INTERIM INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 12th day of October, 2010 by and among First
Trust/FIDAC Mortgage Income Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"),
First Trust Advisors L.P., an Illinois limited partnership (the "Manager") and a
registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), and Fixed Income Discount Advisory Company, a Delaware company and a
registered investment adviser with the SEC (the "Sub-Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Fund has retained the Manager to serve as the investment
manager for the Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement between the
Manager and the Fund (as such agreement may be modified from time to time, the
"Management Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Management Agreement provides that the Manager may, subject
to the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the 1940 Act,
appoint a sub-adviser at its own cost and expense for the purpose of furnishing
certain services required under the Management Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Manager have retained the Sub-Adviser to furnish
investment advisory services for the Fund's investment portfolio, pursuant to an
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated May 25, 2005 (the "Sub-Advisory
Agreement");
WHEREAS, effective this date, Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, the President of the
Manager, has acquired all the common stock of The Charger Corporation, the
general partner to the Manager (the "Transaction");
WHEREAS, the Transaction may operate as an "assignment" of the
Sub-Advisory Agreement that terminates the Sub-Advisory Agreement pursuant to
Section 9 thereof;
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Manager desire to continue to retain the
Sub-Adviser to furnish certain investment advisory services for the Fund's
investment portfolio; and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Manager desire to enter into this agreement (the
"Agreement") pursuant to Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act, under which the
Sub-Adviser will furnish certain investment advisory services for the Fund upon
the terms and conditions hereafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Appointment. The Fund and the Manager hereby appoint the Sub-Adviser
to provide certain sub-investment advisory services to the Fund for the period
and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts such
appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the
compensation herein provided. The Sub-Adviser shall, for all purposes herein
provided, be deemed an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly
provided or authorized, shall have no authority to act for nor represent the
Fund or the Manager in any way, nor otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or
the Manager.
2. Services to Be Performed. Subject always to the supervision of the
Fund's Board of Trustees and the Manager, the Sub-Adviser will act as
sub-adviser for, and manage on a discretionary basis the investment and
reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, furnish an investment program in respect
of, make investment decisions for, and place all orders for the purchase and
sale of securities for the Fund's investment portfolio, all on behalf of the
Fund and as described in the Fund's most recent registration statement as
declared effective by the SEC, and as the same may thereafter be amended from
time to time. In the performance of its duties, the Sub-Adviser will in all
material respects (a) satisfy any applicable fiduciary duties it may have to the
Fund, (b) monitor the Fund's investments, and (c) comply with the provisions of
the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-laws, as amended from time to time and
communicated by the Fund or the Manager to the Sub-Adviser in writing, and the
stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund as such
objectives, policies and restrictions may subsequently be changed by the Fund's
Board of Trustees and communicated by the Fund or the Manager to the Sub-Adviser
in writing. The Fund or the Manager has provided the Sub-Adviser with current
copies of the Fund's Declaration of Trust, By-laws, prospectus, statement of
additional information and any amendments thereto, and any objectives, policies
or limitations not appearing therein as they may be relevant to the
Sub-Adviser's performance under this Agreement.
Sub-Adviser is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will
execute the purchases and sales of portfolio investments for the Fund, and is
directed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain best execution,
taking into account all appropriate factors, including price, dealer spread or
commission, size and difficulty of the transaction, execution capabilities,
speed, financing and research or other services provided. The Sub-Adviser is
authorized to enter into repurchase agreements on behalf of the Fund, subject to
any applicable policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees for the
Fund. Subject to approval by the Fund's Board of Trustees and compliance with
the policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees for the Fund and to
the extent permitted by and in conformance with applicable law (including Rule
17e-1 of the 1940 Act), the Sub-Adviser may select brokers or dealers affiliated
with the Sub-Adviser. It is understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be deemed
to have acted unlawfully, or to have breached a fiduciary duty to the Fund, or
be in breach of any obligation owing to the Fund under this Agreement, or
otherwise, solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a member of a
securities exchange, a broker or a dealer a commission for effecting a
securities transaction for the Fund in excess of the amount of commission
another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged if the
Sub-Adviser determined in good faith that the commission paid was reasonable in
relation to the brokerage or research services provided by such member, broker
or dealer, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser's
overall responsibilities with respect to its accounts, including the Fund, as to
which it exercises investment discretion.
