▇▇▇▇▇▇ GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
This Management Contract is dated as of February 27, 2014
between ▇▇▇▇▇▇ GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND, a Massachusetts
business trust (the Fund), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (the Manager).
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
it is agreed as follows:
1. SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY MANAGER TO FUND.
(a) The Manager, at its expense, will furnish continuously
an investment program for the Fund or, in the case of a Fund
that has divided its shares into two or more series under
Section 18(f)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act), each series of the Fund identified from
time to time on Schedule A to this Contract (each reference in
this Contract to a Fund or to the Fund is also deemed to be a
reference to any existing series of the Fund, as appropriate in
the particular context), will determine what investments will be
purchased, held, sold or exchanged by the Fund and what portion,
if any, of the assets of the Fund will be held uninvested and
will, on behalf of the Fund, make changes in such investments.
Subject always to the control of the Trustees of the Fund and
except for the functions carried out by the officers and
personnel referred to in Section 1(d), the Manager will also
manage, supervise and conduct the other affairs and business of
the Fund and matters incidental thereto. In the performance of
its duties, the Manager will comply with the provisions of the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By Laws of the Fund and
the stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions of
the Fund, will use its best efforts to safeguard and promote the
welfare of the Fund and to comply with other policies which the
Trustees may from time to time determine and will exercise the
same care and diligence expected of the Trustees.
(b) The Manager, at its expense, except as such expense is
paid by the Fund as provided in Section 1(d), will furnish (1)
all necessary investment and management facilities, including
salaries of personnel, required for it to execute its duties
faithfully; (2) suitable office space for the Fund; and (3)
administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical
personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of
the affairs of the Fund, including determination of the net
asset value of the Fund, but excluding shareholder accounting
services. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1(d), the
Manager will pay the compensation, if any, of the officers of
the Fund.
(c) The Manager, at its expense, will place all orders for
the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for the Funds
account with brokers or dealers selected by the Manager. In the
selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such
orders, the Manager will use its best efforts to obtain for the
Fund the most favorable price and execution available, except to
the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage
commissions for brokerage and research services as described
below. In using its best efforts to obtain for the Fund the
most favorable price and execution available, the Manager,
bearing in mind the Funds best interests at all times, will
consider all factors it deems relevant, including by way of
illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of
the market for the security, the amount of the commission, the
timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and
trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of
the broker or dealer involved and the quality of service
rendered by the broker or dealer in other transactions. Subject
to such policies as the Trustees of the Fund may determine, the
Manager will not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have
breached any duty created by this Contract or otherwise solely
by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker or
dealer that provides brokerage and research services to the
Manager an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio
investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission
another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such
amount of commission was 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
the Managers overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund
and to other clients of the Manager as to which the Manager
exercises investment discretion. The Manager agrees that in
connection with purchases or sales of portfolio investments for
the Funds account, neither the Manager nor any officer, director,
employee or agent of the Manager shall act as a principal or
receive any commission other than as provided in Section 3.
(d) The Fund will pay or reimburse the Manager for the
compensation in whole or in part of such officers of the Fund
and persons assisting them as may be determined from time to
time by the Trustees of the Fund. The Fund will also pay or
reimburse the Manager for all or part of the cost of suitable
office space, utilities, support services and equipment
attributable to such officers and persons as may be determined
in each case by the Trustees of the Fund. The Fund will pay the
fees, if any, of the Trustees of the Fund.
(e) The Manager will not be obligated to pay any expenses
of or for the Fund not expressly assumed by the Manager pursuant
to this Section 1 other than as provided in Section 3.
(f) Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
interested persons and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act
and the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act, subject to any
applicable guidance or interpretation of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff, by the shareholders of the
Fund, the Manager may, from time to time, delegate to a sub
adviser or sub administrator any of the Managers duties under
this Contract, including the management of all or a portion of
the assets being managed. In all instances, however, the
Manager must oversee the provision of delegated services, the
Manager must bear the separate costs of employing any sub
adviser or sub administrator, and no delegation will relieve the
Manager of any of its obligations under this Contract.
2. OTHER AGREEMENTS, ETC.
It is understood that any of the shareholders, Trustees,
officers and employees of the Fund may be a shareholder,
director, officer or employee of, or be otherwise interested in,
the Manager, and in any person controlled by or under common
control with the Manager, and that the Manager and any person
controlled by or under common control with the Manager may have
an interest in the Fund. It is also understood that the Manager
and any person controlled by or under common control with the
Manager may have advisory, management, service or other
contracts with other organizations and persons and may have
other interests and business.
3. COMPENSATION TO BE PAID BY THE FUND TO THE MANAGER.
The Fund will pay to the Manager as compensation for the
Managers services rendered, for the facilities furnished and for
the expenses borne by the Manager pursuant to paragraphs (a),
(b), and (c) of Section 1, a fee, based on the Funds Average Net
Assets, computed and paid monthly at the annual rates set forth
on Schedule B attached to this Contract, as from time to time
amended. The Funds Average Net Assets means the average of all
of the determinations of the Funds net asset value at the close
of business on each business day during each month while this
Contract is in effect. The fee is payable for each month within
15 days after the close of the month.
