Exhibit (d)(4)(iii)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT, dated as of July 31, 2003 by and between
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, a New York
corporation ("Equitable " or the "Manager"), and Xxxxxx Investment Management,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, EQ Advisors Trust (the "Trust") is registered as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment
Company Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust's shareholders are and will be separate accounts
maintained by insurance companies for variable life insurance policies and
variable annuity contracts (the "Policies") under which income, gains, and
losses, whether or not realized, from assets allocated to such accounts are, in
accordance with the Policies, credited to or charged against such accounts
without regard to other income, gains, or losses of such insurance companies;
WHEREAS, the Trust is and will continue to be a series fund having two
or more investment portfolios, each with its own investment objectives, policies
and restrictions;
WHEREAS, Equitable is registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended ("Advisers Act") and is the
investment manager to the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the
Advisers Act;
WHEREAS, the Investment Company Act prohibits any person from acting as
an investment adviser to a registered investment company except pursuant to a
written contract (the "Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust and Equitable desire to
retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the portfolios
specified in Appendix A hereto (each a "Portfolio" and collectively, the
"Portfolios") in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, Equitable and Adviser agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVISER
The Manager hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser for
each Portfolio and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of
each Portfolio, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust and the
terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Adviser will be an independent
contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or
Manager in any way or
otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust or Manager except as expressly
authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, Manager and the
Adviser.
2. SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY THE ADVISER TO THE TRUST
A. The Adviser will manage the investment and reinvestment of the
assets of each Portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of each
Portfolio, subject always to the direction and control of the Trustees of the
Trust and the Manager and in accordance with the provisions of the Trust's
registration statement, as amended from time to time, and delivered to the
Adviser. In fulfilling its obligations to manage the investment and reinvestment
of the assets of each Portfolio, the Adviser will:
(i) obtain and evaluate such economic, statistical,
financial, and other information affecting the economy generally and
individual companies or industries, the securities of which are included
in the Portfolio or are under consideration for inclusion in the
Portfolio, as the Adviser deems advisable;
(ii) formulate and implement a continuous investment program
for the Portfolio consistent with the investment objectives, policies
and restrictions of the Portfolio as stated in the Trust's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, and such Portfolio's currently effective
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") as amended
from time to time and such documents are delivered to the Adviser, and
use its best efforts to manage the Portfolio in compliance with the
requirements applicable to registered investment companies under
applicable laws and those requirements applicable to both regulated
investment companies and segregated asset accounts under Subchapters M
and L of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Manager
acknowledges and agrees that the Adviser's compliance with its
obligations under this Agreement will be based, in part, on information
reasonably requested by the Adviser to be provided by the Manager or the
trust's administrator as to each Portfolio, including but not limited
to, portfolio security lot level realized and unrealized gain/loss
allocation. The Manager agrees to provide or to cause to be provided to
the Adviser all such information on a timely basis.
(iii) take whatever steps are necessary to implement the
investment program for the Portfolio by the purchase and sale of
securities and other investments authorized under the Trust's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, and such Portfolio's currently
effective Prospectus and SAI (as such documents are delivered to the
Adviser), including the placing of orders for such purchases and sales;
(iv) regularly report to the Trustees of the Trust and the
Manager with respect to the implementation of the investment program
and, in addition, provide such statistical information and special
reports concerning
2
the Portfolio and/or important developments materially affecting the
investments held, or contemplated to be purchased, by the Portfolio, as
may reasonably be requested by the Manager or the Trustees of the Trust,
including attendance at Board of Trustees Meetings, as reasonably
requested, to present such information and reports to the Board;
(v) provide determinations of the fair value of certain
portfolio securities when market quotations are not readily available
for the purpose of calculating the Portfolio's net asset value in
accordance with procedures and methods established by the Trustees of
the Trust; and
(vi) establish appropriate interfaces with the Trust's
administrator and Manager in order to provide such administrator and
Manager with all necessary information requested by the administrator
and Manager.
B. The Adviser, at its expense, will furnish: (i) all necessary
investment and management facilities and investment personnel, including
salaries, expenses and fees of any personnel required for it to faithfully
perform its duties under this Agreement; and (ii) administrative facilities,
including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary and customary
for the management of each Portfolio's portfolio securities. The Adviser shall
otherwise not have any responsibility for the administrative affairs of each
Portfolio, including any responsibility for the determination of net asset value
and shareholder accounting services.
C. The Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all
portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Adviser
will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will
negotiate brokerage commissions if applicable. The Adviser is directed at all
times to seek to execute brokerage transactions for each Portfolio in accordance
with such policies or practices as may be established by the Board of Trustees
and described in the Trust's currently effective Prospectus and SAI, as amended
from time to time and as delivered to the Adviser. In placing orders for the
purchase or sale of investments for each Portfolio, in the name of such
Portfolio or its nominees, the Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for
such Portfolio the most favorable price and best execution available,
considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to
demonstrate compliance with this requirement.
