SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Agreement dated as of March 11, 2021 between UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc. (“UBS AM”), a Delaware corporation, and Massachusetts Financial Services Company (d/b/a MFS Investment Management) (“Sub- Adviser”), a Delaware corporation (the “Agreement”).
RECITALS
(1) UBS AM has entered into a Management Agreement dated as of August 1, 2008 (“Management Agreement”), with PACE® Select Advisors Trust (“Trust”), an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), with respect to PACE® Global Real Estate Securities Investments (“Portfolio”); and
(2) UBS AM is authorized to retain one or more sub-advisers to furnish certain investment advisory services to UBS AM and the Portfolio;
(3) UBS AM desires to retain the Sub-Adviser to furnish certain investment advisory services to UBS AM and the Portfolio or a designated portion of the assets (“Segment”) of the Portfolio; and
(4) The Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
Now therefore, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, UBS AM and the Sub-Adviser agree as follows:
1. Appointment. UBS AM hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser as an investment sub-adviser with respect to the Portfolio or Segment for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts that appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. Duties as Sub-Adviser.
(a) Subject to the supervision and direction of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and review by UBS AM, and any written guidelines adopted by the Board or UBS AM the Sub-Adviser will provide a continuous investment program for the Portfolio or Segment, including investment research and discretionary management with respect to all securities and investments and cash equivalents in the Portfolio or Segment. The Sub-Adviser will determine from time to time what investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Portfolio or Segment. The Sub-Adviser will be responsible for placing purchase and sell orders for investments and for placing other related transactions for the Portfolio or Segment. The Sub-Adviser understands that the Portfolio’s assets need to be managed so as to permit the Portfolio to qualify or to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (“Code”). The Sub-Adviser will provide services under this Agreement in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s currently effective registration statement under the 1940 Act, and any amendments or supplements thereto (“Registration Statement”). The Sub-Adviser, on each business day, shall provide UBS AM and the Trust’s custodian such information as UBS AM and the Trust’s custodian may reasonably request relating to all transactions concerning the Portfolio or Segment. The Sub-Adviser will not have custody of any cash, securities or other assets of the Portfolio or Segment and will not be liable for any loss resulting from any act or omission of the Trust’s custodian, unless such act or omission results from instructions of or the failure to instruct by the Sub-Adviser that otherwise is not consistent with the standard of care reflected below.
UBS AM hereby designates and appoints the Sub-Adviser as its and the Portfolio’s limited purpose agent and attorney-in-fact, without the need for further prior approval of UBS AM (except as expressly provided for herein or as may be required by law) to make and execute, in the name and on behalf of the Portfolio, all agreements, instruments and other documents and to take all such other action which the Sub-Adviser considers necessary or advisable to carry out its duties hereunder. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, in connection with any purchase for the Portfolio or Segment of securities or instruments that are not registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Sub-Adviser shall have the full power and authority, among other things, to: (i) commit to purchase such securities for the Portfolio on the terms and conditions under which such securities are offered; (ii) execute such account opening and other agreements, instruments and documents (including, without limitation, purchase agreements, subscription documents, ISDA and other swap and derivative documents), and make such commitments, as may be required in connection with the purchase and sale of such securities or instruments; (iii) represent that the Portfolio is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 (a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and a “Qualified Institutional Buyer” as defined in Rule 144A (a) (1) (i) under the Securities Act; and (iv) commit that such securities will not be offered or sold by the Portfolio except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. This power-of-attorney is a continuing power-of-attorney and shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by UBS AM or the Trust in writing, but any such revocation shall not affect any transaction initiated prior to receipt by the Sub-Adviser of such notice. However, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as imposing a duty on the Sub-Adviser to act in its capacity as agent and attorney-in-fact for the Portfolio, unless otherwise consistent with the Sub-Adviser’s duties herein.
UBS AM represents that the Portfolio is (i) an Eligible Contract Participant as defined by Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act and U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations thereunder; and (ii) is not a “restricted person” under Rule 5130 and Rule 5131 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and thus the Portfolio is not prohibited from participating in the allocation of initial public offerings of equity securities offered by FINRA members.
UBS AM agrees to promptly notify the Sub-Adviser if any of the foregoing representations ceases to be true or correct.
