INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN SARATOGA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND
___________________ REGARDING THE SARATOGA ADVANTAGE TRUST
AGREEMENT made this ___ day of _____, 200__ between Saratoga Capital
Management, a Delaware general partnership (the "Manager") and _________, a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of ________ (the "Advisor").
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the "Manager's
Agreement") with The Saratoga Advantage Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end
investment company organized in series form with at least seven (7) separate
portfolios, one of which is the __________ Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a
diversified portfolio, pursuant to which the Manager furnishes continuous
investment advice and direction; and
WHEREAS, the Manager's Agreement provides that the Manager may, at its own
expense, contract for such advisory and research services as it deems necessary
or desirable to fulfill such obligations; and
WHEREAS, the Advisor is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940; and
WHEREAS, the Manager desires to retain the Advisor to provide
continuous investment and direction concerning the Portfolio and the Advisor is
willing to provide such management;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed between the Manager and the Advisor as follows:
1. Appointment. The Manager hereby retains the Advisor to manage the
Portfolio, subject to the provisions of the Trust registration statement and the
Portfolio's prospectus and overall supervision by the Manager and the Trust's
Board of Trustees. The Manager will continue to have general responsibility for
all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Manager's Agreement and
will oversee and review the Advisor's performance of its duties under this
Agreement. The day-to-day management of the Portfolio's assets will be the
responsibility of the Advisor.
2. Expenses. The Advisor assumes as its own expense, or agrees to pay the
cost of all services provided by it pursuant to Paragraph 1, above, provided
that it will not be responsible for any expenses specifically assumed by the
Trust pursuant to the Manager's Agreement. The Advisor will, for all purposes
herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor and will, except as expressly
provided or authorized (herein or otherwise) have no authority to act for or on
behalf of the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the
Trust.
3. Investment Activities. (a) The Advisor will direct the investment of the
Portfolio's assets on a discretionary accordance with applicable law and the
investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the then-current
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information relating to the Portfolio
contained in its Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940
and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; in accordance with the investment
objectives, policies and restrictions from time to time provided by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust (the 'Board'), and communicated by the Manager to the
Advisor and; subject to such further reasonable limitations as the Manager may
from time to time impose by written notice to the Advisor. The Advisor hereby
acknowledges that it has carefully reviewed the Prospectus, Statement of
Additional Information, Declaration of Trust and By-laws, if any, of the Trust
and it agrees that it will make investments solely for the purpose of achieving
the stated investment objectives of the Portfolio.
(b) The Advisor hereby specifically acknowledges and represents:
(i) The Advisor has provided the Manager with full information regarding
the historical track record of investment performance.
(ii) The Advisor has carefully reviewed the portions of the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information stating the Advisor's historical track
record of investment performance and investment methodology and that all
representations made therein are accurate and true and there are no material
omissions.
(iii) The Advisor will direct the investment of the Portfolio's assets in
the same manner in which the Advisor has directed the investment of the assets
which produced the historical track record of investment performance as stated
in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The Advisor
represents that nothing contained in Paragraph 3(a) or elsewhere in this
Agreement, the Prospectus, or the Statement of Additional Information is
inconsistent with the Advisor directing the investment of the Portfolio's assets
in said manner.
(c) The Advisor will place orders to purchase and sell securities (and
where appropriate commodity futures contracts and other investments) for the
Portfolio.
4. Brokerage.
(a) The Advisor agrees that it will place orders pursuant to its investment
determinations for the Portfolio either directly with the issuer or with brokers
or dealers by it in accordance with the standards specified in Subparagraphs
4(b) and 4(c) below. The Advisor may place orders for the Portfolio with
affiliates or interested parties of the Trust or the Manager in accordance with
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T)
thereunder, Section 17(e) of the Act and Rule 17e-1 thereunder and other
applicable laws and regulations.
(b) In placing orders with brokers and dealers, the Advisor will use its
best efforts to best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall
terms available for portfolio transaction, the Advisor will consider all factors
it deems relevant including, but not limited to, the breadth of the market in
the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution
capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of any commission for
the specific transaction and on a continuing basis.
(c) In selecting brokers or dealers to execute a particular transaction and
in evaluating the best overall terms available, the Advisor may consider the
brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided to the Trust.