Subject to any appropriate policies and procedures of the Board of
Trustees brought to the attention of the Adviser, the Adviser may, to the extent
authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
cause the Portfolio to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or
research services to the Manager, the Adviser, and each Portfolio an amount of
commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if the Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of
commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or
research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the
Adviser's overall responsibilities to each Portfolio or its other advisory
clients. To the extent authorized by said Section 28(e) and the
3
Trust's Board of Trustees, the Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted
unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise
solely by reason of such action. In addition, subject to seeking the most
favorable price and best execution available, the Manager may instruct the
Adviser from time to time to select particular brokers or dealers to effect
portfolio transactions in consideration of the sale of shares of the Trust by
such brokers or dealers.
D. On occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a
security to be in the best interest of a Portfolio as well as other clients of
the Adviser, the Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities
to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower
brokerage commissions and efficient execution. 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 Adviser in the manner the Adviser considers to
be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to each
Portfolio and to its other clients.
E. The Adviser will maintain all accounts, books and records with
respect to each Portfolio as are required of an investment adviser of a
registered investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act and
Advisers Act and the rules thereunder.
F. The Adviser will, unless and until otherwise directed by the
Manager or the Board of Trustees, exercise all rights of security holders with
respect to securities held by the Portfolio, including, but not limited to:
voting proxies; converting, tendering, exchanging or redeeming securities;
acting as a claimant in class action litigation (including litigation with
respect to securities previously held); and exercising rights in the context of
a bankruptcy or other reorganization.
3. COMPENSATION OF ADVISER
The Manager will pay the Adviser, with respect to each Portfolio, the
compensation specified in Appendix A to this Agreement. Payments shall be made
to the Adviser on the first day of each month; however, this advisory fee will
be calculated on the daily average value of each Portfolio's assets and accrued
on a daily basis.
4. LIABILITY OF ADVISER
Neither the Adviser nor any of its directors, officers, or employees
shall be liable to the Manager, the Portfolios or the Trust for any loss
suffered by the Manager, the Portfolios or the Trust resulting from its acts or
omissions as Adviser to the Portfolios, except for losses to the Manager, the
Portfolios or the Trust resulting from willful misconduct, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of, or from reckless disregard of, the duties of
the Adviser or any of its directors, officers or employees. The Adviser, its
directors, officers or employees shall not be liable to the Manager, the
Portfolios or the Trust for any loss suffered as a consequence of any action or
inaction of other service providers to the Trust in failing to observe the
instructions of the Adviser, provided such action or inaction of
4
such other service providers to the Trust is not a result of the willful
misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of, or from
reckless disregard of, the duties of the Adviser under this Agreement.
5. NON-EXCLUSIVITY
The services of the Adviser to each Portfolio and the Trust are not to
be deemed to be exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render investment
advisory or other services to others (including other investment companies) and
to engage in other activities so long as the services provided hereunder by the
Adviser are not impaired. It is understood and agreed that the directors,
officers, and employees of the Adviser are not prohibited from engaging in any
other business activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from
serving as partners, officers, directors, trustees, or employees of any other
firm or corporation, including other investment companies.
6. SUPPLEMENTAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Adviser may enter into arrangements with other persons affiliated
with the Adviser for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to the
Adviser to better enable it to fulfill its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
7. REGULATION
The Adviser shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies
having jurisdiction over the services provided pursuant to this Agreement any
information, reports, or other material which any such body by reason of this
Agreement may request or require pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.
8. RECORDS
The records relating to the services provided under this Agreement shall
be the property of the Trust and shall be under its control; however, the Trust
shall furnish to the Adviser such records and permit it to retain such records
(either in original or in duplicate form) as it shall reasonably require in
order to carry out its duties. The Adviser may retain copies of all such
records. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, such records (or
copies thereof) shall promptly be returned to the Trust by the Adviser free from
any claim or retention of rights therein. The Adviser shall keep confidential
any information concerning the Manager, the Trust or other service providers to
the Trust obtained in connection with its duties hereunder and disclose such
information only if the Trust has authorized such disclosure or if such
disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state
regulatory authorities.
9. DURATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Portfolio on
the later of the date of its execution. This Agreement will continue in effect
for a period more than one year from the date of its execution only so long as
such continuance
5
is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees, provided
that in such event such continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a
majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) ("Independent Trustees") of any party to this Agreement
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
10. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any
penalty, by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a
Portfolio, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the Manager and the Adviser, or
by the Manager or Adviser on sixty (60) days' written notice to the Trust and
the other party. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the
payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) or in the event the Investment Management Agreement
between the Manager and the Trust is assigned or terminates for any other
reason. This Agreement will also terminate upon written notice to the other
party that the other party is in material breach of this Agreement, unless the
other party in material breach of this Agreement cures such breach to the
reasonable satisfaction of the party alleging the breach within thirty (30) days
after written notice.
11. PROVISION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY ADVISER
The Adviser will promptly notify the Manager in writing of the
occurrence of any of the following events:
A. the Adviser fails to be registered as an investment adviser
under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the
Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to
perform its obligations under this Agreement;
B. the Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any
action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation, at law or in equity, before
or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust;
and/or
C. the chief executive officer or controlling stockholder of the
Adviser or the portfolio manager of a Portfolio changes or there is otherwise an
actual change in control or management of the Adviser.