When investing in non-US securities, the Sub-Advisor is responsible for identifying and complying with all applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which the security is traded. The Sub-Advisor shall use the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent investment manager would exercise under the circumstances not to knowingly establish or add to existing positions in securities for the Portfolio or Segment, as the case may be, that are subject to any applicable foreign ownership limits or levels (“FOL’’) at a time when it is reasonably foreseeable that such purchases will have to be sold due to FOL limits or levels.
The Sub-Adviser shall (i) determine the manner in which all rights to consent to corporate actions, conversion rights, subscription rights, tender rights, appraisal rights and any other corporate action rights pertaining to any portfolio securities held by the Portfolio or the Segment, as applicable, shall be exercised and/or (ii) execute all such certificates, consents and other documents necessary or appropriate to effectuate the powers of the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not consult with any other sub-adviser (“Other Sub-Adviser”) for the Trust or Portfolio concerning any transaction by the Portfolio or Segment in securities or other assets, including (i) the purchase by the Portfolio or Segment of a security issued by the Other Sub-Adviser, or an affiliate of the Other Sub-Adviser, to the Trust or Portfolio except as permitted by the 1940 Act or (ii) transactions by the Portfolio or Segment in any security for which the Other Sub-Adviser, or its affiliate, is the principal underwriter. (Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prohibit the Sub-Adviser from consulting with any Other Sub-Adviser concerning compliance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 12d3-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit UBS AM and the Sub-Adviser from consulting with each other concerning transactions for the Portfolio in securities or other assets.)
(c) Unless otherwise instructed by UBS AM or the Trust, the Sub-Adviser agrees that it will be responsible for voting proxies of issuers of securities held by the Portfolio or Segment. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that it will adopt written proxy voting procedures that shall comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”) (“Proxy Voting Policy”), and that shall be acceptable to the Board. The Sub-Adviser shall also provide its Proxy Voting Policy, and if requested by UBS AM, a summary of such Proxy Voting Policy for inclusion in the Trust’s
registration statement, and will provide UBS AM with any material amendment to the Proxy Voting Policy within a reasonable time after such amendment has taken effect. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that it will provide the Board on or before August 1st of each year, or more frequently as the Board may reasonably request, with a written report of the proxies voted during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30, or such other period as the Board may designate, in a format that shall comply with the 1940 Act and that shall be acceptable to the Board.
(d) The Sub-Adviser agrees that upon the request of UBS AM or the Board, Sub-Adviser shall exercise the rights incident to the securities held by the Portfolio or Segment in the context of a bankruptcy or other reorganization. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that it will keep UBS AM fully informed about any such actions that it intends to take.
The Sub-Adviser will not compile or file claims or take any related actions on behalf of UBS AM in any class action, bankruptcy or other legal proceeding related to securities currently or previously held in the Portfolio or Segment. Upon reasonable request of UBS AM, the Sub-Adviser shall cooperate with the Trust and UBS AM to the extent necessary for the Trust or UBS AM to pursue and/or participate in any such action and will provide relevant information and/or documentation in its possession relating to such proceedings.
(e) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will place orders with brokers in accordance with best execution policies, taking into account best price as an important factor in this decision, provided that, on behalf of the Portfolio or Segment, the Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, use brokers that provide the Sub-Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the Portfolio or Segment, and the Sub-Adviser may pay to those brokers in return for brokerage and research services a higher commission than may be charged by other brokers, subject to the Sub-Adviser’s determination in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Sub-Adviser to the Portfolio or Segment and its other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Portfolio or Segment will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Portfolio or Segment over the long term. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to UBS AM or the Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person thereof, except in accordance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Sub-Adviser may aggregate sales and purchase orders with respect to the assets of the Portfolio or Segment with similar orders being made simultaneously for other accounts advised by the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates. Whenever the Sub-Adviser simultaneously places orders to purchase or sell the same security on behalf of the Portfolio or Segment and one or more other accounts advised by the Sub-Adviser, the orders will be allocated as to price and amount among all such accounts in a manner believed to be equitable over time to each account. UBS AM recognizes that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the results obtained for the Portfolio or Segment.
