MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
THIS AGREEMENT dated as of this 1st day of May, 2003 between Pioneer
Mid Cap Growth Fund, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), and Pioneer
Investment Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Manager").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
and has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a
registration statement for the purpose of registering its shares for public
offering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act").
WHEREAS, the parties hereto deem it mutually advantageous that the
Manager should be engaged, subject to the supervision of the Trust's Board of
Trustees and officers, to manage the Trust.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits
set forth herein, the Trust and the Manager do hereby agree as follows:
1. The Manager will regularly provide the Trust with investment research, advice
and supervision and will furnish continuously an investment program for the
Trust, consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Trust. The
Manager will determine from time to time what securities shall be purchased for
the Trust, what securities shall be held or sold by the Trust and what portion
of the Trust's assets shall be held uninvested as cash, subject always to the
provisions of the Trust's Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, By-Laws and its registration statements under the 1940 Act and under the
1933 Act covering the Trust's shares, as filed with the Commission, and to the
investment objective, policies and restrictions of the Trust, 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 may from time to
time establish. To carry out such determinations, the Manager will exercise full
discretion and act for the Trust in the same manner and with the same force and
effect as the Trust itself 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.
2. The Manager will, to the extent reasonably required in the conduct of the
business of the Trust and upon the Trust's request, furnish to the Trust
research, statistical and advisory reports upon the industries, businesses,
corporations or securities as to which such requests shall be made, whether or
not the Trust shall at the time have any investment in such industries,
businesses, corporations or securities. The Manager will use its best efforts in
the preparation of such reports and will endeavor to consult the persons and
sources believed by it to have information available with respect to such
industries, businesses, corporations or securities.
3. The Manager will maintain all books and records with respect to the Trust's
securities transactions required by subparagraphs (b)(5), (6), (9) and (10) and
paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being
maintained by the custodian or transfer agent appointed by the Trust) and
preserve such records for the periods prescribed therefor by Rule 31a-2 under
the 1940 Act. The Manager will also provide to the Board of Trustees such
periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request.
4. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Manager, at its own expense, shall
furnish to the Trust office space in the offices of the Manager, or in such
other place as may be agreed upon from time to time, and all necessary office
facilities, equipment and personnel for managing the Trust's affairs and
investments, and shall arrange, if desired by the Trust, for members of the
Manager's organization to serve as officers or agents of the Trust.
5. The Manager shall pay directly or reimburse the Trust for: (i) the
compensation (if any) of the Trustees who are "affiliated persons" (as defined
in the 0000 Xxx) of the Manager and all officers of the Trust as such; and (ii)
all expenses not hereinafter specifically assumed by the Trust where such
expenses are incurred by the Manager or by the Trust in connection with the
management of the affairs of, and the investment and reinvestment of the assets
of, the Trust.
6. The Trust shall assume and shall pay: (i) charges and expenses for fund
accounting, pricing and appraisal services and related overhead, including, to
the extent such services are performed by personnel of the Manager or its
affiliates, office space and facilities, and personnel compensation, training
and benefits; (ii) the charges and expenses of auditors; (iii) the charges and
expenses of any custodian, transfer agent, plan agent, dividend disbursing
agent, registrar or any other agent appointed by the Trust; (iv) issue and
transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with securities
transactions to which the Trust is a party; (v) insurance premiums, interest
charges, dues and fees for membership in trade associations and all taxes and
corporate fees payable by the Trust to federal, state or other governmental
agencies; (vi) fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining
registrations of the Trust and/or its shares with federal regulatory agencies,
state or blue sky securities agencies and foreign jurisdictions, including the
preparation of prospectuses and statements of additional information for filing
with such regulatory authorities; (vii) all expenses of shareholders' and
Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses,
notices, proxy statements and all reports to shareholders and to governmental
agencies; (viii) charges and expenses of legal counsel to the Trust and the
Trustees; (ix) any fees paid by the Trust in accordance with Rule 12b-1
promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the 1940 Act; (x) compensation of
those Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with, or "interested persons"
of, the Manager, the Trust (other than as Trustees), Pioneer Investment
Management USA Inc. or Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.; (xi) the cost of
preparing and printing share certificates; (xii) interest on borrowed money, if
any; and (xiii) any other expense that the Trust, the Manager or any other agent
of the Trust may incur (A) as a result of a change in the law or regulations,
(B) as a result of a mandate from the Board of Trustees with associated costs of
a character generally assumed by similarly structured investment companies or
(C) that is similar to the expenses listed above, and that is approved by the
Board of Trustees (including a majority of the Independent Trustees) as being an
appropriate expense of the Trust.
7. In addition to the expenses described in Section 6 above, the Trust shall pay
all brokers' and underwriting commissions chargeable to the Trust in connection
with securities transactions to which the Trust is a party.
