PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUND, INC.
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
SMALLCAP GROWTH SERIES
AGREEMENT executed as of the 1st day of March, 1998, by and between PRINCIPAL
MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, an Iowa Corporation (hereinafter called "the Manager")
and XXXXXX ASSOCIATES, INC., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter called "the
Sub-Advisor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Manager is the manager and investment adviser to each series of
Principal Variable Contracts Fund, Inc., (the "Fund"), an open-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Manager desires to retain the Sub-Advisor to furnish it with
portfolio selection and related research and statistical services in connection
with the investment advisory services which the Manager has agreed to provide to
the Fund, and the Sub-Advisor desires to furnish such services; and
WHEREAS, The Manager has furnished the Sub-Advisor with copies properly
certified or authenticated of each of the following and will promptly provide
the Sub-Advisor with copies properly certified or authenticated of any amendment
or supplement thereto:
(a) Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement") with the Fund;
(b) The Fund's registration statement and financial statements as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(c) The Fund's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws;
(d) Policies, procedures or instructions adopted or approved by the Board
of Directors of the Fund relating to obligations and services provided
by the Sub-Advisor.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment of Sub-Advisor
In accordance with and subject to the Management Agreement, the Manager
hereby appoints the Sub-Advisor to perform the services described in
Section 2 below for investment and reinvestment of the securities and
other assets of the SmallCap Growth Series of the Fund (hereinafter
called "the Series"), subject to the control and direction of the
Fund's Board of Directors, for the period and on the terms hereinafter
set forth. The Sub-Advisor accepts such appointment and agrees to
furnish the services hereinafter set forth for the compensation herein
provided. The Sub-Advisor shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be
an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or
authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund or the
Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or the
Manager.
2. Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Sub-Advisor
(a) Provide investment advisory services, including but not limited
to research, advice and supervision for the Series.
(b) Furnish to the Board of Directors of the Fund for approval (or any
appropriate committee of such Board), and revise from time to time
as economic conditions require, a recommended investment program
for the Series consistent with the Series' investment objective
and policies.
(c) Implement the approved investment program by placing orders for
the purchase and sale of securities without prior consultation
with the Manager and without regard to the length of time the
securities have been held, the resulting rate of portfolio
turnover or any tax considerations, subject always to the
provisions of the Fund's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
and the requirements of the 1940 Act, as each of the same shall be
from time to time in effect.
(d) Advise and assist the officers of the Fund in taking such steps as
are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of its
Board of Directors, and any appropriate committees of such Board,
regarding the general conduct of the investment business of the
Series.
(e) Report to the Board of Directors of the Fund at such times and in
such detail as the Board of Directors may reasonably deem
appropriate in order to enable it to determine that the investment
policies, procedures and approved investment program of the Series
are being observed.
(f) Provide assistance and recommendations for the determination of
the fair value of certain securities when reliable market
quotations are not readily available for purposes of calculating
net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods
established by the Fund's Board of Directors.
(g) Furnish, at its own expense, (i) all necessary investment and
management facilities, including salaries of clerical and other
personnel required for it to execute its duties faithfully, and
(ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical
personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the
investment advisory affairs of the Series.
(h) Select brokers and dealers to effect all transactions for the
Series, place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or
issuers, and negotiate brokerage commissions if applicable. To
the extent consistent with applicable law, purchase or sell
orders for the Series may be aggregated with contemporaneous
purchase or sell orders of other clients of the Sub- Advisor. The
Sub-Advisor shall use its best efforts to obtain execution of
transactions for the Series at prices which are advantageous to
the Series and at commission rates that are reasonable in
relation to the benefits received. However, the Sub-Advisor may
select brokers or dealers on the basis that they provide
brokerage, research or other services or products to the Series
and/or other accounts serviced by the Sub-Advisor. To the extent
consistent with applicable law, the Sub-Advisor may pay a broker
or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities
transaction in excess of the amount of commission or dealer
spread another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting
that transaction if the Sub-Advisor determines in good faith that
such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value
of the brokerage and research products and/or services provided
by such broker or dealer. This determination, with respect to
brokerage and research services or products, may be viewed in
terms of either that particular transaction or the overall
responsibilities which the Sub-Advisor and its affiliates have
with respect to the Series or to accounts over which they
exercise investment discretion. Not all such services or products
need be used by the Sub-Advisor in managing the Series.
(i) Maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the
Series as are required of an investment advisor of a registered
investment company pursuant to the 1940 Act and Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Investment Advisors Act") and the rules
thereunder.