Subject to the Sub-Adviser’s obligations to seek best execution, UBS AM agrees that the Sub-Adviser, in its sole discretion, may place transactions on behalf of the Portfolio or Segment and the Trust with any broker-dealer deemed to be an affiliate (including affiliated FCMs) of the Sub-Adviser (the “Affiliated Broker-Dealers”) so long as such transactions are effected in conformity with the requirements (including any applicable exemptions and administrative interpretations set forth in Part 2A of the Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV Registration Statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Form ADV”)) of Section 11(a)(1)(H) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), and in compliance with Rules 17e-1 or 10f-3 under the 1940 Act or other applicable rules and the Trust’s policies and procedures thereunder. In all such dealings, the Affiliated Broker-Dealers shall be authorized and entitled to retain any commissions, remuneration or profits which may be made in such transactions and shall not be liable to account for the same to UBS AM, the Portfolio or the Trust. In the event Sub-Adviser becomes affiliated (as deemed under the federal securities laws) with a broker-dealer during the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser shall obtain the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to commencement of transactions with such broker-dealer on behalf of the Portfolio or the Trust.
UBS AM further authorizes the Sub-Adviser and its Affiliated Broker-Dealers to execute agency cross transactions (the “Cross Transactions”) on behalf of the Portfolio and the Trust. Cross Transactions are
transactions which may be effected by the Affiliated Broker-Dealers acting for both the Portfolio or the Trust and the counterparty to the transaction. Cross Transactions enable the Sub-Adviser to purchase or sell a block of securities for the Portfolio or the Trust at a set price and possibly avoid an unfavorable price movement that may be created through entrance into the market with such purchase or sale order. UBS AM, the Portfolio and the Trust should be aware, however, that in a Cross Transaction an Affiliated Broker-Dealer will be receiving commissions from both sides of the trade and, therefore, there is a potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities. Sub-Adviser shall effect such Cross Transactions in compliance with Rule 206(3)-2 under the Advisers Act, Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, and any other applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and shall provide UBS AM with periodic reports describing such agency cross transactions. UBS AM understands that the authority of the Sub-Adviser to execute agency Cross Transactions for the Portfolio is terminable at will without penalty, effective upon receipt by the Sub-Adviser of written notice from UBS AM, and that the failure to terminate such authorization will result in its continuation.
(f) The Sub-Adviser shall maintain separate detailed books and records of all matters pertaining to the Portfolio or Segment, including, without limitation, brokerage and other records of all securities transactions, required to be maintained pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to the Sub-Adviser. Any records required to be maintained and preserved pursuant to the provisions of Rule 31a-1 and Rule 31a-2 promulgated under the 1940 Act that are prepared or maintained by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust upon request. The Sub-Adviser may retain copies of all such records. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained under Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and will furnish the Board and UBS AM with such periodic and special reports as the Board or UBS AM may request.
(g) At such times as shall be reasonably requested by the Board or UBS AM, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Board and UBS AM with economic and investment analyses and reports as well as quarterly reports setting forth the performance of the Portfolio or Segment and make available to the Board and UBS AM any economic, statistical and investment services that the Sub-Adviser normally makes available to its institutional or other customers.
(h) In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, as amended from time to time, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for providing reasonable assistance to the Board and UBS AM in connection with the fair valuation of all portfolio securities in the Portfolio or Segment and, in response to a request from the Board or UBS AM will use its reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of a price or prices from one or more parties independent of the Sub-Adviser for each portfolio security for which the custodian is not able to obtain prices in the ordinary course of business from an automated pricing service. UBS AM acknowledges and agrees that the Sub-Adviser is not the Portfolio’s pricing agent and shall not be deemed a substitute for any independent pricing agent and/or valuation committee of the Portfolio pursuant to the Trust’s fair valuation policies and procedures, and the Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees to provide reasonable assistance to UBS AM in valuing the securities held in the Portfolio or Segment upon request (e.g., fair value recommendations). UBS AM acknowledges and agrees that such reasonable valuation assistance as may be provided by the Sub-Adviser upon request shall not include the fair valuation of foreign securities or instruments held by the Portfolio pursuant to a general “foreign fair value pricing factor” based on factors obtained from a third party pricing vendor.
The Sub-Adviser also will provide such information or perform such additional acts as are customarily performed by a Sub-Adviser and may be required for the Trust or UBS AM to comply with their respective obligations under applicable federal securities laws, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the 1934 Act, the Securities Act, and any rule or regulation thereunder.
The Sub-Adviser will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any report on Form 13F or Schedule 13G and any amendments thereto, required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to its duties as are set forth herein and for purposes of such filing requirements, the Sub-Adviser shall be deemed to have sole investment discretion with respect to all securities held in the Portfolio or Segment.
