MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
TO: ▇▇▇▇▇ Investment Research, Inc.
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear Sirs:
The ▇▇▇▇▇ Advantage Funds (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement
with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is The ▇▇▇▇▇ Large Cap Plus Fund (the "Fund").
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the Fund
and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you
are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services under
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust agrees
with you as follows upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
1. ADVISORY SERVICES
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You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you
in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment
program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and
policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the
portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") may from time to time establish.
You will advise and assist the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are
necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board and the
appropriate committees of the Board regarding the conduct of the business of the
Fund.
2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
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You will pay all organizational, offering and operating expenses
(other than expenses specifically assumed by the Fund) of the Fund, including
the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other
persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service
staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses
incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company
organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering
shares under federal and state securities laws; insurance expenses; fees and
expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent,
shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing
services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical
expenses, of issue, sale redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the
cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the cost
of printing or preparing prospectuses
and statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's current
shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other
documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders'
meetings and proxy solicitations; and all other operating expenses not
specifically assumed by the Fund.
The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest,
fees and expenses of the non-interested person trustees and such extraordinary
or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund
may be a party and indemnification of the Trust's trustees and officers with
respect thereto. The Fund will pay all expenses which may be incurred pursuant
to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (the "12b-1 Expenses"). You may
obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine
in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund
is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part
of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER
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For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as
provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month, the Fund
will pay you a fee (a) at the annual rate of 1.25% of the average value of its
daily net assets, minus (b) the fees and expenses of the non-interested person
trustees incurred by the Fund.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
4. EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
-------------------------------------
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the
account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of
all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account
with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by
the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the
allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of
such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all
times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account
such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer
spread) the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of
the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker or dealer.
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You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that
are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative
execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide
brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over
which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or
dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative execution
as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as
a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio
transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Act"), and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or
any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with
effecting the Fund's portfolio transactions, including transactions effected
through others. If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to
clients of yours concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as
investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.
Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be
exclusive and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management
and other services to others, including other registered investment companies.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
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You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate
and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules
thereunder, neither you nor your officers, directors, employees, agents, control
persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or
any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust in connection with, any
error of judgement, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with or
arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this
Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any such
persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of
reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties under
this Agreement.
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Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee or agent of
you, who may be or become an officer, director, trustee, employee or agent of
the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on
any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with
your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for
the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee or agent of you, or one under
your control or direction, even though paid by you.
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
------------------------------------------
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution by you,
and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i)
the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event
continuance is also approved by a majority of the trustees who are not
"interested persons," as defined in the Act, of you or the Trust, by a vote cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval.
If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Agreement in the
manner set forth above, upon request of the Board, you will continue to serve or
act in such capacity for the Fund for the period of time pending required
approval of the Agreement, of a new agreement with you or a different adviser or
other definitive action; provided that the compensation to be paid by the Fund
to you for your services to and payments on behalf of the Fund will be equal to
the lesser of your actual costs incurred in furnishing such services and
payments or the amount you would have received under this Agreement for
furnishing such services and payments.
This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated
with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the
Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.
7. USE OF NAME
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The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name "▇▇▇▇▇ Large
Cap Plus," or any variation thereof, belongs to you, and that the Trust is being
granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class
name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to
use the name "▇▇▇▇▇ Large Cap Plus," or any variation thereof, shall
automatically cease on the ninetieth (90th) day following the termination of
this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the
term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days' written notice by you to the
Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your
right to use the name "▇▇▇▇▇ Large Cap Plus," or any variation thereof, in the
name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you
are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to
use these names.
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8. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
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No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until
approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who are not
interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission) by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to
which the amendment relates.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
-----------------------------------------
The term "The ▇▇▇▇▇ Advantage Funds" means and refers to the Trustees
from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the same may
subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is
expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file
with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.
10. SEVERABILITY
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In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void
or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this
Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
11. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
---------------------------
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this
Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision
of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act
and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the
absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or
orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to said Act. In
addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is revised by rule, regulation or order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such provision shall be deemed to
incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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12. NOTICES
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Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and
delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such
other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice
to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and your address for this purpose
shall be ▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
13. COUNTERPARTS
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This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
14. BINDING EFFECT
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Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has
the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party
indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to
the foregoing terms.
15. CAPTIONS
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The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such
counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract
upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
▇▇▇▇▇ Advantage Funds
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, President
Dated: November 1, 1999
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ACCEPTANCE
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The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
▇▇▇▇▇ Investment Research, Inc.
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇., President
Dated: November 1, 1999
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