SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made as of this 14th day of
August, 2012 by and between Cornerstone Advisors Inc., a Washington corporation
with its principal place of business at 225 -- 000xx Xxxxxx XX, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000 (the "Adviser"), and AlphaSimplex Group, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business at Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the "Sub-Adviser").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority granted to the Adviser by the Board of
Trustees (the "Board") of THE ADVISORS' INNER CIRCLE FUND (the "Trust") on
behalf of the series set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (the "Fund") and
pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of June
22, 2012 between the Adviser and the Fund (the "Management Agreement"), the
Adviser has selected the Sub-Adviser to act as sub-investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain related services, as more fully set forth below, and
to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set
forth herein, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser do hereby agree as follows:
1. THE SUB-ADVISER'S SERVICES.
(a) DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser
shall act as sub-investment adviser with respect to the Fund. In such
capacity, the Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Adviser
and the Board, regularly provide the Fund with investment research, advice
and supervision and shall furnish continuously an investment program for
such Fund assets as may be allocated by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser (the
"Assets"), consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the
Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall determine, from time to time, what investments
shall be purchased for the Fund and what such securities shall be held or
sold by the Fund, subject always to the provisions of the Trust's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and its registration statement on Form
N-1A (the "Registration Statement") under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), covering Fund shares, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), and to the
investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund, as each of
the same shall be from time to time in effect. As used herein, the term
"securities" shall include, but not be limited to, equities and
equity-related instruments, derivative instruments, commodity interests
(including futures and options thereon) and currency forwards. To carry out
such obligations, the Sub-Adviser shall exercise full discretion and act
for the Fund in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the
Fund itself might or could do with respect to purchases, sales or other
transactions, as well as with respect to all other such things necessary or
incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other
transactions, including but not limited to (i) entering into agreements
with respect to
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securities and other investments, for the Fund in the name of the Fund and
at the sole risk of the Fund, (ii) arranging for the delivery of and
payment for any such investments and (iii) making investment
representations on behalf of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Sub-Adviser shall, upon written instructions from the Adviser, effect such
portfolio transactions for the Fund as the Adviser may from time to time
direct; provided however, that the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for
any such portfolio transactions effected upon written instructions from the
Adviser. No reference in this Agreement to the Sub-Adviser having full
discretionary authority over the Fund's investments shall in any way limit
the right of the Adviser, in its sole discretion, to establish or revise
policies in connection with the management of the Fund's assets or to
otherwise exercise its right to control the overall management of the
Fund's assets.
In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the
Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a
sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Fund
concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures
of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any
assets of the Fund other than the Assets.
(b) COMPLIANCE. The Sub-Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements
of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Advisers Act"), the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act"), the Commodity Exchange Act and the respective
rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well as with all other
applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and case law that
relate to the services and relationships described hereunder and to the
conduct of its business as a registered investment adviser. The Sub-Adviser
also agrees to comply with the objectives, policies and restrictions set
forth in the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, of the
Fund and provided to the Sub-Adviser, and with any policies, guidelines,
instructions and procedures approved by the Board or the Adviser and
provided to the Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that any modifications or
amendments to the relevant objectives, policies, instructions, procedures
and/or restrictions shall not be binding on the Sub-Adviser without at
least thirty (30) days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser. In selecting the
Fund's portfolio securities and performing the Sub-Adviser's obligations
hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall cause the Fund to comply with the
diversification and source of income requirements of Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for qualification
as a regulated investment company. The Sub-Adviser shall maintain
compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate to ensure
the compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity undertaken by
the Adviser shall limit the Sub-Adviser's full responsibility for any of
the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall not be
responsible for monitoring the overall compliance of the Fund and/or Trust,
including, without limitation, the oversight of third parties, including,
the Adviser and the other sub-advisers.(1)
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(1) Please confirm how the Adviser and/or the Fund intend to comply with the
revised regulations relating to commodity pools and their operators.