3. Further Duties. In all matters relating to the performance of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will seek to act in conformity with the Trust’s Trust Instrument, By-Laws and Registration Statement, the Trust’s policies and procedures for compliance by the Trust with the Federal Securities Laws (as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 0000 Xxx) provided to the Sub-Adviser (together, the “Trust Compliance Procedures”) and with the written instructions and written directions of the Board and UBS AM, and will comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, and the Advisers Act, and the rules under each, the Code, and all other federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the Trust and the Portfolio (each to the extent applicable to the Sub-Adviser and the Portfolio or Segment). UBS AM agrees to provide to the Sub-Adviser copies of the Trust’s Trust Instrument, By-Laws, Registration Statement, Trust’s Compliance Procedures, written instructions and directions of the Board and UBS AM, and any amendments or supplements to any of these materials as soon as practicable after such materials become available. UBS AM further agrees to identify to the Sub-Adviser in writing any broker-dealers that are affiliated with UBS AM (other than UBS Financial Services Inc. and UBS Asset Management (US) Inc.), securities issued by which may not be purchased by the Portfolio, and a list of all brokers and underwriters affiliated with the Adviser or the Portfolio for monitoring and reporting transactions under applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. All such information referenced in this Section shall be conveyed to the Sub-Adviser in a timely manner so as to permit the Sub-Adviser to take such actions as may be required in an orderly fashion.
In order to assist the Trust and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “Trust CCO”) to satisfy the requirements contained in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Trust CCO: (i) direct access to the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer and/or other senior compliance personnel, as reasonably requested by the Trust CCO; (ii) quarterly reports confirming that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the Trust Compliance Procedures in managing the Portfolio or Segment or reporting any material instance of non-compliance; and (iii) quarterly certifications that there were no Material Compliance Matters (as that term is defined by Rule 38a-1(e)(2)) that arose under the Trust Compliance Procedures that related to the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Portfolio or Segment or reporting on such matter(s) if they occurred.
The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide the Trust CCO with copies of: (i) the Sub-Adviser’s policies and procedures for compliance by the Sub-Adviser with the Federal Securities Laws pertaining to Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement (together, the “Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures”), and (ii) any material changes to the Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures. The Sub-Adviser shall cooperate fully with the Trust CCO so as to facilitate the Trust CCO’s performance of the Trust CCO’s responsibilities under Rule 38a-1 to review, evaluate and report to the Trust’s Board on the operation of the Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures, and shall promptly report to the Trust CCO any Material Compliance Matter arising under the Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures involving the Portfolio or Segment. The Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Trust CCO: (i) quarterly reports confirming the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures in managing the Portfolio or Segment, or reporting any material instance of non-compliance, and (ii) certifications that there were no Material Compliance Matters involving the Sub-Adviser that arose under the Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures that affected the Portfolio or Segment or reporting on such matter(s) if they occurred. At least annually, the Sub-Adviser shall provide a certification to the Trust CCO to the effect that the Sub-Adviser has in place and has implemented policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure compliance by the Sub-Adviser with any applicable Federal Securities Laws, subject to such interpretations as may be contained in the Trust Compliance Procedures.
The Sub-Adviser will promptly provide UBS AM with information (including information that is required to be disclosed in the Trust’s registration statement) with respect to the portfolio managers responsible for the Portfolio or Segment and any changes in the portfolio managers responsible for the Portfolio or Segment.
To the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent not prohibited by a request from the relevant regulator, the Sub-Adviser will promptly notify UBS AM of any pending investigation of the Sub-adviser by a regulatory authority, or any material litigation, administrative proceeding or any other significant regulatory inquiry that, in each case, could reasonably be expected to impact the Sub-Adviser’s duties hereunder.
The Sub-Adviser will cooperate promptly and fully with UBS AM and/or the Trust in responding to any regulatory or compliance examinations or inspections (including information requests) relating to the Trust, the Portfolio or UBS AM brought by any governmental or regulatory authorities having appropriate jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)).
4. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its services under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred by the Trust, the Portfolio or Segment or UBS AM, including the cost of securities including brokerage commissions, transactional fees, interest expense and taxes, if any) purchased for the Portfolio or Segment except as otherwise specifically provided herein.
