EXHIBIT 23(4)
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") is made as of
this [ th] day of May, 2006, by and between the Large Cap Core Equity Fund (the
"Acquiring Fund") and the Value Plus Fund (the "Selling Fund"), each a series of
Touchstone Strategic Trust (the "Trust"). The Trust is a Massachusetts business
trust, with its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000,
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000.
The reorganization (the "Reorganization") will consist of (i) the transfer
of all of the assets of the Selling Fund in exchange solely for shares of
beneficial interest, without par value per share, of the Acquiring Fund (the
"Acquiring Fund Shares"); (ii) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of
the liabilities of the Selling Fund; and (iii) the distribution, after the
Closing Date hereinafter referred to, of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the
shareholders of the Selling Fund in liquidation of the Selling Fund as provided
herein, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this
Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund are each a separate
investment series of an open-end, registered investment company of the
management type and the Selling Fund owns securities that generally are assets
of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;
WHEREAS, the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund are authorized to issue
their shares of beneficial interest;
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that the transactions
contemplated herein will be in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and its
shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that the Selling Fund
should exchange all of its assets and liabilities for Acquiring Fund Shares and
that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Selling Fund will not be
diluted as a result of the transactions contemplated herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE SELLING FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR THE ACQUIRING FUND
SHARES AND ASSUMPTION OF SELLING FUND LIABILITIES AND LIQUIDATION OF THE
SELLING FUND
1.1 THE EXCHANGE. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth and
on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Selling
Fund agrees to transfer all of the Selling Fund's assets as set forth in
paragraph 1.2 to the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund agrees in exchange for
the Selling Fund's assets (i) to deliver to the Selling Fund the number of
Acquiring Fund Shares, including fractional Acquiring Fund Shares, computed in
the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3; and
(ii) to assume all of the liabilities of the Selling Fund, as set forth in
paragraph 1.3. Such transactions shall take place on the Closing Date provided
for in paragraph 3.1.
1.2 ASSETS TO BE ACQUIRED. The assets of the Selling Fund to be acquired
by the Acquiring Fund shall consist of all property, including, without
limitation, all cash, securities, commodities, interests in futures and
dividends or interest receivables, that is owned by the Selling Fund and any
deferred or prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Selling Fund
on the Closing Date.
The Selling Fund has provided the Acquiring Fund with its most recent
audited financial statements, which contain a list of all of the Selling Fund's
assets as of the date thereof. The Selling Fund hereby represents that as of the
date of the execution of this Agreement there have been no changes in its
financial position as reflected in said financial statements other than those
occurring in the ordinary course of its business in connection with the purchase
and sale of securities and the payment of its normal operating expenses and the
payment of dividends, capital gains distributions and redemption proceeds to
shareholders. The Selling Fund reserves the right to sell any of such
securities, but will not, without the prior written approval of the Acquiring
Fund, acquire any additional securities other than securities of the type in
which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest.
The Acquiring Fund will, within a reasonable time prior to the Closing
Date, furnish the Selling Fund with a list of the securities, if any, on the
Selling Fund's list referred to in the second sentence of this paragraph that do
not conform to the Acquiring Fund's investment objectives, policies, and
restrictions. The Selling Fund will, within a reasonable period of time (not
less than 30 days) prior to the Closing Date, furnish the Acquiring Fund with a
list of its portfolio securities and other investments. In the event that the
Selling Fund holds any investments that the Acquiring Fund may not hold, the
Selling Fund, if requested by the Acquiring Fund, will dispose of such
securities prior to the Closing Date. In addition, if it is determined that the
Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund portfolios, when aggregated, would contain
investments exceeding certain percentage limitations imposed upon the Acquiring
Fund with respect to such investments, the Selling Fund if requested by the
Acquiring Fund will dispose of a sufficient amount of such investments as may be
necessary to avoid violating such limitations as of the Closing Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will require the Selling Fund to
dispose of any investments or securities if, in the reasonable judgment of the
Selling Fund, such disposition would violate the Selling Fund's fiduciary duty
to its shareholders.