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(c) PROXY VOTING. Pursuant to Board authority, the Adviser has the
authority to determine how proxies with respect to securities that are held
by the Fund shall be voted, and the Adviser may delegate the authority and
responsibility to vote proxies for the Fund's securities to the
Sub-Adviser. So long as proxy voting authority for the Fund has been
delegated to the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser shall provide such assistance to
the Sub-Adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for the Fund as the
Sub-Adviser may from time to time reasonably request, and the Adviser shall
promptly forward to the Sub-Adviser any information or documents necessary
for the Sub-Adviser to exercise its proxy voting responsibilities. The
Sub-Adviser shall carry out such responsibility in accordance with any
instructions that the Board or the Adviser shall provide from time to time,
and at all times in a manner consistent with Rule 206(4)-6 under the
Advisers Act and its fiduciary responsibilities to the Trust. The
Sub-Adviser shall provide periodic reports and keep such records relating
to proxy voting as the Board may reasonably request or as may be necessary
for the Fund to comply with the 1940 Act and other applicable law. Any such
delegation of proxy voting responsibility to the Sub-Adviser may be revoked
or modified by the Board or the Adviser at any time.
The Sub-Adviser is authorized to instruct the Fund's custodian and/or
broker(s) to forward promptly to the Sub-Adviser or designated service
provider copies of all proxies and shareholder communications relating to
securities held in the portfolio of a Fund (other than materials relating
to legal proceedings against the Fund). The Sub-Adviser may also instruct
the Fund's custodian and/or broker(s) to provide reports of holdings in the
portfolio of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser has the authority to engage a
service provider to assist with administrative functions related to voting
Fund proxies. The Trust shall direct the Fund's custodian and/or broker(s)
to provide any assistance requested by the Sub-Adviser in facilitating the
use of a service provider. In no event shall the Sub-Adviser have any
responsibility to vote proxies that are not received on a timely basis. The
Trust acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser, consistent with the Sub-Adviser's
written proxy voting policies and procedures, may refrain from voting a
proxy if, in the Sub-Adviser's discretion, refraining from voting would be
in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
(d) RECORDKEEPING. The Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for the
provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the
Fund, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the
Sub-Adviser to supply to the Adviser, the Trust or its Board the
information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of
all matters pertaining to the Fund's assets advised by the Sub-Adviser
required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being
maintained by the Adviser, or any administrator custodian or transfer agent
appointed by the Fund) relating to its responsibilities provided hereunder
with respect to the Fund, and shall preserve such records for the periods
and in a manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the
"Fund Books and Records"). The Fund Books and Records shall be available to
the Adviser and the Board at any time upon request shall be delivered to
the
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Trust upon the termination of this Agreement and shall be available without
delay during any day the Trust is open for business. [Cornerstone -- Please
confirm which specific Rule 31a-1 records you will want access to, as some
records may include information relating to other clients.]
(e) HOLDINGS INFORMATION AND PRICING. The Sub-Adviser shall provide
regular reports regarding the Fund's holdings, and may, on its own
initiative, furnish the Adviser, the Trust and its Board from time to time
with whatever information the Sub-Adviser believes is appropriate for this
purpose. The Sub-Adviser agrees to notify the Adviser and the Board
promptly if the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any
security held by a Fund may not reflect fair value. The Sub-Adviser agrees
to provide upon request any pricing information of which the Sub-Adviser is
aware to the Adviser, Trust, its Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to
assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for
which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required
in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Fund valuation procedures for the
purpose of calculating the Trust's net asset value in accordance with
procedures and methods established by the Board. [Cornerstone -- Please
provide an example of a sample report.]
(f) COOPERATION WITH AGENTS OF THE ADVISER AND THE TRUST. The
Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to
the Adviser, the Trust and any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians,
any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the
Adviser and the Trust with respect to such information regarding the Fund
as such entities may reasonably request from time to time in the
performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable
requests made by such persons and establish appropriate interfaces with
each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations.
(g) CONSULTATION WITH OTHER SUB-ADVISERS. In performance of its duties
and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult
with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that
is under common control with the Fund concerning transactions for the Fund,
except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Fund. The
Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Fund
other than the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser.
2. CODE OF ETHICS. The Sub-Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics
that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under
the 1940 Act, which it has provided to the Adviser and the Trust. The
Sub-Adviser shall ensure that its Access Persons (as defined in the
Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics) comply in all material respects with the
Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time. Upon request, the
Sub-Adviser shall provide the Trust with (i) a copy of the Sub-Adviser's current
Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) a certification that it
has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from
engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics.
Annually, the Sub-Adviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with
the requirements of Rule 17j-1, concerning the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics to
the Adviser and the Trust's Board. The Sub-Adviser shall respond to requests for
information from the Adviser and
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the Trust as to violations of the Code by Access Persons and the sanctions
imposed by the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall immediately notify the
Adviser and the Trust of any material violation of the Code, whether or not
such violation relates to a security held by any Fund. [Cornerstone - Please
provide a sample of the required certification and/or reports.]
