EXHIBIT (d)(2)(i)
NEW ENGLAND EQUITY INCOME FUND
Sub-Advisory Agreement
(Vaughan, Nelson, Scarborough & XxXxxxxxxx, X.X.)
Sub-Advisory Agreement (this "Agreement") entered into as of July 27,
1999, by and among New England Funds Trust III, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Trust"), with respect to its New England Equity Income Fund series (the
"Series"), New England Funds Management, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(the "Manager"), and Vaughan, Nelson, Scarborough & XxXxxxxxxx, X.X., a Delaware
limited partnership (the "Sub-Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into an Advisory Agreement dated
August 30, 1996 (the "Advisory Agreement") with the Trust, relating to the
provision of portfolio management and administrative services to the Series;
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement provides that the Manager may delegate
any or all of its portfolio management responsibilities under the Advisory
Agreement to one or more sub-advisers;
WHEREAS, the Manager and the Trustees of the Trust desire to retain the
Sub-Adviser to render portfolio management services in the manner and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
set forth in this Agreement, the Trust, the Manager and the Sub-Adviser agree as
follows:
1. Sub-Advisory Services.
a. The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the
Manager and of any administrator appointed by the Manager (the
"Administrator"), manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets
of the Series. The Sub-Adviser shall manage the Series in conformity
with (1) the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Series set forth in the Trust's prospectus and statement of additional
information relating to the Series, (2) any additional policies or
guidelines established by the Manager or by the Trust's trustees that
have been furnished in writing to the Sub-Adviser and (3) the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") applicable to
"regulated investment companies" (as defined in Section 851 of the
Code), all as from time to time in effect (collectively, the
"Policies"), and with all applicable provisions of law, including
without limitation all applicable provisions of the Investment Company
Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser is authorized, in its
discretion and without prior consultation with the Manager, to buy,
sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds and other
securities and investment instruments on behalf of the Series, without
regard to the length of time the securities have been held and the
resulting rate of portfolio turnover or any tax considerations; and the
majority or the whole of the Series may be invested in such proportions
of stocks, bonds, other securities or investment instruments, or cash,
as the Sub-Adviser shall determine.
b. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Manager and the Administrator
monthly, quarterly and annual reports concerning portfolio transactions
and performance of the Series in such form as may be mutually agreed
upon, and agrees to review the Series and discuss the management of it.
The Sub-Adviser shall permit all books and records with respect to the
Series to be inspected and audited by the Manager and the Administrator
at all reasonable times during normal business hours, upon reasonable
notice. The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Manager with such other
information and reports as may reasonably be requested by the Manager
from time to time, including without limitation all material requested
by or required to be delivered to the Trustees of the Trust.
c. The Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Manager a copy of the
Sub-Adviser's Form ADV as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and a list of the persons whom the Sub-Adviser wishes to
have authorized to give written and/or oral instructions to custodians
of assets of the Series.
2. Obligations of the Manager.
a. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Custodian, as defined
in Section 3, to provide) timely information to the Sub-Adviser
regarding such matters as the composition of assets of the Series, cash
requirements and cash available for investment in the Series, and all
other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Sub-Adviser to
perform its responsibilities hereunder.
b. The Manager has furnished the Sub-Adviser a copy of the
prospectus and statement of additional information of the Series and
agrees during the continuance of this Agreement to furnish the
Sub-Adviser copies of any revisions or supplements thereto at, or, if
practicable, before the time the revisions or supplements become
effective. The Manager agrees to furnish the Sub-Adviser with minutes
of meetings of the Trustees of the Trust applicable to the Series to
the extent they may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser, and with
copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Series to its
shareholders, and any further materials or information which the
Sub-Adviser may reasonably request to enable it to perform its
functions under this Agreement.
3. Custodian. The Manager shall provide the Sub-Adviser with a copy
of the Series' agreement with the custodian designated to hold the assets of the
Series (the "Custodian") and any modifications thereto (the "Custody
Agreement"), copies of such modifications to be provided to the Sub-Adviser a
reasonable time in advance of the effectiveness of such modifications. The
assets of the Series shall be maintained in the custody of the Custodian
identified in, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, the Custody
Agreement (or any sub-custodian properly appointed as provided in the Custody
Agreement). The Sub-Adviser shall have no liability for the acts or omissions of
the Custodian, unless such act or omission is taken in reliance upon instruction
given to the Custodian by a representative of the Sub-Adviser properly
authorized to give such instruction under the Custody Agreement. Any assets
added to the Series shall be delivered directly to the Custodian.
4. Expenses. Except for expenses specifically assumed or agreed to be
paid by the Sub-Adviser pursuant hereto, the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for
any organizational, operational or business expenses of the Manager or the Trust
including, without limitation, (a) interest and taxes, (b) brokerage commissions
and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other
investment instruments with respect to the Series, and (c) custodian fees and
expenses. Any reimbursement of advisory fees required by any expense limitation
provision of any law shall be the sole responsibility of the Manager. The
Manager and the Sub-Adviser shall not be considered as partners or participants
in a joint venture. The Sub-Adviser will pay its own expenses incurred in
furnishing the services to be provided by it pursuant to this Agreement. Neither
the Sub-Adviser nor any affiliated person thereof shall be entitled to any
compensation from the Manager or the Trust with respect to service by any
affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser as an officer or trustee of the Trust
(other than the compensation to the Sub-Adviser payable by the Manager pursuant
to Section 6 hereof).