1.3 LIABILITIES TO BE ASSUMED. The Selling Fund will endeavor to discharge
all of its known liabilities and obligations prior to the Closing Date. The
Acquiring Fund shall assume all of the Selling Fund's liabilities and
obligations of any kind whatsoever, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise in existence on the Closing Date.
1.4 LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION. On or as soon after the Closing Date as
is conveniently practicable (the "Liquidation Date"), (a) the Selling Fund will
liquidate and distribute pro rata to the Selling Fund's shareholders of record,
determined as of the close of business on the Valuation Date (the "Selling Fund
Shareholders"), the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Selling Fund pursuant
to paragraph 1.1; and (b) the Selling Fund will thereupon proceed to terminate
as set forth in paragraph 1.8 below. Such liquidation and distribution will be
accomplished by the transfer of the Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the
account of the Selling Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts
on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Selling Fund
Shareholders and representing the respective pro rata number of the Acquiring
Fund Shares due such shareholders. All issued and outstanding shares of the
Selling Fund will simultaneously be canceled on the books of the Selling Fund.
The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing the Acquiring Fund
Shares in connection with such exchange.
1.5 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown
on the books of the Acquiring Fund's transfer agent. Shares of the Acquiring
Fund will be issued in the manner described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement on
Form N-14 which has been distributed to shareholders of the Selling Fund as
described in paragraph 4.1(o).
1.6 TRANSFER TAXES. Any transfer taxes payable upon issuance of the
Acquiring Fund Shares in a name other than the registered holder of the Selling
Fund shares on the books of the Selling Fund as of that time shall, as a
condition of such issuance and transfer, be paid by the person to whom such
Acquiring Fund Shares are to be issued and transferred.
1.7 REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY. Any reporting responsibility of the Selling
Fund is and shall remain the responsibility of the Selling Fund up to and
including the Closing Date and such later date on which the Selling Fund is
terminated.
1.8 TERMINATION. The Trust shall take all necessary and appropriate steps
under applicable law to terminate the Selling Fund promptly following the
Closing Date and the making of all distributions pursuant to paragraph 1.4.
ARTICLE II
VALUATION
2.1 VALUATION OF ASSETS. The value of the Selling Fund's assets to be
acquired by the Acquiring Fund hereunder shall be the value of such assets
computed as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on the
business day next preceding the Closing Date (such time and date being
hereinafter called the "Valuation Date"), using the valuation procedures set
forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and the Selling Fund's then current
prospectus and statement of additional information or such other valuation
procedures as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
2.2 VALUATION OF SHARES. The net asset value per share of the Acquiring
Fund Shares shall be the net asset value per share computed as of the close of
business on the New York Stock Exchange on the Valuation Date, using the
valuation procedures set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and the
Acquiring Fund's then current prospectus and statement of additional
information.
2.3 SHARES TO BE ISSUED. The number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund
Shares to be issued in exchange for the Selling Fund's assets shall be
determined by multiplying the outstanding shares of the Selling Fund by the
ratio computed by dividing the net asset value per share of the Selling Fund by
the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund on the Valuation Date,
determined in accordance with in paragraph 2.2. Class A, Class B and Class C
shares of the Acquiring Fund will be issued for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares of the Acquired Fund, respectively.
2.4 DETERMINATION OF VALUE. All computations of value shall be made by
Integrated Fund Services, Inc., the Acquiring Fund and Selling Fund's accounting
agent, in accordance with its regular practice in pricing the shares and assets
of the Acquiring Fund and Selling Fund.
ARTICLE III
CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE
3.1 CLOSING DATE. The closing of the Reorganization (the "Closing") shall
take place on or about August 13, 2006 or such other date as the parties may
agree to in writing (the "Closing Date"). All acts taking place at the Closing
shall be deemed to take place simultaneously immediately prior to the opening of
business on the Closing Date unless otherwise provided. The Closing shall be
held as of 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time ("ET") at the offices of the Trust, or at such
other time and/or place as the parties may agree.