3. INFORMATION AND REPORTING. The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Adviser,
the Trust, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning
the obligations the Sub-Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Adviser
and the Trust may from time to time reasonably request.
(a) NOTIFICATION OF BREACH/COMPLIANCE REPORTS. The Sub-Adviser shall
notify the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer and Adviser immediately upon
detection of (i) any material failure of the Sub-Adviser to manage the Fund
in accordance with the applicable investment objectives and policies or any
applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any of the Fund's or the
Adviser's policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Fund's assets
managed by the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall provide a
quarterly report regarding the Fund's compliance with its investment
objectives and policies, applicable law, including, but not limited to the
1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code, and the Fund's and the Adviser's
policies, guidelines or procedures as applicable to the Sub-Adviser's
obligations under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees
that the Adviser may, in its discretion, provide such quarterly compliance
certifications to the Board. The Sub-Adviser agrees to correct any such
failure promptly and to take any action that the Board and/or the Adviser
may reasonably request in connection with any such breach. Upon request,
the Sub-Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with
supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund
financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event (i) the
Sub-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 (excluding
class action suits in which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by
reason of the Fund's ownership of shares in the defendant) or the
compliance by the Sub-Adviser with the federal or state securities laws or
(ii) an actual change in control of the Sub-Adviser resulting in an
"assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise
proposed to occur. [Cornerstone -Please provide a sample of the required
certification and/or reports.]
(b) INSPECTION. Upon reasonable request, the Sub-Adviser agrees to
make its records and premises (including the availability of the
Sub-Adviser's employees for interviews) to the extent that they relate to
the conduct of services provided to the Fund or the Sub-Adviser's conduct
of its business as an investment adviser reasonably available for
compliance audits by the Adviser or the Trust's officers, employees,
accountants or counsel; in this regard, the Trust and the Adviser
acknowledge that the Sub-Adviser shall have no obligation to make available
(i) proprietary information unrelated to the services provided to the Fund,
(ii) any information related to other clients of the Sub-Adviser or the
investments of such clients, (iii) any information subject to a
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confidentiality agreement or (iv) proprietary information relating to the
Sub-Adviser's investment-related models, strategies, or code, whether
related to the Fund or not.
(c) BOARD AND FILINGS INFORMATION. The Sub-Adviser will also provide
the Adviser and Trust with any information reasonably requested regarding
its management of the Fund required for any meeting of the Board, or for
any shareholder report, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-SAR,
amended registration statement, proxy statement, or prospectus supplement
to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Sub-Adviser will make its
officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time
on reasonable notice to review its investment management services to the
Fund in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and
shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be necessary
in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed
amendments thereto.
(d) TRANSACTION INFORMATION. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the
Adviser and the Trust such information concerning portfolio transactions as
may be necessary to enable the Adviser, Trust or their designated agents to
perform such compliance testing on the Fund and the Sub-Adviser's services
as the Adviser and the Trust may, in their sole discretion, determine to be
appropriate. The provision of such information by the Sub-Adviser to the
Adviser, Trust or their designated agents in no way relieves the
Sub-Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
(e) ADDITIONS AND WITHDRAWALS. The Adviser may make additions to or
cause withdrawals to be made from the Fund at such times and in such
amounts as the Adviser shall determine; provided, however, that the Adviser
shall promptly notify the Sub-Adviser in writing of any additions to the
Fund, including the amounts thereof, and the Adviser shall not cause a
withdrawal to be made from the Fund without delivery to the Sub-Adviser, at
least two (2) business days prior to such withdrawal, written notice of
such intended withdrawal and the amount thereof.
4. BROKERAGE.
(a) PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS. In connection with purchases or sales of
securities for the account of a Fund, neither the Sub-Adviser 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.