5. Purchase and Sale of Assets. The Sub-Adviser shall place all
orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the Series with brokers or
dealers selected by the Sub-Adviser, which may include brokers or dealers
affiliated with the Sub-Adviser, provided such orders comply with Rule 17e-1
under the 1940 Act in all respects. 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-Adviser. The
Sub-Adviser 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-Adviser 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-Adviser. To the extent consistent with applicable
law, the Sub-Adviser 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-Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of
commission was 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-Adviser 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-Adviser in managing the Series.
6. Compensation of the Sub-Adviser. As full compensation for all
services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses borne by the Sub-Adviser
hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall be paid at the annual rate of 0.40% of the
first $200 million of the average daily net assets of the Series, 0.325% of the
next $300 million of such assets and 0.275% of such assets in excess of $500
million. Such compensation shall be paid by the Trust (except to the extent that
the Trust, the Sub-Adviser and the Manager otherwise agree in writing from time
to time). Such compensation shall be payable monthly in arrears or at such other
intervals, not less frequently than quarterly, as the Manager is paid by the
Series pursuant to the Advisory Agreement.
7. Non-Exclusivity. The Manager and the Series agree that the
services of the Sub-Adviser are not to be deemed exclusive and that the
Sub-Adviser and its affiliates are free to act as investment manager and provide
other services to various investment companies and other managed accounts,
except as the Sub-Adviser and the Manager or the Administrator may otherwise
agree from time to time in writing before or after the date hereof. This
Agreement shall not in any way limit or restrict the Sub-Adviser or any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents from buying, selling or trading any
securities or other investment instruments for its or their own account or for
the account of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such
activities do not adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by the
Sub-Adviser of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Manager and
the Series recognize and agree that the Sub-Adviser may provide advice to or
take action with respect to other clients, which advice or action, including the
timing and nature of such action, may differ from or be identical to advice
given or action taken with respect to the Series. The Sub-Adviser shall for all
purposes hereof be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless
otherwise provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the
Series or the Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Series
or the Manager.
8. Liability. Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or
other federal securities laws, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any of its officers,
directors, employees or agents (the "Indemnified Parties") shall be subject to
any liability to the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any shareholder of the
Series for any error of judgment, any mistake of law or any loss arising out of
any investment or other act or omission in the course of, connected with, or
arising out of any service to be rendered under this Agreement, except by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the
Sub-Adviser's duties or by reason of reckless disregard by the Sub-Adviser of
its obligations and duties hereunder. The Manager shall hold harmless and
indemnify the Sub-Adviser for any loss, liability, cost, damage or expense
(including reasonable attorneys fees and costs) arising from any claim or demand
by any past or present shareholder of the Series that is not based upon the
obligations of the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement.
9. Effective Date and Termination. This Agreement shall become
effective as of the date of its execution, and
a. unless otherwise terminated, this Agreement shall continue in
effect for two years from the date of execution, and from year to year
thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series, and (ii)
by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not
interested persons of the Trust, the Manager or the Sub-Adviser, cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval;
b. this Agreement may at any time be terminated on sixty days'
written notice to the Sub-Adviser either by vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Series;
c. this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its assignment or upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement; and
d. this Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser on ninety
days' written notice to the Manager and the Trust, or by the Manager on
ninety days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser.
Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9 shall be
without the payment of any penalty.
10. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual
consent of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, provided that, if required by law,
such amendment shall also have been approved by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Series and by vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, the Manager
or the Sub-Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
11. Certain Definitions. For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested person,"
"affiliated person" and "assignment" shall have their respective meanings
defined in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act.
12. General.
a. The Sub-Adviser may perform its services through any employee,
officer or agent of the Sub-Adviser, and the Manager shall not be
entitled to the advice, recommendation or judgment of any specific
person; provided, however, that the persons identified in the
prospectus of the Series shall perform the portfolio management duties
described therein until the Sub-Adviser notifies the Manager that one
or more other employees, officers or agents of the Sub-Adviser,
identified in such notice, shall assume such duties as of a specific
date.
b. If any term or provision or this Agreement or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances is held to be invalid or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement or the
application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall
not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
c. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NEW ENGLAND FUNDS MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By NEF Corporation, its general partner
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
---------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Managing Director, Senior Vice President, General Counsel,
Secretary & Clerk
NEW ENGLAND FUNDS TRUST III,
on behalf of its New England Equity Income Fund series
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President
Vaughan, Nelson, Scarborough & XxXxxxxxxx, X.X.
By Vaughan, Nelson, Scarborough & XxXxxxxxxx, Incorporated, its general partner
By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
---------------------
Name: Xxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Title: President
NOTICE
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust establishing New
England Funds Trust III (the "Fund") is on file with the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that his Agreement is
executed with respect to the Fund's New England Equity Income Fund series (the
"Series") on behalf of the Fund by officers of the Fund as officers and not
individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are
not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders individually but
are binding only upon the assets and property belonging to the Series.