3.2 EFFECT OF SUSPENSION IN TRADING. In the event that on the Valuation
Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for
portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Selling Fund shall be closed
to trading or trading thereon shall be restricted; or (b) trading or the
reporting of trading on said Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that
accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquiring Fund or the
Selling Fund is impracticable, the Valuation Date (and the Closing Date) shall
be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall have
been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.
3.3 TRANSFER AGENT'S CERTIFICATE. The Selling Fund shall cause its
transfer agent to deliver at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer
stating that its records contain the names and addresses of the Selling Fund
Shareholders and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned
by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund
shall issue and deliver, or cause its transfer agent, to issue and deliver, to
the Secretary of the Trust a confirmation evidencing the Acquiring Fund Shares
to be credited on the Closing Date or provide evidence satisfactory to the
Selling Fund that such Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Selling
Fund's account on the books of the Acquiring Fund. At the Closing, each party
shall deliver to the other such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share
certificates, if any, receipts and other documents as such other party or its
counsel may reasonably request.
3.4 CUSTODIAN'S CERTIFICATE. Xxxxx Brothers Xxxxxxxx & Co., as custodian
for the Selling Fund, shall deliver at the Closing a certificate of an
authorized officer stating that: (a) the Selling Fund's portfolio securities,
cash, and any other assets shall have been delivered in proper form to its
respective Acquiring Fund on the Closing Date; and (b) all necessary taxes
including all applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, shall
have been paid, or provision for payment shall have been made, in conjunction
with the delivery of portfolio securities by the Selling Fund.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLING FUND. The Selling Fund represents and
warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:
(a) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, a
business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust,
which is registered as an investment company classified as a management company
of the open-end type, and its registration with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), is in full force and effect.
(c) The current prospectus and statement of additional information
of the Selling Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not
include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) The Selling Fund is not, and the execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement (subject to shareholder approval) will not result,
in violation of any provision of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or
of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other
undertaking to which the Selling Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(e) The Selling Fund has no material contracts or other commitments
(other than this Agreement) that will be terminated with liability to it prior
to the Closing Date, except for liabilities, if any, to be discharged as
provided in paragraph 1.3 hereof.
(f) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the
Acquiring Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding, or investigation of or
before any court or governmental body is presently pending or to its knowledge
threatened against the Selling Fund or any of its properties or assets, which,
if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial
condition, the conduct of its business, or the ability of the Selling Fund to
carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Selling Fund
knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such
proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order,
decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and
adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions
herein contemplated.
(g) The audited financial statements of the Selling Fund at March
31, 2006 are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished
to the Acquiring Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Selling
Fund as of such date, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the
Selling Fund as of such date not disclosed therein.
(h) Since March 31, 2006, there has not been any material adverse
change in the Selling Fund's financial condition, assets, liabilities, or
business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any
incurrence by the Selling Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from
the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to and
accepted by the Acquiring Fund. For the purposes of this subparagraph (h), a
decline in the net asset value of the Selling Fund shall not constitute a
material adverse change.
(i) At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and
reports of the Selling Fund required by law to have been filed by such date
shall have been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns
and reports shall have been paid, or provision shall have been made for the
payment thereof. To the best of the Selling Fund's knowledge, no such return is
currently under audit, and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such
returns.
(j) For each fiscal year of its operation, the Selling Fund has met
the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as
a regulated investment company and has distributed in each such year all net
investment income and realized capital gains.
(k) All issued and outstanding shares of the Selling Fund are, and
at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid
and non-assessable by the Selling Fund. All of the issued and outstanding shares
of the Selling Fund will, at the time of the Closing Date, be held by the
persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the transfer agent as
provided in paragraph 3.3. The Selling Fund does not have outstanding any
options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the
Selling Fund shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any
of the Selling Fund shares.
(l) At the Closing Date, the Selling Fund will have good and
marketable title to the Selling Fund's assets to be transferred to the Acquiring
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.2 and full right, power, and authority to sell,
assign, transfer, and deliver such assets hereunder, and, upon delivery and
payment for such assets, the Acquiring Fund will acquire good and marketable
title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof,
including such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act, other than as
disclosed to the Acquiring Fund and accepted by the Acquiring Fund.