Upon request by UBS AM, Sub-Adviser agrees to reimburse UBS AM or the Trust for those reasonable and documented costs associated with generating and distributing any Registration Statement (as defined herein), which are incurred by UBS AM or the Trust, where such costs are directly attributable to Sub-Adviser’s failure, after receiving a copy of a draft Registration Statement, to promptly disclose to UBS AM material facts, in respect of the Sub-Adviser or the services being provided under this Agreement, then known to the Sub-Adviser or its personnel that would require disclosure (or amendments to disclosure) in the Fund’s Registration Statement in time for such disclosure or amendments to disclosure to be included in such Registration Statement. The Sub-Adviser shall bear all reasonable and documented expenses of the Trust, if any, arising out of any documents and actions by UBS AM or the Trust that are necessary to permit the Sub-Adviser to continue to provide sub-advisory services to the Fund as the result of an assignment or change in control of the Sub-Adviser.
5. Compensation.
(a) For the services provided and the expenses assumed by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, UBS AM, not the Portfolio, will pay to the Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of % of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio or Segment allocated to its management (computed in the manner specified in the Management Agreement), and will provide the Sub-Adviser with a schedule showing the manner in which the fee was computed. If the Sub-Adviser is managing a Segment, its fees will be based on the value of the assets of the Portfolio within the Sub-Adviser’s Segment.
(b) The fee shall be accrued daily and payable monthly to the Sub-Adviser on or before the last business day of the next succeeding calendar month.
(c) For those periods in which UBS AM has agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee, UBS AM may ask the Sub-Adviser to waive the same proportion of its fees, but the Sub-Adviser is under no obligation to do so.
(d) If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee for the period from the effective date to the end of the month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full month in that such effectiveness or termination occurs.
6. Limitation of Liability.
(a) The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Portfolio, the Segment, the Trust or its shareholders or by UBS AM in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(b) In no event will the Sub-Adviser have any responsibility for any other portfolio of the Trust, for any portion of the Portfolio not managed by the Sub-Adviser or for the acts or omissions of any Other Sub-
Adviser to the Trust or Portfolio. In particular, in the event the Sub-Adviser shall manage only a Segment of the Portfolio, the Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility for the Portfolio’s being in violation of any applicable law or regulation or investment policy or restriction applicable to the Portfolio as a whole or for the Portfolio’s failing to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, if the securities and other holdings of the Segment of the Portfolio managed by the Sub-Adviser are such that such Segment would not be in such violation or fail to so qualify if such Segment were deemed a separate series of the Trust or a separate regulated investment company under the Code, unless such violation was due to the Sub-Adviser’s failure to comply with written guidelines adopted by the Board or UBS AM and provided in writing to the Sub-Adviser. To the extent the Board or UBS AM modifies such written guidelines, UBS AM shall provide the Sub-Adviser with modified copies of such documents marked to reflect any material changes.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed a limitation or waiver of any obligation or duty that may not by law be limited or waived.
7. Representations of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
(a) The Sub-Adviser (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will promptly notify UBS AM of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
(b) The Sub-Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and will provide UBS AM and the Board with a copy of such code of ethics, together with evidence of its adoption. Within fifteen days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized officer of the Sub-Adviser shall certify to UBS AM that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon request, the Sub-Adviser will provide UBS AM with additional information with respect to material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics. The Sub-Adviser will be required to provide information related to its employees only if there was a material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics by an employee involved in the day-to-day operation of the Portfolio, and such requested information directly relates to such material violation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under no circumstances shall the Sub-Adviser be required to provide any information it may not provide in accordance with applicable law. In addition, Sub-Adviser reserves the right to assert all applicable legal privileges.
(c) The Sub-Adviser has provided UBS AM with a copy of its Form ADV, as most recently filed with the SEC, and promptly will furnish a copy of all amendments to UBS AM at least annually in accordance with the Advisers Act. UBS AM hereby acknowledges receipt of the Sub-Adviser’s most recent Form ADV. UBS AM hereby consents to electronic delivery of Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV and any Form ADV amendments and/or annual updates provided by the Sub-Adviser to UBS as required by applicable law.
(d) The Sub-Adviser will notify UBS AM of any change of control of the Sub-Adviser, including any change of its general partners or 25% shareholders or 25% limited partners, as applicable, and any changes in the key personnel who are either the portfolio manager(s) of the Portfolio or senior management of the Sub-Adviser, in each case prior to such change if the Sub-Adviser is aware of such change, or as soon after such change as possible.