5. Compensation.
(a) As compensation for services performed and costs assumed hereunder, the
Manager agrees to pay the Advisor a fee that is computed daily and paid monthly
at the following annual rate: _______________ (the 'Portfolio Advisory Fee'),
reduced in the same percentage as the Manager when the Manager reduces its fee
to the Portfolio.
(b) The Portfolio Advisory Fee shall accrue as of the date that the
Portfolio commences investment operations. Upon any termination of this
Agreement the Advisory Fee will cease to accrue as of the termination date
specified in the notice of termination to the Advisor. Accrued Portfolio
Advisory Fees will be paid to the upon receipt by the Manager of its fees for
the same accrual period from the Portfolio.
(c) For the purpose of determining fees payable to the Advisor, the value
of the Trust's net assets shall be computed at the times and in the manner
specified in the Trust's Prospectus and/or the Statement of Additional
Information.
6. Duration and Termination.
(a) This Agreement will become effective as of the date hereof and, unless
sooner terminated as herein provided, shall remain in effect for two years from
said date subject to the approval of the Trust's shareholders. Thereafter, this
Agreement will continue in effect from year to year, subject to its termination
provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof if such continuation shall
be specifically approved at least annually by the Board and by the vote of a
majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or
interested persons of any such party or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Trust. The Advisor shall furnish to the Manager or the
Board, promptly upon request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to
the Board, promptly upon request, such information as may reasonably be
necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or
amendment hereof.
(b) This Agreement may not be amended, transferred, sold or in any manner
hypothecated or pledged by the Advisor without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust. The Manager may
immediately terminate this Agreement without notice to any party in the event of
its assignment by the Advisor.
(c) This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of
any penalty, by the Manager, by the Board or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Trust, upon written notice to the Advisor.
This Agreement may be terminated by the Advisor upon 100 days written notice to
the Manager and the Trust.
7. Information to be Provided to the Manager and the Trust.
(a) The Advisor will keep the Manager and the Trust immediately informed of
all developments materially affecting the Portfolio, the Advisor's ability to
direct the investment of the Portfolio and/or the perception of the Advisor as
an appropriate source of investment advice and shall, on the Advisor's own
initiative, furnish immediately to the Manager and the Trust such information as
is appropriate for this purpose.
The information deemed appropriate for the purpose of this Subparagraph
includes, but is not limited to, any matters with regard to: the personnel of
the Advisor, the investment or discipline of the Advisor, the financial
condition of the Advisor, the historical investment performance of the Advisor,
changes or amendments to any federal, state, or local registration statements or
other licensing documents, the securities of the Portfolio and all matters
reasonably related to the Manager's retention of the Advisor.
(b) The Advisor agrees that it will immediately notify the Manager and the
Trust in the event that the Advisor or any of its affiliates: (i) becomes
subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Advisor from serving
as investment advisor pursuant to this Agreement; or (ii) is or expects to
become the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the
SEC or other regulatory authority. The Advisor has provided the information
about itself set forth in the Trust's Registration Statement and has reviewed
the entire description of its operations, duties and responsibilities as stated
therein and acknowledges that they are true and correct and contain no material
misstatement or omission, and it further agrees to notify the Manager and the
Trust's Administrator immediately of any material fact known to the Advisor
respecting or to the Advisor that is not contained in the Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information of the Trust, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material
respect.
(c) The Advisor represents that it is an investment adviser registered
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and other applicable laws and that the
statements contained in the Advisor's registration under the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940 on Form ADV, as of the date hereof, are true and correct and do not
omit any material facts required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein not misleading. The Advisor agrees to maintain the
completeness and accuracy of its registration on Form ADV in accordance with all
legal requirements relating to that Form and to timely provide the Manager with
an amended or changed copy whenever such required to be filed. The Advisor
acknowledges that it is an 'investment advisor' to the portfolio within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of
1940.
(d) The Advisor will make available promptly upon the Manager's request
such as the Manager may reasonably use in discharging its duties under the
Manager's Agreement, which reports may be distributed by the Manager to the
Board. A representative of the Advisor will attend, at the request of the
Manager, regular quarterly meetings of the Board, meetings of the Trust's
shareholders and special meetings upon reasonable notice.