(m) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Selling Fund
and, subject to approval by the Selling Fund's shareholders, this Agreement
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Selling Fund, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equity principles.
(n) The information furnished by the Selling Fund for use in
no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy
materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby is accurate and complete in all material
respects and complies in all material respects with federal securities and other
laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto.
(o) The Selling Fund has provided the Acquiring Fund with
information reasonably necessary for the preparation of a prospectus, which
included the proxy statement of the Selling Fund (the "Prospectus/Proxy
Statement"), all of which was included in a Registration Statement on Form N-14
of the Acquiring Fund (the "Registration Statement"), in compliance with the
1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") and
the 1940 Act in connection with the meeting of the shareholders of the Selling
Fund to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The
Prospectus/Proxy Statement included in the Registration Statement (other than
information therein that relates to the Acquiring Fund and any other fund
described therein other than the Selling Fund) does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.
4.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND. The Acquiring Fund represents
and warrants to the Selling Fund as follows:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust,
a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust,
which is registered as an investment company classified as a management company
of the open-end type, and its registration with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), is in full force and effect.
(c) The prospectus and statement of additional information, as of
the date of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, of the Acquiring Fund will conform
in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not
include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) The Acquiring Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement will not result, in violation of the Trust's
Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or of any material agreement, indenture,
instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is
a party or by which it is bound.
(e) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Selling Fund and
accepted by the Selling Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding or
investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending
or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any of its
properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and
adversely affect its financial condition and the conduct of its business or the
ability of the Acquiring Fund to carry out the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for
the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the
provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body
that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate
the transactions contemplated herein.
(f) The audited financial statements of the Selling Fund at March
31, 2006 are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished
to the Acquiring Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Selling
Fund as of such date, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the
Selling Fund as of such date not disclosed therein.
(g) Since March 31, 2006, there has not been any material adverse
change in the Acquiring Fund's financial condition, assets, liabilities, or
business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any
incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year
from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to
and accepted by the Selling Fund. For the purposes of this subparagraph (g), a
decline in the net asset value of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a
material adverse change.
(h) At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and
reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law then to be filed by such date
shall have been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns
and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the
payment thereof. To the best of the Acquiring Fund's knowledge, no such return
is currently under audit, and no assessment has been asserted with respect to
such returns.
(i) For each fiscal year of its operation, the Acquiring Fund has
met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment
as a regulated investment company and has distributed in each such year all net
investment income and realized capital gains.
(j) All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares are, and at the
Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
non-assessable. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options,
warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund
Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Acquiring
Fund Shares.
(k) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquiring Fund,
and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring
Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to
or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.
(l) The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the
Selling Fund, for the account of the Selling Fund Shareholders, pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement will, at the Closing Date, have been duly authorized
and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly issued Acquiring
Fund Shares, and will be fully paid and non-assessable.
(m) The information furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in
no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy
materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby is accurate and complete in all material
respects and complies in all material respects with federal securities and other
laws and regulations applicable thereto.
(n) The Prospectus/Proxy Statement included in the Registration
Statement (only insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund) does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading.
(o) The Acquiring Fund agrees to use all reasonable efforts to
obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act,
and such of the state Blue Sky or securities laws as it may deem appropriate in
order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AND THE SELLING FUND
5.1 OPERATION IN ORDINARY COURSE. The Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund
each will operate its business in the ordinary course between the date hereof
and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business
will include customary dividends and distributions.
5.2 APPROVAL BY SHAREHOLDERS. The Trust will call a meeting of the
shareholders of the Selling Fund to consider and act upon this Agreement and to
take all other action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions
contemplated herein.
5.3 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. The Selling Fund covenants that the
Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued hereunder are not being acquired for the
purpose of making any distribution thereof other than in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
5.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The Selling Fund will assist the Acquiring
Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests
concerning the beneficial ownership of the Selling Fund shares.