(e) The Sub-Adviser agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliates, will in any way refer directly or indirectly to its relationship with the Trust, the Portfolio, UBS AM or any of their respective affiliates in offering, marketing or other promotional materials without the express written consent of UBS AM.
(f) The Sub-Adviser hereby represents that it has implemented policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent the disclosure by it, its employees or its agents of the Trust’s portfolio holdings to any person or entity other than UBS AM, the Trust’s custodian, or other persons expressly designated by UBS AM. The Sub-Adviser further represents that it implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent it, its employees and agents from trading on the basis of any material non-public information provided by UBS AM, the Trust, their affiliates or agents.
(g) The Sub-Adviser, although registered as a CTA (defined below), hereby represents that it is eligible for an exemption from registration as a CTA under Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Regulation 4.14(a), and pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.14(c)(2), will provide commodity trading advice to the Portfolio as if it were exempt from registration as a CTA.
UBS AM represents and warrants to the Sub-Adviser that it, (i) although registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) with the CFTC and a member of the National Futures Association (the “NFA”), is excluded from the definition of CPO pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5 with respect to the Portfolio, (ii) on behalf of the Portfolio, has filed the notice required by CFTC Regulation 4.5(c) and shall reaffirm such notice annually as required, and (iii) although registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the CFTC and a member of the NFA, is currently exempt from registration as a CTA under CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(5) with respect to the Portfolio. UBS AM shall notify the Sub-Adviser at least 60 days prior to becoming a registered CPO or CTA with respect to the Portfolio.
(h) The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that it has (i) a sanctions policy in place and communicated to all employees and (ii) adequate sanctions compliance controls reasonably designed to ensure compliance with US, UN, EU and Swiss sanctions laws and regulations and local applicable sanctions laws (the “Sanctions Laws”) The Sub-Adviser further represents and warrants that (i) it will not undertake investments or engage in activity that involves either directly or indirectly countries, regimes, jurisdictions or sanctioned parties (individuals / entities) subject to any Sanctions Laws and (ii) will not invest in securities / issuers mentioned on the “Sanctions Securities List (SSSL)” and the list of “Companies Verifiably Involved in Controversial Weapons (Ethix List)” provided by UBS and updated from time to time.
8. Services Not Exclusive. The services furnished by the Sub-Adviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and except as the Sub-Adviser may otherwise agree in writing, the Sub-Adviser shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser, who may also be a trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
9. Duration and Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective upon the date first above written, provided that this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved (i) by a vote of a majority of those trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party (“Independent Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding voting securities, unless UBS AM has authority to enter into this Agreement pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC without a vote of the Portfolio’s outstanding voting securities.
(b) Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from its effective date. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically for successive periods of twelve months each, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually (i) by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio on 30 days written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by UBS AM; (i) upon 120 days written notice to the Sub-Adviser; (ii) upon material breach by the Sub-Adviser of any of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement; or (iii) immediately if, in the reasonable judgment of UBS AM, the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including circumstances such as financial insolvency of the Sub- Adviser or other circumstances that could adversely affect the Portfolio. The Sub-Adviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 120 days written notice to UBS AM. This Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as it relates to this Portfolio.
10. Amendment of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. To the extent required by applicable law, no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved (i) by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, and (ii) if the terms of this Agreement shall have changed, by a vote of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding voting securities (except in the case of (ii), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the SEC order permitting it to modify the Agreement without such vote).