The fees payable by the Fund to the Manager pursuant to
this Section 3 will be reduced by any commissions, fees,
brokerage or similar payments received by the Manager or any
affiliated person of the Manager in connection with the purchase
and sale of portfolio investments of the Fund, less any direct
expenses approved by the Trustees incurred by the Manager or any
affiliated person of the Manager in connection with obtaining
such payments.
In the event that expenses of the Fund for any fiscal year
exceed the expense limitation on investment company expenses
imposed by any statute or regulatory authority of any
jurisdiction in which shares of the Fund are qualified for offer
or sale, the compensation due the Manager for such fiscal year
will be reduced by the amount of excess by a reduction or refund
thereof. In the event that the expenses of the Fund exceed any
expense limitation which the Manager may, by written notice to
the Fund, voluntarily declare to be effective subject to such
terms and conditions as the Manager may prescribe in such notice,
the compensation due the Manager will be reduced, and if
necessary, the Manager will assume expenses of the Fund, to the
extent required by the terms and conditions of such expense
limitation.
If the Manager serves for less than the whole of a month,
the foregoing compensation will be prorated.
4. ASSIGNMENT TERMINATES THIS CONTRACT; AMENDMENTS OF THIS
CONTRACT.
This Contract will automatically terminate, without the
payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment, provided
that no delegation of responsibilities by the Manager pursuant
to Section 1(f) will be deemed to constitute an assignment. No
provision of this Contract may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed
by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought. No amendment of this
Contract is effective until approved in a manner consistent with
the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act and
any applicable guidance or interpretation of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff.
5. EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION OF THIS CONTRACT.
This Contract is effective upon its execution and will
remain in full force and effect as to a Fund continuously
thereafter (unless terminated automatically as set forth in
Section 4 or terminated in accordance with the following
paragraph) through June 30, 2014, and will continue in effect
from year to year thereafter so long as its continuance is
approved at least annually by (i) the Trustees, or the
shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the respective Fund, and (ii) a majority
of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund or of
the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval.
Either party hereto may at any time terminate this Contract
as to a Fund by not less than 60 days written notice delivered
or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other
party. Action with respect to a Fund may be taken either (i) by
vote of a majority of the Trustees or (ii) by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the respective
Fund.
Termination of this Contract pursuant to this Section 5
will be without the payment of any penalty.
6. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Contract, the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund means the
affirmative vote, at a duly called and held meeting of
shareholders of the respective Fund, (a) of the holders of 67%
or more of the shares of the Fund present (in person or by proxy)
and entitled to vote at the meeting, if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at
the meeting are present in person or by proxy or (b) of the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund
entitled to vote at the meeting, whichever is less.
For the purposes of this Contract, the terms affiliated
person, control, interested person and assignment have their
respective meanings defined in the 1940 Act, subject, however,
to the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act and any
applicable guidance or interpretation of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff; the term approve at least
annually will be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940
Act and the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act and any
applicable guidance or interpretation of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff; and the term brokerage and
research services has the meaning given in the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and under any applicable
guidance or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff.
7. NON LIABILITY OF MANAGER.
In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Manager, or reckless disregard of
its obligations and duties hereunder, the Manager shall not be
subject to any liability to the Fund or to any shareholder of
the Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or connected
with, rendering services hereunder.
8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AND
SHAREHOLDERS.
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
Fund is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this instrument
is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Fund as Trustees
and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out
of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees,
officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon
the assets and property of the respective Fund.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC have each caused this
instrument to be signed on its behalf by its President or a Vice
President thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year
first above written.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Executive Vice President,
Principal Executive Officer, and
Compliance Liaison
▇▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Director of Trustee Relations and
Authorized Person
Schedule A
Not applicable.
Schedule B
0.780% of the first $5 billion of Total Open End Mutual Fund
Average Net Assets;
0.730% of the next $5 billion of Total Open End Mutual Fund
Average Net Assets;
0.680% of the next $10 billion of Total Open End Mutual Fund
Average Net Assets;
0.630% of the next $10 billion of Total Open End Mutual Fund
Average Net Assets;
0.580% of the next $50 billion of Total Open End Mutual Fund
Average Net Assets;
0.560% of the next $50 billion of Total Open End Mutual Fund
Average Net Assets;
0.550% of the next $100 billion of Total Open End Mutual Fund
Average Net Assets;
0.545% of any excess thereafter.
Total Open End Mutual Fund Average Net Assets means the average
of all of the determinations of the aggregate net assets of all
open end funds sponsored by ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Management (excluding the net
assets of such funds investing in, or invested in by, other such
funds, such as ▇▇▇▇▇▇ RetirementReady Funds and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Money
Market Liquidity Fund, to the extent necessary to avoid double
counting of such net assets) at the close of business on each
business day during each month while the Management Contract is
in effect.