5.5 FURTHER ACTION. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the
Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund will each take, or cause to be taken, all
action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including any actions required to be taken after the Closing Date.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLING FUND
The obligations of the Selling Fund to consummate the transactions
provided for herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the
Acquiring Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or
before the Closing Date, and, in addition thereto, the following further
conditions:
6.1 All representations and warranties of the Acquiring Fund contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
hereof and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on
and as of the Closing Date, and the Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the
Selling Fund a certificate executed in its name by the Trust's President or Vice
President, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Selling Fund and
dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the
Selling Fund shall reasonably request.
6.2 With respect to the Selling Fund, the Trust shall have received on the
Closing Date an opinion from [_______] LLP, special counsel to the Trust and the
Acquiring Fund, dated as of the Closing Date, in a form reasonably satisfactory
to the Selling Fund, covering the following points:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of a business
trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and, to such counsel's knowledge, has the
trust power to own all of its properties and assets and, to carry on its
business as presently conducted.
(b) The Acquiring Fund is a separate series of a Massachusetts
business trust registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and, to
such counsel's knowledge, such registration with the Commission as an investment
company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered
by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund and, assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Selling Fund, is a valid and
binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund enforceable against the Acquiring Fund
in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, and other laws
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and to general equity
principles.
(d) Assuming that a consideration therefore not less than the net
asset value thereof has been paid, the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and
delivered to the Selling Fund on behalf of the Selling Fund Shareholders as
provided by this Agreement are duly authorized and upon such delivery will be
legally issued and outstanding and fully paid and non-assessable, and no
shareholder of the Acquiring Fund has any statutory preemptive rights in respect
thereof.
(e) The Registration Statement, to the knowledge of such counsel,
has been declared effective by the Commission and no stop order under the 1933
Act pertaining thereto has been issued; and to the knowledge of such counsel, no
consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority
of the United States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for
consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein,
except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and as
may be required under state securities laws.
(f) The execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, result in a
violation of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or a material provision
of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other
undertaking (in each case known to such counsel) to which the Acquiring Fund is
a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or, to the
knowledge of such counsel, result in the acceleration of any obligation or the
imposition of any penalty under any agreement, judgment, or decree to which the
Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(g) Only insofar as they relate to the Acquiring Fund, the
descriptions in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement of statutes, legal and
governmental proceedings and material contracts, if any, are accurate and fairly
present the information required to be shown.
(h) In the ordinary course of such counsel's representation of the
Acquiring Fund, and without having made any investigation, such counsel does not
know of any legal or governmental proceedings, only insofar as they relate to
the Acquiring Fund, existing on or before the effective date of the Registration
Statement or the Closing Date required to be described in the Registration
Statement or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not
described or filed as required.
(i) In the ordinary course of such counsel's representation of the
Acquiring Fund, and without having made any investigation, and except as
otherwise disclosed, to the knowledge of such counsel, no litigation or
administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or
governmental body is presently pending or threatened as to the Acquiring Fund or
any of its properties or assets and the Acquiring Fund is not a party to or
subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or
governmental body, which materially and adversely affects its business, other
than as previously disclosed in the Registration Statement.
(j) To the knowledge of such counsel no consent, approval,
authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United
States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for consummation by the
Acquiring Fund of the transaction contemplated herein, except as has and as may
be obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and as may be
required under state securities laws.
Such opinion shall contain such assumptions and limitations as shall be in
the opinion of [___________] LLP appropriate to render the opinions expressed
therein.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND
The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to complete the transactions
provided for herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the
Selling Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or before
the Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following conditions:
7.1 All representations and warranties of the Selling Fund contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing
Date, and the Selling Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund on the
Closing Date a certificate executed in its name by the Trust's President or Vice
President, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as
of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the
Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.
7.2 The Selling Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a
statement of the Selling Fund's assets and liabilities, together with a list of
the Selling Fund's portfolio securities showing the tax costs of such securities
by lot and the holding periods of such securities, as of the Closing Date,
certified by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.