11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the 1940 Act and the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of New York conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
12. Confidentiality. Each party to this Agreement agrees that it will treat as proprietary and confidential any information of the other party (the “Discloser”) obtained in connection with its duties hereunder, including all records and information pertaining to the Portfolio and its prior, present or potential shareholders. Such information, including, without limitation, the investment activities or portfolio holdings of the Portfolio, and each party’s business, financial operations, personnel matters, and other proprietary information, written or oral, is collectively referred to as “Confidential Information.” All Confidential Information provided by the Discloser shall be used only by the other party hereto (the “Recipient”) to the extent necessary for the purposes of rendering services or performing the obligations pursuant to this Agreement and shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior written consent of the Discloser, except (i) to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations, subpoenas, court orders, and/or as required in the administration and management of the Trust or in connection with the provision of services hereunder, or as permitted herein. Confidential information shall not include any information that (i) is public when provided or thereafter becomes public though no wrongful act of the Recipient; (ii) is demonstrably known to the Recipient prior to execution of the Agreement; (iii) is independently developed by the Recipient without the use of Confidential Information provided by Discloser through no wrongful act of the Recipient in the ordinary course of business outside of this Agreement; (iv) is generally employed by the industry at the time that the Recipient learns of such information or knowledge; or (v) has been rightfully and lawfully obtained by the Recipient from any third party. For the avoidance of doubt, the Sub-Adviser may use the performance of the Portfolio in its composite performance and nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent, or shall be construed as preventing, the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates from merely referring in accurate terms to Sub-Adviser’s appointment hereunder as a sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
For the avoidance of doubt, each party acknowledges that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose information about the portfolio holdings of the Portfolio to any consultant that seeks information about the portfolio holdings of an account managed by the Sub-Adviser, provided, however, that any such disclosure (i) shall not identify the Portfolio or provide information pursuant to which the
identity of the Portfolio may readily be ascertained and (ii) in instances where portfolio holdings are disclosed prior to the time at which the Sub-Adviser has made publicly available the holdings of substantially similar accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser, such disclosure may be made to such party only if such party executes an agreement under which it is prohibited from disclosing such portfolio holdings information and prohibited from otherwise using such information for its pecuniary benefit.
13. Use of Name.
(a) It is understood that the names UBS and PACE or any derivative thereof or logo associated with that name is the valuable property of UBS AM and/or its affiliates, and that Sub-Adviser has the right to use such name (or derivative or logo) only with the approval of UBS AM and only so long as UBS AM is Manager to the Trust and/or the Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, UBS AM acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser may reference the names UBS and PACE and the name of the Portfolio or any derivative thereof or logo associated with those names on a representative client list.
(b) It is understood that the name Massachusetts Financial Services Company, MFS Investment Management or any derivative thereof or logo associated with those names, are the valuable property of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates and that the Trust and/or the Portfolio have the right to use such names (or derivative or logo) in offering materials of the Trust with the approval of the Sub-Adviser and for so long as the Sub-Adviser is a Sub-Adviser to the Portfolio. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall forthwith cease to use such names (or derivatives or logo), except to the extent required by law or statute.
14. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. As used in this Agreement, the terms majority of the outstanding voting securities, affiliated person, interested person, assignment, broker, investment adviser, net assets, sale, sell and security shall have the same meanings as such terms have in the 1940 Act, subject to such exemption as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation or order. Where the effect of a requirement of the federal securities laws reflected in any provision of this Agreement is made less restrictive by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order. This Agreement may be signed in counterpart and by any electronic signature in such form that is mutually acceptable to the parties. To the fullest extent permitted by relevant law, (a) all requirements in this Agreement that any action taken be taken by means of any writing, including, without limitation, any instruction or notice, shall be deemed to be satisfied by means of any electronic record in such form that is mutually acceptable to the parties; and (b) all requirements in this Agreement that any writing be signed shall be deemed to be satisfied by any electronic signature in such form that is mutually acceptable to the parties.
15. Notices. Any notice herein required is to be in writing and is deemed to have been given to the Sub-Adviser or UBS AM upon receipt of the same at their respective addresses set forth below. All written notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement will be delivered by personal service, by postage mail return receipt requested or by facsimile machine or a similar means of same delivery which provides evidence of receipt (with a confirming copy by mail as set forth herein). All notices provided to UBS AM will be sent to the attention of: Deputy General Counsel, UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc., Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx XX 00000. All notices provided to the Sub-Adviser will be sent to: Massachusetts Financial Services Company, 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Legal Department, with a copy to the following e-mail address: XxxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxx@xxx.xxx, fax: 000-000-0000.
In witness whereof, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their duly authorized signatories as of the date and year first above written.
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UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc. |
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1285 Avenue of the Americas |
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Attest: |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxx | |
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Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx |
Name: Xxxx Xxxx | ||||
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Title: Director and Associate General Counsel |
Title: Executive Director | ||||
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Massachusetts Financial Services Company | ||||
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(d/b/a MFS Investment Management) | ||||
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000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
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Xxxxxx: |
Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 | ||||
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |
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Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||
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Title: General Counsel |
Title: President | ||||