3. Compensation
As full compensation for all services rendered and obligations assumed
by the Sub-Advisor hereunder with respect to the Series, the Manager
shall pay the compensation specified in Appendix A to this Agreement.
4. Liability of Sub-Advisor
Neither the Sub-Advisor nor any of its directors, officers or employees
shall be liable to the Manager, the Fund or its shareholders for any
loss suffered by the Manager or the Fund resulting from any error of
judgment made in the good faith exercise of the Sub-Advisor's
investment discretion in connection with selecting investments for the
Series except for losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence of, or from reckless disregard of, the duties of
the Sub-Advisor or any of its directors, officers or employees.
5. Supplemental Arrangements
The Sub-Advisor may enter into arrangements with other persons
affiliated with the Sub-Advisor or with unaffiliated third parties to
better enable the Sub-Advisor to fulfill its obligations under this
Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to the
Sub-Advisor, subject to written notification to and approval of the
Manager and the Board of Directors of the Fund.
6. Regulation
The Sub-Advisor 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 may request or require pursuant to applicable laws and
regulations.
7. Duration and Termination of This Agreement
This Agreement shall become effective on the latest of (i) the date of
its execution, (ii) the date of its approval by a majority of the Board
of Directors of the Fund, including approval by the vote of a majority
of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of
the Manager, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company or the Fund cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval or (iii) if required by the 1940 Act, the date of its approval
by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. It
shall continue in effect thereafter from year to year provided that the
continuance is specifically approved at least annually either by the
Board of Directors of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund and in either event by a vote
of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not
interested persons of the Manager, Principal Mutual Life Insurance
Company, the Sub-Advisor or the Fund cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval.
If the shareholders of the Series fail to approve the Agreement or any
continuance of the Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the
1940 Act, the Sub-Advisor will continue to act as Sub-Advisor with
respect to the Series pending the required approval of the Agreement or
its continuance or of any contract with the Sub-Advisor or a different
manager or sub-advisor or other definitive action; provided, that the
compensation received by the Sub-Advisor in respect to the Series
during such period is in compliance with Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act.
This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be terminated at any
time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors of
the Fund, the Sub-Advisor or the Manager or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. In interpreting
the provisions of this Section 7, the definitions contained in Section
2(a) of the 1940 Act (particularly the definitions of "interested
person," "assignment" and "voting security") shall be applied.
8. Amendment of this Agreement
No material amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until
approved, if required by the 1940 Act or the rules, regulations,
interpretations or orders issued thereunder, by vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series and by
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not
interested persons of the Manager, the Sub-Advisor, Principal Mutual
Life Insurance Company or the Fund cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval.
9. General Provisions
(a) Each party agrees to perform such further reasonable acts and
execute such further reasonable documents as are necessary to
effectuate the purposes hereof. This Agreement shall be construed
and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Iowa. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or
effect.
(b) Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and
delivered or mailed postage pre-paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such
notices. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed
that the address of the Manager for this purpose shall be The
Principal Financial Group, Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000, and the
address of the Sub-Advisor shall be 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx
000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, ATTN: Xxxxx Xxx.
(c) The Sub-Advisor will promptly notify the Manager in writing of the
occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) the Sub-Advisor fails to be registered as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act or under the laws of
any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Advisor is required to be
registered as an investment advisor in order to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.
(2) the Sub-Advisor 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 Series.
(d) The Manager shall provide (or cause the Series custodian to
provide) timely information to the Sub-Advisor regarding such
matters as the composition of the assets of the Series, cash
requirements and cash available for investment in the Series, and
all other reasonable information as may be necessary for the
Sub-Advisor to perform its duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(e) This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of
the parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement on the
date first above written.
PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
By /S/ A.S. FILEAN
A. S. Filean, Vice President
XXXXXX ASSOCIATES, INC.
By /S/ XXXXXX X. XXXXX
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, President
APPENDIX A
The Sub-Advisor shall serve as investment sub-advisor for the Smallcap
Growth Series of the Fund. The Manager will pay the Sub-Advisor, as full
compensation for all services provided under this Agreement, a fee computed at
an annual rate as follows (the "Sub-Advisor Percentage Fee"):
First $100,000,000 of Assets........................ 0.50%
Next $200,000,000 of Assets......................... 0.45%
Assets above $300,000,000........................... 0.40%
The Sub-Advisor Percentage Fee shall be accrued for each calendar day and
the sum of the daily fee accruals shall be paid monthly to the Sub-Advisor. The
daily fee accruals will be computed by multiplying the fraction of one over the
number of calendar days in the year by the applicable annual rate described
above and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series as determined
in accordance with the Series' prospectus and statement of additional
information as of the close of business on the previous business day on which
the Series was open for business.