(e) The Advisor will maintain and keep current and preserve on behalf of
the Trust all records required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder,
as well as those that may be required by the Investment Advisors Act of 1940,
the Internal Revenue Code, applicable and state securities laws and laws of
foreign countries and juridical subdivisions, in the manner provided by such
laws or regulations and such additional records as required by the Manager. The
Advisor acknowledges that such records are the property of the Trust and will be
surrendered to the Trust promptly upon request. The Manager agrees to furnish to
the Advisor at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy, statements, reports
to stockholders, sales reports and any other information relative to management
of the assets or organization and qualifications of the Trust.
8. Services to Other Companies or Accounts.
(a) It is understood that the services of the Advisor are not exclusive,
and nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Advisor from providing
investment management or similar services or from engaging in other activities,
except as provided in Subparagraphs 8(b), 8(c), and 8(d) below.
(b) The Advisor agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, neither it
nor any of its affiliated persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940) shall accept retention as an investment advisor, investment subadvisor,
investment manager, or similar service provider to any investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 nor any investment firm that
seeks to market an asset allocation program similar in nature to the Trust.
(c) In the event that the Advisor voluntarily terminates this Agreement,
the Advisor agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliated persons (as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940) shall for a period of one (1) year after
the termination of this Agreement accept or solicit any assets, accounts, or
clients of the Trust for any purpose whatsoever.
(d) In the event that the Advisor is terminated by the Manager, the Advisor
agrees either it nor any of its affiliated persons (as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940) shall accept or solicit any assets, accounts, or clients of
the Trust for any purpose whatsoever for a period of one (1) year from the
termination of this Agreement.
(e) The provisions set forth in Subparagraphs 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), and 8(d)
above shall not apply to the continuation of any contractual relationship to
which the Advisor is a party that is in effect on the date of this Agreement and
that is disclosed in writing to the Manager prior to the execution of this
Agreement.
(f) When the Advisor recommends the purchase or sale of a security for
other investment companies and other clients, and at the same time the Advisor
recommends the purchase or sale of the same security for the Trust, it is
understood that in light of its fiduciary duty to the Trust, such transactions
will be executed on a basis that is fair and equitable to the Trust.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) The Advisor shall not be liable for any investment loss suffered by the
Portfolio in connection with matters to which this Agreement relates, except in
the case of the Advisor's negligence, actual misconduct or violation of any
applicable statute; provided, however, that this limitation shall not act to
relieve the Advisor from any responsibility, or duty which the Advisor may have
under any federal or state securities acts or other applicable statutes.
(b) Any questions of interpretation of any term or provision of this
Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision
of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the
1940 Act, to rules, regulations or the Securities and Exchange Commission
validly issued pursuant to said Act and interpretations thereof, if any, by the
United States courts. Specifically, the terms 'vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities', 'interested persons', 'assignment', and
'affiliated person', as used herein, shall have the meanings assigned to them by
Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of
Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule,
regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of
special or of general application, such provisions shall be deemed to
incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
(c) The Manager shall indemnify and hold harmless the Advisor, its officers
and directors and each person, if any, who controls the Advisor within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 (any and all such persons
shall be referred to as 'Indemnified Party'), against any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or
defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or and reasonable counsel
fees incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any matter to which
this Agreement relates. However, in no case (i) is this indemnity to be deemed
to protect any particular Indemnified Party against any liability to which such
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of misfeasance, bad faith
or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement; nor (ii) is the Manager to be
liable under this indemnity with respect to any claim made against any
particular Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified
the Manager in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first
legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been
served upon the Advisor or such controlling persons.
The Advisor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Manager and the Trust and
each of their directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Manager and the Trust against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
described in the foregoing indemnify but only with respect to the Advisor's
misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement. In case any action shall be brought the Manager or any person so
indemnified, in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Advisor,
the Advisor shall have the rights and duties given to the Advisor by the
provisions of Subsections (i) and (ii) of this Subparagraph.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in Subparagraph 9(b) hereof, and as may be
required under applied federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by the laws
of the State of New York.
(e) The Advisor acknowledges that the name of the Trust may be changed at
any time at the sole discretion of the Trustees and that such change will in no
way effect the obligations of the Advisor under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their
respective corporate seals, if any, to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and
year first written.
SARATOGA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Attest: _________________ By: ______________________________
Attest: _________________ By: _____________________________