In addition, Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
aggregate purchase and sale orders of securities placed with respect to the
assets of the Fund with similar orders being made simultaneously for other funds
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and accounts managed by Sub-Adviser or its affiliates, if the purchase of the
particular security is consistent with the investment objectives and guidelines
of each fund and account participating in the aggregated order and if in
Sub-Adviser's reasonable judgment such aggregation shall result in the best
price and execution for each fund and account participating in the aggregated
order, taking into consideration the selling or purchase price, brokerage
commissions and other expenses. In the event that a purchase or sale of an asset
of the Fund occurs as part of any aggregate sale or purchase orders, the
objective of Sub-Adviser and any of its affiliates involved in such transaction
shall be to allocate the securities so purchased or sold, as well as expenses
incurred in the transaction, among the Fund and other accounts in an equitable
manner. Nevertheless, the Fund and Manager acknowledge that under some
circumstances, such allocation may adversely affect the Fund with respect to the
price or size of the securities positions obtainable or salable. Whenever the
Fund and one or more other investment advisory clients of Sub-Adviser have
available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each
will be allocated in a manner believed by Sub-Adviser to be equitable to each,
although such allocation may result in a delay in one or more client accounts
being fully invested that would not occur if such an allocation were not made.
Moreover, it is possible that due to differing investment objectives or for
other reasons, Sub-Adviser and its affiliates may purchase securities of an
issuer for one client and at approximately the same time recommend selling or
sell the same or similar types of securities for another client.
The Sub-Adviser will promptly forward to the Manager all proxies it
receives which are solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in
the Fund's investment portfolio.
The Sub-Adviser will not arrange purchases or sales of securities between
the Fund and other accounts advised by the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates unless
(a) such purchases or sales are in accordance with applicable law (including
Rule 17a-7 of the 0000 Xxx) and the Fund's policies and procedures, (b) the
Sub-Adviser determines the purchase or sale is in the best interests of the
Fund, and (c) the Fund's Board of Trustees has approved these types of
transactions.
The Fund may adopt policies and procedures that modify or restrict the
Sub-Adviser's authority regarding the execution of the Fund's portfolio
transactions provided herein.
The Sub-Adviser will communicate to the officers and trustees of the Fund
such information relating to transactions for the Fund as they may reasonably
request. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to
the Manager, the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person of either the Fund, the
Manager, or the Sub-Adviser, except as may be permitted under the 1940 Act.
The Sub-Adviser further agrees that it:
(a) will use the same degree of skill and care in providing such
services as it uses in providing services to fiduciary accounts for which
it has investment responsibilities;
(b) will conform in all material respects to all applicable rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and comply in
all material respects with all policies and procedures adopted by the
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Board of Trustees for the Fund and communicated to the Sub-Adviser in
writing and, in addition, will conduct its activities under this Agreement
in all material respects in accordance with any applicable law and
regulations of any governmental authority pertaining to its investment
advisory activities;
(c) will report to the Manager and to the Board of Trustees of the
Fund on a quarterly basis and will make appropriate persons available for
the purpose of reviewing with representatives of the Manager and the Board
of Trustees on a regular basis at such reasonable times as the Manager or
the Board of Trustees may reasonably request in writing regarding the
management of the Fund, including, without limitation, review of the
general investment strategies of the Fund, the performance of the Fund's
investment portfolio in relation to relevant standard industry indices and
general conditions affecting the marketplace and will provide various
other reports from time to time as reasonably requested by the Manager or
the Board of Trustees of the Fund; and
(d) will prepare and maintain such books and records with respect
to the Fund's securities and other transactions for the Fund's investment
portfolio as required for registered investment advisers under applicable
law or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Manager and will prepare
and furnish the Manager and Fund's Board of Trustees such periodic and
special reports as the Board or the Manager may reasonably request. The
Sub-Adviser further agrees that all records that it maintains for the Fund
are the property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly
to the Fund any such records upon the request of the Manager or the Fund
(provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser shall be permitted to retain
copies thereof); and shall be permitted to retain originals (with copies
to the Fund) to the extent required under Rule 204-2 of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 or other applicable law.
3. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will pay
all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this
Agreement other than the cost of securities and other assets (including
brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for the Fund and the costs associated
with financings the Fund enters into.
4. Additional Sub-Advisers. Subject to obtaining the initial and periodic
approvals required under Section 15 of the 1940 Act and the approval of the
Manager, the Sub-Adviser may retain one or more additional sub-advisers at the
Sub-Adviser's own cost and expense for the purpose of furnishing one or more of
the services described in Section 2 hereof with respect to the Fund. Retention
of a sub-adviser hereunder shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or
obligations of the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and the Sub-Adviser shall be
responsible to the Fund for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in
connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties hereunder.
5. Compensation. For the services provided and the expenses assumed
pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the
Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefor, a portfolio
management fee (the "Management Fee") equal to the annual rate of 0.50% of the
Fund's Managed Assets (as defined below). The compensation accrued hereunder
will be held in an interest-bearing escrow account with the Fund's custodian or
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another bank (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) designated by the Fund. If a new
investment sub-advisory agreement (the "New Sub-Advisory Agreement") with the
Sub-Adviser for the Fund is approved by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund by the end of the 150-day term of this
Agreement, the amount in the escrow account (including the interest earned) will
be paid to the Sub-Adviser. If a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund does not approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser
within the 150-day period, the Sub-Adviser will be paid, out of the escrow
account, the lesser of: (i) any costs incurred by the Sub-Adviser in performing
this Agreement (plus interest earned on that amount while in escrow); or (ii)
the total amount in the escrow account (plus interest earned).