7.3 With respect to the Acquiring Fund, the Trust shall have received on
the Closing Date an opinion of [_______________] LLP, special counsel to the
Trust and the Selling Fund, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring
Fund, covering the following points:
(a) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, a
business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has the trust power to own all of
its properties and assets and, to the knowledge of such counsel, to carry on its
business as presently conducted.
(b) The Selling Fund is a separate investment series of a
Massachusetts business trust registered as an investment company under the 1940
Act, and, to such counsel's knowledge, such registration with the Commission as
an investment company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Trust on behalf of the Selling Fund and, assuming due authorization,
execution, and delivery of this Agreement by the Acquiring Fund, is a valid and
binding obligation of the Selling Fund enforceable against the Selling Fund in
accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and other laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally and to general equity principles.
(d) Assuming that a consideration therefore of not less than the net
asset value thereof has been paid, and assuming that such shares were issued in
accordance with the terms of the Selling Fund's registration statement, or any
amendment thereto, in effect at the time of such issuance, all issued and
outstanding shares of the Selling Fund are legally issued and fully paid and
non-assessable.
(e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, result in a
violation of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or By-laws, or a material
provision of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or
other undertaking (in each case known to such counsel) to which the Selling Fund
is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or, to the
knowledge of such counsel, result in the acceleration of any obligation or the
imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, judgment, or decree to which the
Selling Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(f) Only insofar as they relate to the Selling Fund, the
descriptions in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement of statutes, legal and
governmental proceedings and material contracts, if any, are accurate and fairly
represent the information required to be shown.
(g) In the ordinary course of such counsel's representation of the
Selling Fund and without having made any investigation, such counsel does not
know of any legal or governmental proceedings, only insofar as they relate to
the Selling Fund existing on or before the effective date of the Registration
Statement or the Closing Date, required to be described in the Registration
Statement or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not
described or filed as required.
(h) In the ordinary course of such counsel's representation of the
Selling Fund and without having made any investigation, and except as otherwise
disclosed, to the knowledge of such counsel, no litigation or administrative
proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is
presently pending or threatened as to the Selling Fund or any of its respective
properties or assets and the Selling Fund is not a party to nor subject to the
provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body,
which materially and adversely affects its business other than as previously
disclosed in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
(i) To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval,
authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United
States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for consummation by the
Selling Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been
obtained under the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and as may be required
under state securities laws.
Such opinion shall contain such other assumptions and limitations as shall
be in the opinion of [_______________] LLP appropriate to render the opinions
expressed therein.
ARTICLE VIII
FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF
THE ACQUIRING FUND AND THE SELLING FUND
If any of the conditions set forth below do not exist on or before the
Closing Date with respect to the Selling Fund or the Acquiring Fund, the other
party to this Agreement shall, at its option, not be required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement:
8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have
been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of
the Selling Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Trust's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws and certified copies of the resolutions
evidencing such approval shall have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund or
the Selling Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.1.
8.2 On the Closing Date, the Commission shall not have issued an
unfavorable report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor instituted any
proceeding seeking to enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act and no action, suit or
other proceeding shall be threatened or pending before any court or governmental
agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other
relief in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
herein.
8.3 All required consents of other parties and all other consents, orders,
and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities (including those
of the Commission and of state Blue Sky securities authorities, including any
necessary "no-action" positions of and exemptive orders from such federal and
state authorities) to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such
consent, order, or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect
on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Selling Fund, provided
that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions.
8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933
Act, and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties
hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been
instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated under the 0000 Xxx.
8.5 The Selling Fund shall have declared a dividend or dividends which,
together with all previous such dividends shall have the effect of distributing
to the Selling Fund Shareholders all of the Selling Fund's investment company
taxable income for all taxable periods ending on the Closing Date (computed
without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and all of the net capital
gains realized in all taxable periods ending on the Closing Date (after
reduction for any capital loss carryforward).
