of the Adviser.
(b) The Funds will be responsible for the payment of all operating expenses
of the Trust, including fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection
with membership in investment company organizations, brokerage fees and
commissions, legal, auditing and accounting expenses, expenses of registering
shares under federal and state securities laws, insurance expenses, taxes or
governmental fees, fees and expenses of the custodian, the transfer, shareholder
service and dividend disbursing agent and the accounting and pricing agent of
the Funds, expenses including clerical expenses of issue, sale, redemption or
repurchase of shares of the Funds, the fees and expenses of Trustees of the
Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, the cost of preparing,
printing and distributing prospectuses, statements, reports and other documents
to shareholders, expenses of shareholders' meetings and proxy solicitations, and
such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation
to which the Trust may be a party and indemnification of the Trust's officers
and Trustees with respect thereto, or any other expense not specifically
described above incurred in the performance of the Trust's obligations. All
other expenses not expressly assumed by Adviser herein incurred in connection
with the organization, registration of shares and operations of the Funds will
be borne by the Funds
6. Account Fees. The Trust, by resolution of the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Independent Trustees, may from time to time
authorize the imposition of a fee as a direct charge against shareholder
accounts of the Funds, such fee to be retained by the Trust or to be paid to the
Adviser to defray expenses which would otherwise be paid by the Adviser in
accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of this Agreement. At least sixty
(60) days' prior written notice of the intent to impose such fee must be given
to the shareholders of the affected Fund.
7. Compensation of Adviser. (a) As full compensation for the services and
such facilities as may from time to time be furnished by the Adviser under this
Agreement, the Funds agree to pay to the Adviser a fee at the annual rate listed
in Appendix A of the Fund's average daily net asset value. Such fee shall be
accrued daily and payable monthly. For purposes of calculating such fee, such
net asset value shall be determined by taking the average of all determinations
of net asset value made in the manner provided in the Funds' current Prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information.
(b) For any period less than a full month during which this Agreement is in
effect the compensation payable to the Adviser hereunder shall be prorated
according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month.
(c) Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. Any fees
withheld or voluntarily reduced and any Fund expenses absorbed by the Adviser
voluntarily or pursuant to an agreed upon expense cap which are a Fund's
obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Adviser, if so
requested by the Adviser, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount
actually paid by a Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year
(taking into account the reimbursement) does not exceed the applicable
limitation on the Fund's expenses. The Adviser is permitted to be reimbursed
only for fee reductions and expense payments made in the previous three fiscal
years. Any such reimbursement is also contingent upon the Board of Trustees'
review and approval all reimbursements. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior
to a Fund's payment of current ordinary operating expenses.
8. Limitation of Liability of Adviser.The Adviser shall not be liable for
any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund in
connection with any investment policy or the purchase, sale, or retention of any
investment on the recommendation of the Adviser; provided, however, that nothing
herein contained shall be construed to protect the Adviser against any liability
to the Fund by reason of 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.
9. Term and Termination. (a) This Agreement shall become effective on the
date hereof. Unless terminated as herein provided, this Agreement shall remain
in full force and effect for an initial period of two years from the date hereof
and shall continue in full force and effect for successive periods of one year
thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is approved (i) by either
the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities (as defined in the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) of the Funds, and, in either event, (ii)
by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this
Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) of any such party,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated at any time as to the Trust or a
particular series of the Trust without the payment of any penalty by vote of the
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities (as defined in the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) of a Fund or by the Adviser, on
sixty days' written notice to the other party.
(c) This Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in the
event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
10. Separate Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge that certain
provisions of the 1940 Act, in effect, treat each series of shares of an
investment company as a separate investment company. Accordingly, the parties
hereto hereby acknowledge and agree that, to the extent deemed appropriate and
consistent with the 1940 Act, this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a
separate agreement between the Adviser and each Fund.
11. Limitation of Liability of Trustees and Shareholders. A copy of the
Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this Agreement is
executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as trustees are not binding upon
the Trustees or holders of shares of the Trust individually but are binding only
upon the assets and property of the Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MULTIFUND TRUST
By:________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Chairman of the Board of
Trustees and President
ATTEST:
_________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
President
ATTEST:
_________________________
APPENDIX A
----------
Schedule of Investment Management Fees to
be charged to each Series Portfolio of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MultiFund Trust
Total Return Portfolio Annual rate of 0.75% of
average daily net asset
value, payable monthly.