For purposes of calculating the Management Fee, Managed Assets means the
average daily gross asset value of the Fund (which includes assets attributable
to the Fund's Preferred Shares (as such term is defined in the Fund's
prospectus), if any, and the principal amount of borrowings), minus the sum of
the Fund's accrued and unpaid dividends on any outstanding Preferred Shares and
accrued liabilities (other than the principal amount of any borrowings incurred,
commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund and the liquidation preference of
any outstanding Preferred Shares of the Fund).
For the month and year in which this Agreement becomes effective or
terminates, there shall be an appropriate proration on the basis of the number
of days that the Agreement is in effect during the month and year, respectively.
6. Services to Others. The Fund and the Manager acknowledge that the
Sub-Adviser now acts, or may in the future act, as an investment adviser to
other managed accounts and as investment adviser or investment sub-adviser to
one or more other investment companies. In addition, the Fund and the Manager
acknowledge that the persons employed by the Sub-Adviser to assist in the
Sub-Adviser's duties under this Agreement will not devote their full time to
such efforts. It is also agreed that the Sub-Adviser may use any supplemental
research obtained for the benefit of the Fund in providing investment advice to
its other investment advisory accounts and for managing its own accounts.
7. Limitation of Liability. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for, and
the Fund and the Manager will not take any action against the Sub-Adviser to
hold the Sub-Adviser liable for, any error of judgment or mistake of law or for
any loss suffered by the Fund or the Manager (including, without limitation, by
reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any security) in connection with
the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties under this Agreement, except for a
loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties under this Agreement,
or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement.
8. Term; Termination. This Agreement shall become effective upon
consummation of the Transaction (the "Effective Date") and shall remain in full
force for (i) 150 days following the Effective Date or (ii) until a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund shall approve the New
Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser or (iii) unless sooner terminated as
hereinafter provided, whichever occurs first.
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This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment and may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty
by the Manager or the Sub-Adviser upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the
other parties. This Agreement may also be terminated by the Fund by action of
the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of such Fund upon ten (10) calendar days' written notice to
the Sub-Adviser by the Fund without payment of any penalty.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty by the Manager, the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund in the event that it
shall have been established by a court of competent jurisdiction that the
Sub-Adviser or any officer or director of the Sub-Adviser has taken any action
that results in a breach of the material covenants of the Sub-Adviser set forth
herein.
The terms "assignment" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" shall have the meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the right of the
Sub-Adviser to receive payments on any unpaid balance of the compensation
described in Section 5 earned prior to such termination and for any additional
period during which the Sub-Adviser serves as such for the Fund, subject to
applicable law.
9. Notice. Any notice under this Agreement shall be sufficient in all
respects if given in writing and delivered by commercial courier providing proof
of delivery and addressed as follows or addressed to such other person or
address as such party may designate for receipt of such notice.
If to the Manager or the Fund: If to the Sub-Adviser:
First Trust/FIDAC Mortgage Income Fund Fixed Income Discount Advisory Company
First Trust Advisors 1211 Avenue of the Americas
000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Secretary Attention: Chief Legal Officer
If by Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 If by Facsimile: 000-000-0000
10. Limitations on Liability. All parties hereto are expressly put on
notice of the Fund's Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto, a copy of
which is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and
the limitation of shareholder and trustee liability contained therein and a
certified copy of which has been provided to the Sub-Adviser prior to the date
hereof. This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Fund by the Fund's officers
in their capacity as officers and not individually and are not binding upon any
of the Trustees, officers, or shareholders of the Fund individually but the
obligations imposed upon the Fund by this Agreement are binding only upon the
assets and property of the Fund, and persons dealing with the Fund must look
solely to the assets of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims.
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11. 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. This
Agreement will be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors.
12. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
applicable federal law and (except as to Section 10 hereof which shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts) the laws of the State of
New York.
13. Amendment, Etc. This Agreement may only be amended, or its provisions
modified or waived, in a writing signed by the party against which such
amendment, modification or waiver is sought to be enforced.
14. Authority. Each party represents to the others that it is duly
authorized and fully empowered to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement.
The Fund represents that engagement of the Sub-Adviser has been duly authorized
by the Fund and is in accordance with the Fund's Declaration of Trust and other
governing documents of the Fund.
15. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be
severable from the others so that if any provision or term hereof is illegal or
invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not
affect the validity of the remaining provisions and terms hereof; provided,
however, that the provisions governing payment of the Management Fee described
in Section 5 are not severable.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the sole and entire
agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter expressly set
forth herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund, the Manager and the Sub-Adviser have caused
this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. FIXED INCOME DISCOUNT ADVISORY
COMPANY
By /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx By /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
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Title: President Title: Chief Risk Officer
FIRST TRUST/FIDAC MORTGAGE INCOME FUND
By /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Title: President
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