(b) PLACEMENT OF ORDERS. The Sub-Adviser shall arrange for the placing
of all orders for the purchase and sale of securities for a Fund's account
with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Adviser. In the selection of
such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, the Sub-Adviser is
directed at all times to seek for a Fund the most favorable execution and
net price available under the circumstances, taking into account factors
including, but not limited to, pricing terms, the size and type of the
transactions, the nature and character of the market for the particular
types of securities being traded, the full range, quality, and reliability
of brokerage services, and any other relevant factors, as described more
fully in the Sub-Adviser's Form ADV Part 2. The Sub-Adviser is not
responsible for any acts or omissions by any broker. It is also understood
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that it is desirable for the Fund that the Sub-Adviser have access to
brokerage and research services provided by brokers who may execute
brokerage transactions at a higher cost to the Fund than may result when
allocating brokerage to other brokers, consistent with section 28(e) of the
1934 Act and any Commission staff interpretations thereof. Therefore, the
Sub-Adviser is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of
securities for the Fund with such brokers, subject to review by the Adviser
and the Board 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 Sub-Adviser in connection with its or its
affiliates' services to other clients.
(c) AGGREGATED TRANSACTIONS. On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems
the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund as
well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the
extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for
securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will
allocate securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as
the expenses incurred in the transaction, in the manner the Sub-Adviser
reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary
obligations to a Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.
(d) AFFILIATED BROKERS. The Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates may
act as broker in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or
other investments for a Fund, subject to: (a) the requirement that the
Sub-Adviser seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy
guidelines determined by the Board and set forth in a Fund's current
Registration Statement; (b) the provisions of the 1940 Act; (c) the
provisions of the Advisers Act; (d) the provisions of the 1934 Act; and (e)
other provisions of applicable law. These brokerage services are not within
the scope of the duties of the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement. Subject to
the requirements of applicable law and any procedures adopted by the Board,
the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates may receive brokerage commissions, fees
or other remuneration from a Fund for these services in addition to the
Sub-Adviser's fees for services under this Agreement.
5. CUSTODY. Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Sub-Adviser to take
or receive physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of a
Fund. The Sub-Adviser will not serve as the custodian to the Fund and (ii) the
Sub-Adviser will not be liable for any act or omission of any custodian. The
Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility for determining or negotiating the
custodial costs. The Fund and/or the Adviser, as applicable, will execute
custodial and other agreements as may be necessary to open an account with
futures clearing brokers and, if necessary, ISDA agreements with an
over-the-counter foreign currency forward prime broker.
6. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Sub-Adviser will bear its own
costs of providing services hereunder. Other than as herein specifically
indicated, the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for a Fund's or the
Adviser's expenses, including brokerage and other expenses incurred in placing
orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments.
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7. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.
(a) PROPERLY REGISTERED. The Sub-Adviser is registered as an
investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and will remain so registered
for the duration of this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser is not prohibited by
the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act from performing the services contemplated
by this Agreement, and to the best knowledge of the Sub-Adviser, there is
no proceeding or investigation that is reasonably likely to result in the
Sub-Adviser being prohibited from performing the services contemplated by
this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the
occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving
as an investment adviser to an investment company. The Sub-Adviser is in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state
law in connection with its investment management operations.
(b) ADV DISCLOSURE. The Sub-Adviser has provided the Trust with a copy
of Part 1 of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the Commission and
its Part 2 as most recently updated and will, promptly after filing any
amendment to its Form ADV with the Commission or updating its Part 2,
furnish a copy of such amendments or updates to the Trust. The information
contained in the Adviser's Form ADV is accurate and complete in all
material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
(c) FUND DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS. The Sub-Adviser has reviewed and will
in the future review, the Registration Statement, summary prospectus,
prospectus, statement of additional information, periodic reports to
shareholders, reports and schedules filed with the Commission (including
any amendment, supplement or sticker to any of the foregoing) and
advertising and sales material relating to the Fund (collectively the
"Disclosure Documents") and represents and warrants that any information or
materials provided by the Sub-Adviser which is included in, or used for the
preparation of, such Disclosure Documents, will contain no untrue statement
of any material fact and will not omit any statement of material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the Sub-Adviser's
statements therein not misleading.
(d) USE OF THE NAME "CORNERSTONE ADVISORS." The Sub-Adviser has the
right to use the name "Cornerstone Advisors" in connection with its
services to the Trust. The Sub-Adviser is not aware of any threatened or
existing actions, claims, litigation or proceedings that would adversely
affect or prejudice the rights of the Sub-Adviser or the Trust to use the
name "Cornerstone Advisors."
