INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT FEE (a) The Fund shall pay to the Advisor, and the Advisor agrees to accept, as full compensation for all services furnished or provided to such Fund pursuant to this Agreement, an annual management fee at the rate set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement.
(b) The management fee shall be accrued daily by the Fund and paid to the Advisor on the first business day of the succeeding month.
(c) The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first business day of the first month following the effective date of this Agreement and shall be prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month, the fee to the Advisor shall be prorated for the portion of any month in which this Agreement is in effect which is not a complete month according to the proportion which the number of calendar days in the month during which the Agreement is in effect bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and shall be payable within ten (10) days after the date of termination.
(d) The fee payable to the Advisor under this Agreement will be reduced to the extent of any receivable owed by the Advisor to the Fund and as required under any expense limitation applicable to the Fund.
(e) The Advisor voluntarily may reduce any portion of the compensation or reimbursement of expenses due to it pursuant to this Agreement and may agree to make payments to limit the expenses which are the responsibility of the Fund under this Agreement. Any such reduction or payment shall be applicable only to such specific reduction or payment and shall not constitute an agreement to reduce any future compensation or reimbursement due to the Advisor hereunder or to continue future payments. Any such reduction will be agreed to prior to accrual of the related expense or fee and will be estimated daily and reconciled and paid on a monthly basis.
(f) Any such reductions made by the Advisor in its fees or payment of expenses which are the Fund’s obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Advisor, if so requested by the Advisor, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) does not exceed the applicable limitation on Fund expenses. Under the expense limitation agreement, the Advisor may recoup reimbursements made in any fiscal year of the Fund over the following three fiscal years. Any such reimbursement is also contingent upon Board of Trustees review and approval at time the reimbursement is made. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Fund’s payment of current ordinary operating expenses.
(g) The Advisor may agree not to require payment of any portion of the compensation or reimbursement of expenses otherwise due to it pursuant to this Agreement. Any such agreement shall be applicable only with respect to the specific items covered thereby and shall not constitute an agreement not to require payment of any future compensation or reimbursement due to the Advisor hereunder.
Investment Adviser and Investment Sub-Adviser The Trustees may in their discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or contracts with respect to the Trust or any Series whereby the other party or parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trust with such management, investment advisory, statistical and research facilities and services and such other facilities and services, if any, and all upon such terms and conditions, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Instrument, the Trustees may authorize any investment adviser (subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities, other investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf of the Trustees, or may authorize any officer, employee, agent, or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales or exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment adviser (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases, sales and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by the Trustees. The Trustees may authorize, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the investment adviser to employ, from time to time, one or more sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Any reference in this Trust Instrument to the investment adviser shall be deemed to include such sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise requires.
Investment Advisory Duties Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Manager, the Sub-adviser will, in coordination with the Manager, (a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Portfolio in accordance with the Portfolio's investment objectives, policies and limitations as stated in the Portfolio's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information included as part of the Trust's Registration Statement on behalf of the Portfolio filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as they may be amended from time to time, copies of which shall be provided to the Sub-adviser by the Manager; (b) make investment decisions for the Portfolio; and (c) place orders to purchase and sell securities for the Portfolio. In particular, the Sub-adviser will be responsible for the market timing of purchases and sales and for all yield enhancement strategies used in managing the Portfolio. In performing its investment management services to the Portfolio hereunder, the Sub-adviser will provide the Portfolio with ongoing investment guidance and policy direction. The Sub-adviser will determine the securities, instruments, repurchase agreements, options and other investments and techniques that the Portfolio will purchase, sell, enter into or use, and will provide an ongoing evaluation of the Portfolio. The Sub-adviser will determine what portion of the Portfolio shall be invested in securities and other assets. The Sub-adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:
(a) comply with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, the Advisers Act, applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trustees;
(b) manage the Portfolio so that it will qualify, and continue to qualify (except where extraordinary circumstances dictate otherwise), as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and regulations issued thereunder;