12. USE OF ADVISER'S NAME
The Manager covenants as follows:
A. It will (and will cause its affiliates to) use the name "Xxxxxx
Investment Management," "Xxxxxx Investments," "Xxxxxx" or any derivation
6
thereof only for so long as this Agreement remains in effect. At such times as
this Agreement is no longer in effect, the Manager will, and will cause the
Trust to, cease using any such name or any other name indicating that the
Portfolio is advised by or otherwise connected to the Adviser. The Manager
acknowledges that the Trust has adopted the names "EQ/Xxxxxx Growth & Income
Value Portfolio," "EQ/Xxxxxx International Equity Portfolio," and "EQ/Xxxxxx
Voyager Portfolio" through permission of the Adviser and agrees that the Adviser
reserves the right to grant the non-exclusive right to use the names set forth
above in the first sentence of this subsection 12.A. or any similar name to
another corporation or other entity, including but not limited to any investment
company which the Adviser or any subsidiary or affiliate therefor is the
investment adviser or manager.
B. It will not, and will cause its affiliates to not, refer to the
Adviser or any affiliate in any prospectus, proxy statement or sales literature
except with the written permission of the Adviser.
C. It will not (and will cause its affiliates to not) engage in
marketing programs (written or otherwise) directed toward Xxxxxx Capital Manager
("PCM") variable annuity contracts which solicit transfers from PCM to the
Manager's products or those of its affiliates. The Manager will not (and will
cause its affiliates to not) create or use marketing materials which provide
direct comparisons between PCM and the Manager's products or those of any of its
affiliates. The Manager will not (and will cause its affiliates to not)
reimburse voluntarily, or enter into any contracts or policy after the date
hereof providing for the reimbursement of, any deferred sales charges to
encourage the transfer of assets from PCM to the Manager's products or those of
any affiliate.
D. It will not permit the Portfolios to be used as a funding
vehicle for variable annuity or life insurance contracts other than those issued
by Equitable or, with the consent of the Adviser, variable annuity or life
insurance contracts utilized by officers, directors, or employees of Equitable.
13. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT
Except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act or the
rules or regulations thereunder or pursuant to any exemptive relief granted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), this Agreement may be amended by
the parties only if such amendment, if material, is specifically approved by the
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio (unless
such approval is not required by Section 15 of the Investment Company Act as
interpreted by the SEC or its staff) and by the vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval. The required shareholder approval shall be effective
with respect to a Portfolio if a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of such Portfolio vote to approve the amendment, notwithstanding that the
amendment may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of any other portfolio affected by the amendment or all the
portfolios of the Trust.
7
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the
parties with respect to the Portfolio listed in Appendix A.
15. HEADINGS
The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
16. NOTICES
All notices required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be
delivered or mailed to the last known business address of each applicable party
in person or by registered mail or a private mail or delivery service providing
the sender with notice of receipt. The specific person to whom notice shall be
provided for each party will be specified in writing to the other party. Notice
shall be deemed given on the date delivered or mailed in accordance with this
paragraph.
17. SEVERABILITY
Should any portion of this Agreement for any reason be held to be void
in law or in equity, the Agreement shall be construed, insofar as is possible,
as if such portion had never been contained herein.
18. GOVERNING LAW
The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the applicable
provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the laws of the
State of Delaware, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with
applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
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 Investment Company Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the Investment Company Act and to interpretations 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 SEC validly issued
pursuant to the Investment Company Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested persons,"
"assignment," and "affiliated persons," as used herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act. In addition,
where the effect of a requirement of the Investment Company Act reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the
SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be
deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed under seal by their duly authorized officers as of the date first
mentioned above.
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE
SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Executive Vice President
XXXXXX INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Silver
-------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Silver
Title: Senior Managing Director
9
APPENDIX A
The Manager shall pay the Adviser, at the end of each calendar month,
compensation computed daily at an annual rate equal to the following:
Portfolio Advisory Fee
--------- ------------
EQ/Xxxxxx Growth & Income Value 0.375% of the Portfolio's average daily
Portfolio net assets up to and including $150
million; 0.325% of the Portfolio's average
daily net assets over $150 million and up
to and including $300 million; and 0.225%
of the Portfolio's average daily net
assets in excess of $300 million.
EQ/Xxxxxx International Equity 0.650% of the Portfolio's average daily
Portfolio net assets up to and including $150
million; 0.550% of the Portfolio's average
daily net assets over $150 million and up
to and including $300 million; 0.400% of
the Portfolio's average daily net assets
over $300 million and up to and including
$500 million; and 0.350% of the
Portfolio's average daily net assets in
excess of $500 million.
EQ/Xxxxxx Voyager Portfolio 0.425% of the Portfolio's average daily
net assets up to and including $150
million; 0.350%% of the Portfolio's
average daily net assets over $150 million
and up to and including $300 million;
0.225% of the Portfolio's average daily
net assets over $300 million and up to and
including $500 million; and 0.200% of the
Portfolio's average daily net assets in
excess of $500 million.
Amended and Restated: July 31, 2003
10