(e) INSURANCE. The Sub-Adviser maintains errors and omissions
insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written
notice to the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies
or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its
insurance policies. Furthermore, the Sub-Adviser shall, upon reasonable
request, provide the Trust with any information it may reasonably require
concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
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(f) NO DETRIMENTAL AGREEMENT. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants
that it has no arrangement or understanding with any party, other than the
Trust, that would influence the decision of the Sub-Adviser with respect to
its selection of securities for a Fund, and that all selections shall be
done in accordance with what is in the best interest of the Fund.
(g) CONFLICTS. The Sub-Adviser shall act honestly, in good faith and
in the best interests of the Trust including requiring any of its personnel
with knowledge of Fund activities to place the interest of the Fund first,
ahead of their own interests, in all personal trading scenarios that may
involve a conflict of interest with the Fund, consistent with its fiduciary
duties under applicable law.
(h) REPRESENTATIONS. The representations and warranties in this
Section 7 shall be deemed to be made on the date this Agreement is
executed.
8. THE NAME "CORNERSTONE ADVISORS." The Adviser has granted to the Trust a
license to use the name "Cornerstone Advisors" (collectively, the "Name") as
part of the name of the Fund. The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the
Trust to use the Name as part of the name of the Fund is not exclusive of the
right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the
Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that as between the Sub-Adviser and the
Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name
and the Sub-Adviser agrees to take such action as may reasonably be requested by
the Adviser to give full effect to the provisions of this section. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser agrees that, upon any
termination of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will not thereafter transact any
business using the name "Cornerstone Advisors."
9. SUB-ADVISER'S COMPENSATION. The Fund shall pay to the Sub-Adviser, as
compensation for the Sub-Adviser's services hereunder, a fee, determined as
described in Schedule A that is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Such fee
shall be computed daily and paid not less than monthly in arrears by the Fund.
The Sub-Adviser will be compensated based on the portion of Fund assets
allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser. The method for determining net
assets of the Fund for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method for
determining net assets for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption
prices of Fund shares as described in the Fund's prospectus. In the event of
termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section 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.
10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. In the performance of its duties hereunder, the
Sub-Adviser is and shall be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise
expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no
authority to act for or represent the Fund, the Trust or the Adviser in any way
or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Fund, the Trust or the Adviser. If
any occasion should arise in which the Sub-Adviser gives any advice to its
clients concerning the shares of a Fund, the Sub-Adviser will act solely as
investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.
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11. ASSIGNMENT AND AMENDMENTS. This Agreement shall automatically
terminate, without the payment of any penalty, (i) in the event of its
assignment (as defined in section 2(a)(4) of the 0000 Xxx) or (ii) in the event
of the termination of the Management Agreement; provided that such termination
shall not relieve the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser of any liability incurred
hereunder.
This Agreement 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.
12. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed and
shall remain in full force and effect continually thereafter, subject to
renewal as provided in Section 12(c) and unless terminated automatically as
set forth in Section 11 hereof or until terminated as follows:
(a) The Trust may cause this Agreement to terminate either (i) by vote
of its Board or (ii) with respect to the Fund, upon the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; or
(b) The Adviser may at any time terminate this Agreement by not more
than sixty (60) days' nor less than thirty (30) days' written notice
delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the
Sub-Adviser; or
(c) The Sub-Adviser may at any time terminate this Agreement by not
more than sixty (60) days' nor less than thirty (30) days' written notice
delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Adviser; or
This Agreement shall automatically terminate two years from the date
of its execution unless its renewal is specifically approved at least
annually thereafter by (i) a majority vote of the Trustees, including a
majority vote of such Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust,
the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval; or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund; provided, however, that if the continuance
of this Agreement is submitted to the shareholders of the Fund for their
approval and such shareholders fail to approve such continuance of this
Agreement as provided herein, the Sub-Adviser may continue to serve
hereunder as to the Fund in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder; and
(d) Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section shall be
without payment of any penalty.
In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the
Sub-Adviser shall, immediately upon notice of termination or on such later
date as may be specified in such notice, cease all activity on behalf of
the Fund and with respect to any of its assets, except as expressly
directed by the Adviser, or if the Adviser is no longer serving as an
adviser
10
to the Fund, the Board, or as otherwise required by any fiduciary duties of the
Sub-Adviser under applicable law. In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall deliver
the Fund's Books and Records to the Adviser by such means and in accordance
with such schedule as the Adviser shall direct and shall otherwise cooperate,
as reasonably directed by the Adviser, in the transition of portfolio asset
management to any successor of the Sub-Adviser, including the Adviser.
13. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "Affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund" shall have the meaning as set forth in the 1940
Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the Commission
staff.
(b) "Interested persons" and "Assignment" shall have their respective
meanings as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions
as may be granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act or any
interpretations of the Commission staff.
14. LIABILITY OF THE SUB-ADVISER.
(a) The Sub-Adviser shall have responsibility for the accuracy and
completeness (and liability for the lack thereof) of statements in the
Fund's Disclosure Documents regarding the Sub-Adviser.
(b) The Sub-Adviser shall be liable to the Fund for any loss
(including transaction costs) incurred by the Fund as a result of any
investment made, which due to the Sub-Adviser's negligence of its duties
hereunder, is in contravention of: (i) any investment policy, guideline or
restriction set forth in the Registration Statement or as approved by the
Board from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser; or (ii) applicable
law, including but not limited to the 1940 Act and the Code (including but
not limited to the Fund's failure to satisfy the diversification or source
of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Code) (the investments
described in this subsection (b) collectively are referred to as "Improper
Investments"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall not be
liable for any loss (including transaction costs) incurred by the Fund
which is caused by the Fund, the Adviser, the Board or any of the Fund's
other sub-advisers.
(c) The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, each
affiliated person of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the
1940 Act, and each person who controls the Trust within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (any such person, an "Indemnified Trust Party")
against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities
(including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending any alleged
loss, claim, damage, expense or liability and reasonable counsel fees
incurred in connection therewith) to which any such person may become
subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or other federal or
state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages,
11
expenses or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon: (i) a breach by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement or of the
representations and warranties made by the Sub-Adviser herein; (ii) any
Improper Investment which was due to the Sub-Adviser's negligence; (iii)
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
regarding the Sub-Adviser contained in any Disclosure Document or the
omission or alleged omission from a Disclosure Document of a material fact
regarding the Sub-Adviser required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements regarding the Sub-Adviser therein not misleading; or
(iv) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of its duties hereunder; provided, however, that nothing
herein shall be deemed to protect any Indemnified Trust Party who is a
Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to
its shareholders to which such Indemnified Trust Party would otherwise be
subject by reason or willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's
office with the Trust.
(d) The Adviser and the Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Sub-Adviser, its officers, directors, managers, employees, and affiliates
(any such person, an "Indemnified Sub-Adviser Party") against any and all
losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including the reasonable
cost of investigating and defending any alleged loss, claim, damage,
expense or liability and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection
therewith) to which any such person may become subject under the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or other federal or state statutory law or
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, expenses or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon the (i) material breach of this Agreement by the
Adviser and/or the Fund or (ii) Adviser or the Fund's willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder;
provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect any
Indemnified Sub-Adviser Party against any liability to which such
Indemnified Sub-Adviser Party would otherwise be subject by reason or
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
its duties hereunder.
15. ENFORCEABILITY. 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.
16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and
agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and of
any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of
the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing
liabilities. The Trust's Certificate of Trust, as amended from time to time, is
on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Such Certificate of Trust and the Trust's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust describe in detail the respective responsibilities and
limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of
beneficial interest.
12
[This is addressed in 3(a)]
18. JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
the Sub-Adviser consents to the jurisdiction of courts, both state or federal,
in Massachusetts, with respect to any dispute under this Agreement.
19. PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. The headings of paragraphs contained in this
Agreement are provided for convenience only, form no part of this Agreement and
shall not affect its construction.
20. COUNTERPARTS. 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.
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed
on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.
CORNERSTONE ADVISORS INC.
By: /S/ XXXXX XXXX
---------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx
Title: Secretary
ALPHASIMPLEX GROUP, LLC
By: /S/ XXXXX XXXXXXX
--------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Authorized Representative
14
SCHEDULE A
TO THE
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
DATED AUGUST 14, 2012 BETWEEN
CORNERSTONE ADVISORS INC.
AND
ALPHASIMPLEX GROUP, LLC
The Fund will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser's
services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average
daily net assets of the respective portfolio strategy (e.g., Managed Futures or
Diversifying Strategies) as may be allocated by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser
from time to time under the following fee schedule:
(i) 0.90% on the first $100 million of assets under management in each
individual strategy (ii) 0.75% on the balance above $100 million of assets
under management in each individual strategy
15