(c) place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Portfolio directly with the issuer, or with any broker or dealer the Sub-adviser may choose, in accordance with applicable policies expressed in the Portfolio's Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information and in accordance with applicable legal requirements;
(d) furnish to the Trust whatever statistical information the Trust may reasonably request in writing with respect to the Portfolio's assets or contemplated investments. In addition, the Sub-adviser will keep the Trust and the Trustees informed of developments materially affecting the Portfolio and shall, on the Sub-adviser's own initiative, furnish to the Trust from time to time whatever information the Sub-adviser believes appropriate for this purpose;
(e) make available to the Manager and the Trust, promptly upon their written request, such copies of its investment records and ledgers with respect to the Portfolio as may be required to assist the Manager and the Trust in their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Sub-adviser will furnish the Trustees with such periodic and special reports regarding the Portfolio as they may reasonably request in writing;
(f) immediately notify the Manager and the Trust in the event that the Sub-adviser or any of its affiliates: (1) becomes aware that it is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-adviser from serving as an investment adviser pursuant to this Sub-advisory Agreement; or (2) becomes aware that it is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority. The Sub-adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the Manager promptly if any statement regarding the Sub-adviser contained in the Trust's Registration Statement with respect to the Portfolio, or any amendment or supplement thereto, becomes untrue or incomplete in any material respect. In performing its duties under this Agreement, the Sub-adviser shall manage and invest the Portfolio's assets in accordance with the Portfolio's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as well as applicable federal and state securities laws, based upon instructions as may be provided to the Sub-adviser by the Manager, the Portfolio's administrator, accountant, custodian or other agent designated by the Manager as responsible for testing compliance of the Portfolio (the "Compliance Agent"). The Sub-adviser further agrees to manage and invest the Portfolio's assets in accordance with instructions as may be provided to the Sub-adviser from time to time by the Manager or the Compliance Agent in an effort to ensure that the Portfolio meets and maintains, so long as required by the Code, the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and regulations issued thereunder. In fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-adviser shall be entitled to reasonably rely on and act in accordance with instructions provided by the Manager or Compliance Agent.
Investment Advisory and Management Services The Investment Adviser hereby appoints the Subadviser to serve as subadviser to the Fund and the Subadviser hereby accepts such appointment. Subject to the supervision of the Investment Adviser, Subadviser will regularly provide the Fund with investment advice and investment management services concerning the investments of the Fund. The Subadviser will determine what securities shall be purchased, held or sold by the Fund and what portion of the Funds assets shall be held uninvested in cash and cash equivalents, subject always to the provisions of the Trusts Declaration of Trust and By-laws and the 1940 Act, and to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Fund (including, without limitation, the requirements of Subchapters L and M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) (the Code), as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect or set forth in the Funds Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as well as any other investment guidelines or policies the Board of Trustees or the Investment Adviser may from time to time establish and deliver in writing to the Subadviser. To carry out such determinations the Subadviser will exercise full discretion, subject to the preceding paragraph, and act for the Fund in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the Trust might or could do with respect to purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser shall, upon written instructions from the Investment Adviser, effect such portfolio transactions for the Fund as the Investment Adviser may from time to time direct. Such instructions will be given in reasonable circumstances, including, without limitation, any termination of this Agreement. The Subadviser will also make its officers and employees available to meet with the officers of the Investment Adviser and the Trusts officers and Trustees at least quarterly on due notice to review the investments and investment program of the Fund in the light of current and prospective economic and market conditions. From time to time as the Board of Trustees of the Trust or the Investment Adviser may reasonably request, the Subadviser will furnish to the Investment Adviser and Trusts officers and to each of its Trustees, at the Subadvisers expense, reports on portfolio transactions and reports on issues of securities held by the Fund, all in such detail as the Trust or the Investment Adviser may reasonably request. The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its responsibilities provided hereunder with respect to the Fund, and shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The Subadviser shall permit the Investment Adviser, the Funds officers and its independent public accountants to inspect and audit such records at reasonable times during normal business hours upon due notice. If any occasion should arise in which the Subadviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of the Fund, the Subadviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. The Subadvisers services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that the Subadviser may render investment advice, management and other services to others.
Investment Advisory Facilities The Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish all necessary investment facilities, including salaries of personnel, required for it to execute its duties hereunder.
Investment Advisor The Buyer is an investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.