8. The Trust shall pay to the Manager, as compensation for the Manager's
services and expenses assumed hereunder, a fee as set forth below. Management
fees payable hereunder shall be computed daily and paid monthly in arrears.
a) The fee payable hereunder shall be composed of the Basic Fee (defined below)
and a Performance Adjustment (defined below) to the Basic Fee based upon the
investment performance of the Trust in relation to the investment record of a
securities index determined by the Trustees of the Trust to be appropriate over
the same period. The Trustees have designated the Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Growth Index
(the "Index") for this purpose; provided, however, that for all periods prior to
May 1, 2003, the securities index shall be the S&P MidCap 400 Index.
b) From time to time, the Trustees may by a vote of the Trustees of the Trust
voting in person, including a majority of its Trustees who are not parties to
this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of any such
parties, determine 1) that another securities index is a more appropriate
benchmark than the Index for purposes of evaluating the performance of the
Trust; and/or 2) that a Class of shares of the Trust other than Class A is most
appropriate for use in calculating the Performance Adjustment. After ten days'
written notice to the Manager, a successor index (the "Successor Index") may be
substituted for the Index in prospectively calculating the Performance
Adjustment; and/or a different Class of shares may be substituted in calculating
the Performance Adjustment. However, the calculation of that portion of the
Performance Adjustment attributable to any portion of the performance period
prior to the adoption of the Successor Index will still be based upon the
Trust's performance compared to the Index. The use of a different Class of
shares for purposes of calculating the Performance Adjustment shall apply to the
entire performance period so long as such Class was outstanding at the beginning
of such period. In the event that such Class of shares was not outstanding for
all or a portion of the Performance Period, it may only be used in calculating
that portion of the Performance Adjustment attributable to the period during
which such Class was outstanding and any prior portion of the Performance Period
shall be calculated using Class A shares.
c) The Basic Fee is equal to a fee at the annual rate of 0.625% per annum of the
Trust's average daily net assets.
d) The Performance Adjustment consists of an adjustment to the monthly Basic Fee
to be made by applying a Performance Adjustment rate to the average net assets
of the Trust over the Performance Period. The resulting dollar figure will be
added to or subtracted from the Basic Fee depending on whether the Trust
experienced better or worse performance than the Index.
The Performance Adjustment rate is 0.02% per annum for each percentage
point rounded to the nearer point (the higher point if exactly one-half point)
that the Trust's investment performance for the period was better or worse than
the record of the Index as then constituted. The maximum Performance Adjustment
is 0.20% per annum. In addition, as the Trust's average daily net assets over
the Performance Period may differ substantially from the Trust's average daily
net assets during the current year, the Performance Adjustment may be further
adjusted to the extent necessary to insure that the total adjustment to the
Basic Fee on an annualized basis does not exceed 0.20%.
The Performance Period shall consist of a rolling 36 month period
consisting of the most recently completed month and the previous 35 months.
The Trust's investment performance will be measured by comparing the
(i) opening net asset value of one Class A share of the Trust on the first
business day of the performance period with (ii) the closing net asset value of
one Class A share of the Trust as of the last business day of such period. In
computing the investment performance of the Trust and the investment record of
the Index, distributions of realized capital gains, the value of capital gains
taxes per share paid or payable on undistributed realized long-term capital
gains accumulated to the end of such period and dividends paid out of investment
income on the part of the Trust, and all cash distributions of the companies
whose stock comprise the Index, will be treated as reinvested in accordance with
Rule 205-1 or any other applicable rule under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, as the same from time to time may be amended.
The computation of the Performance Adjustment will not be cumulative. A
positive fee adjustment will apply even though the performance of the Trust over
some period of time shorter than the performance period has been behind that of
the Index, and, conversely, a negative fee adjustment will apply for the month
even though the performance of the Trust over some period of time shorter than
the performance period has been ahead of that of the Index.
e) An appropriate percentage (based on the number of days in the current month)
of the annual Performance Adjustment rate shall be multiplied by the average of
the net assets of the Trust (computed in the manner set forth in the Declaration
of Trust of the Trust adjusted as provided above, if applicable) determined as
of the close of business on each business day through out the performance
period. The resulting dollar amount is added to or deducted from the Basic Fee.
9. The Management Fee payable hereunder shall be computed daily and paid monthly
in arrears. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, the Basic Fee
then in effect shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last
business day on which this Agreement is in effect subject to a pro rata
adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current month as a
percentage of the total number of days in such month. The amount of any
Performance Adjustment to the Basic Fee will be computed on the basis of and
applied to net assets averaged over the 36 month period ending on the last
business day on which this Agreement is in effect.
10. The Manager may from time to time agree not to impose all or a portion of
its fee otherwise payable hereunder (in advance of the time such fee or a
portion thereof would otherwise accrue) and/or undertake to pay or reimburse the
Trust for all or a portion of its expenses not otherwise required to be borne or
reimbursed by the Manager. Any such fee reduction or undertaking may be
discontinued or modified by the Manager at any time.
11. It is understood that the Manager may employ one or more sub-investment
advisers (each a "Subadviser") to provide investment advisory services to the
Trust by entering into a written agreement with each such Subadviser; provided,
that any such agreement first shall be approved by the vote of a majority of the
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons"
(as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of the Trust, the Manager or any such Subadviser,
and otherwise approved in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act or an
exemption therefrom. The authority given to the Manager in Sections 1 through 13
hereof may be delegated by it under any such agreement; provided, that any
Subadviser shall be subject to the same restrictions and limitations on
investments and brokerage discretion as the Manager. The Trust agrees that the
Manager shall not be accountable to the Trust or the Trust's shareholders for
any loss or other liability relating to specific investments directed by any
Subadviser, even though the Manager retains the right to reverse any such
investment because, in the event a Subadviser is retained, the Trust and the
Manager will rely almost exclusively on the expertise of such Subadviser for the
selection and monitoring of specific investments.
12. The Manager will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss sustained by reason of the adoption of any investment policy or
the purchase, sale, or retention of any security on the recommendation of the
Manager, whether or not such recommendation shall have been based upon its own
investigation and research or upon investigation and research made by any other
individual, firm or corporation, but nothing contained herein will be construed
to protect the Manager against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement.
13. Nothing in this Agreement will in any way limit or restrict the Manager or
any of its officers, directors, or employees from buying, selling or trading in
any securities for its or their own accounts or other accounts. The Manager may
act as an investment adviser to any other person, firm or corporation, and may
perform management and any other services for any other person, association,
corporation, firm or other entity pursuant to any contract or otherwise, and
take any action or do any thing in connection therewith or related thereto; and
no such performance of management or other services or taking of any such action
or doing of any such thing shall be in any manner restricted or otherwise
affected by any aspect of any relationship of the Manager to or with the Trust
or deemed to violate or give rise to any duty or obligation of the Manager to
the Trust except as otherwise imposed by law. The Trust recognizes that the
Manager, in effecting transactions for its various accounts, may not always be
able to take or liquidate investment positions in the same security at the same
time and at the same price.
14. In connection with purchases or sales of securities for the account of the
Trust, neither the Manager nor any of its directors, officers or employees will
act as a principal or agent or receive any commission except as permitted by the
1940 Act. The Manager shall arrange for the placing of all orders for the
purchase and sale of securities for the Trust's 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 is directed at all times to seek for the
Trust the most favorable execution and net price available except as described
herein. It is also understood that it is desirable for the Trust that the
Manager have access to supplemental investment and market research and security
and economic analyses provided by brokers who may execute brokerage transactions
at a higher cost to the Trust than may result when allocating brokerage to other
brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient
execution. Therefore, the Manager is authorized to place orders for the purchase
and sale of securities for the Trust with such brokers, subject to review by the
Trust's Trustees from time to time with respect to the extent and continuation
of this practice. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers
may be useful to the Manager in connection with its or its affiliates' services
to other clients. In addition, subject to the Manager's obligation to seek the
most favorable execution and net price available, the Manager may consider the
sale of the Trust's shares in selecting brokers and dealers.
15. On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be
in the best interest of the Trust as well as other clients, the Manager may, to
the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the
securities to be sold or purchased in order to obtain the best execution and
lower brokerage commissions, if any. In such event, allocation of the securities
so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will
be made by the Manager in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and
consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such clients.
16. This Agreement shall become effective on the date hereof and shall remain in
force until December 31, 2004 and from year to year thereafter, but only so long
as its continuance is approved in accordance with the requirements of the 1940
Act or an exemption therefrom, subject to the right of the Trust and the Manager
to terminate this contract as provided in Section 17 hereof.
17. Either party hereto may, without penalty, terminate this Agreement by vote
of its Board of Trustees or Directors, as the case may be, or by vote of a
"majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of
the Trust or the Manager, as the case may be, and the giving of 60 days' written
notice to the other party.
18. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "assignment" shall have the meaning
given it by Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act.
19. The Trust agrees that in the event that neither the Manager nor any of its
affiliates acts as an investment adviser to the Trust, the name of the Trust
will be changed to one that does not contain the name "Pioneer" or otherwise
suggest an affiliation with the Manager.
20. The Manager is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Trust
for any purpose. If any occasion should arise in which the Manager gives any
advice to its clients concerning the shares of the Trust, the Manager will act
solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of
the Trust.
21. This Agreement states the entire agreement of the parties hereto, and is
intended to be the complete and exclusive statement of the terms hereof. It may
not be added to or changed orally and may not be modified or rescinded except by
a writing signed by the parties hereto and in accordance with the 1940 Act, when
applicable.
22. This Agreement and all performance hereunder shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
23. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in
any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable
the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction.
24. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers and their seal to be hereto affixed
as of the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Assistant Secretary Treasurer
ATTEST: PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Assistant Secretary Vice President