Investment Advisory Services The Adviser undertakes to act as investment adviser of the Portfolio and shall, subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, direct the investments of the Portfolio in accordance with the investment objective, policies and limitations as provided in the Portfolio's Prospectus or other governing instruments, as amended from time to time, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder, as amended from time to time (the "1940 Act"), and such other limitations as the Portfolio may impose by notice in writing to the Adviser. The Adviser shall also furnish for the use of the Portfolio office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Portfolio; and shall pay the salaries and fees of all officers of the Fund, of all Trustees of the Fund who are "interested persons" of the Fund or of the Adviser and of all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Adviser is authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the Portfolio, to buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds and other securities and investment instruments on behalf of the Portfolio. The investment policies and all other actions of the Portfolio are and shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
Investment Advisory Agreement (A) The terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation terms, comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and (B) the approvals by the board of directors and the stockholders of the Company of the Investment Advisory Agreement have been made in accordance with the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act applicable to companies that have elected to be regulated as business development companies under the 1940 Act.
Non-Investment Advisory Services The Fund hereby employs the Manager to provide certain non-investment advisory services for the Portfolio, subject to the direction of the officers and the Board on the terms hereinafter set forth. Specifically, the Manager shall perform or arrange for the performance, as applicable, at its own expense (except as provided in Section 4 or unless otherwise agreed to by the Manager and the Fund, in which case at the Fund’s expense), the following services to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio to the extent that any such services are not otherwise provided by any other service provider to the Fund:
(i) monitor and evaluate the services provided to the Fund for the benefit of the Portfolio by the Portfolio’s custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agents, printers, insurance carriers (as well as insurance agents and insurance brokers), independent public accountants, legal counsel and other persons and entities who provide similar services to the Fund for the benefit of the Portfolio;
(ii) monitor the preparation of periodic reports and notices of distributions to shareholders of the Portfolio;
(iii) coordinate, monitor and evaluate the daily pricing and valuation of the Portfolio’s investment portfolio;
(iv) monitor the Portfolio’s compliance with recordkeeping requirements of applicable federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations;
(v) assist the Portfolio to comply with the provisions of applicable federal, state, and foreign tax laws and tax regulations;
(vi) assist the Portfolio to comply with the provisions of applicable federal, state, local and foreign securities, organizational and other laws that govern the business of the Fund in respect of the Portfolio, including with respect to the preparation of registration statements and other materials in connection with the offering of the Portfolio’s shares;
(vii) monitor and coordinate the provision of trade administration oversight services to the Portfolio, including settlement oversight services, reconciliation services, collateral management oversight services, and similar services, including recommending corrective action;
(viii) assist the Portfolio to conduct meetings of the Portfolio’s shareholders if and when called by the Board;
(ix) furnish such information to the Board as the Board may reasonably require in connection with the annual approval of this Agreement, and coordinate the provision of such other information as the Board may reasonably request; and
(x) provide the shareholders of the Portfolio with such information regarding the operation and affairs of the Portfolio, and their investment in its shares, as they or the Fund may reasonably request. The Manager accepts such employment and agrees to provide or coordinate the provision of the non-investment advisory services specified above in this Section 3 for the compensation provided in Section 5. The Manager is not required at its own expense to provide non-investment advisory services to the Fund under this Agreement except as specified in this Section 3. The Manager may provide additional non-investment advisory services, i.e., those not specified in this Section 3, for the benefit of the Portfolio subject to terms mutually agreed upon by the Fund and the Manager. Subject to approval or ratification by the Board, the Manager may delegate to one or more entities some or all of the services for the Portfolio described in this Section 3 for which the Manager is responsible, provided that the Manager will be responsible for supervising such entities and paying the compensation, if any, of such entities for such services to the Portfolio, except as otherwise agreed to by the Manager and the Fund.
Investment Advisory Fee For services provided under subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of this Agreement, the Advisor agrees to pay the Sub-Advisor a monthly Sub-Advisory Fee. The Sub-Advisory Fee shall be equal to 110% of the Sub-Advisor's costs incurred in connection with rendering the services referred to in subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of this Agreement. The Sub-Advisory Fee shall not be reduced to reflect expense reimbursements or fee waivers by the Advisor, if any, in effect from time to time.