8.6 The Trust shall have received a favorable opinion of [_______________]
LLP addressed to the Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund substantially to the
effect that, for federal income tax purposes:
(a) The transfer of all of the Selling Fund assets in exchange
for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the
liabilities of the Selling Fund followed by the distribution of the Acquiring
Fund Shares to the Selling Fund Shareholders in dissolution and liquidation of
the Selling Fund will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund will
each be a "party to a reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b) of
the Code.
(b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon
the receipt of the assets of the Selling Fund solely in exchange for the
Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the
liabilities of the Selling Fund.
(c) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Selling Fund upon the
transfer of the Selling Fund's assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the
Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the
liabilities of the Selling Fund or upon the distribution (whether actual or
constructive) of the Acquiring Fund Shares to Selling Fund Shareholders in
exchange for their shares of the Selling Fund.
(d) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Selling Fund
Shareholders upon the exchange of their Selling Fund shares for the Acquiring
Fund Shares in liquidation of the Selling Fund.
(e) The aggregate tax basis for the Acquiring Fund Shares received
by each Selling Fund Shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same
as the aggregate tax basis of the Selling Fund shares held by such Shareholder
immediately prior to the Closing. The holding period of the Acquiring Fund
Shares received by each Selling Fund Shareholder will include the period during
which the Selling Fund shares exchanged therefore were held by such Shareholder
(provided the Selling Fund shares were held as capital assets on the date of the
Closing).
(f) The tax basis of the Selling Fund assets acquired by the
Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets to the Selling
Fund immediately prior to the Closing, and the holding period of the assets of
the Selling Fund in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the period
during which those assets were held by the Selling Fund.
(g) The Acquiring Fund will succeed to and take into account the
items of the Selling Fund described in Section 381(c) of the Code, subject to
the conditions and limitations specified in Sections 381, 382, 383 and 384 of
the Code and applicable regulations thereunder.
Such opinion shall contain such assumptions and limitations as shall be in
the opinion of [______________] appropriate to render the opinions expressed
therein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring
Fund nor the Selling Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph
8.6.
ARTICLE IX
EXPENSES
9.1 Except as otherwise provided for herein, all expenses of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement incurred by the Selling Fund and the
Acquiring Fund, whether incurred before or after the date of this Agreement,
will be borne by Touchstone Advisors, Inc., the investment advisor to the Trust.
Such expenses include, without limitation, (a) expenses incurred in connection
with the entering into and the carrying out of the provisions of this Agreement;
(b) expenses associated with the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statement under the 1933 Act covering the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement; (c) registration or qualification
fees and expenses of preparing and filing such forms as are necessary under
applicable state securities laws to qualify the Acquiring Fund Shares to be
issued in connection herewith in each state in which the Selling Fund
Shareholders are residents as of the date of the mailing of the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement to such shareholders; (d) postage; (e) printing; (f) accounting fees;
(g) legal fees; and (h) solicitation costs of the transaction.
ARTICLE X
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES
10.1 The Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund agree that neither party has
made any representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
10.2 The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in this
Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION
11.1 This Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of the
Acquiring Fund and the Selling Fund. In addition, either the Acquiring Fund or
the Selling Fund may at its option terminate this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date because:
(a) of a breach by the other of any representation, warranty, or
agreement contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date, if
not cured within 30 days;
(b) a condition herein expressed to be precedent to the obligations
of the terminating party has not been met and it reasonably appears that it will
not or cannot be met; or
(c) a determination by the Trust's Board of Trustees that the
consummation of the Transaction contemplated herein is not in the best interest
of the Selling Fund or the Acquiring Fund.
11.2 In the event of any such termination, in the absence of willful
default, there shall be no liability for damages on the part of the Acquiring
Fund, the Selling Fund, the Trust, or its Trustees or officers, to the other
party, but each shall bear the expenses incurred by it incidental to the
preparation and carrying out of this Agreement as provided in paragraph 9.1.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
12.1 This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented in such
manner as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the authorized officers of
the Trust; provided, however, that following the meeting of shareholders of the
Selling Fund pursuant to paragraph 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may
have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of the
Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Selling Fund Shareholders under this
Agreement to the detriment of such Selling Fund Shareholders without their
further approval.
ARTICLE XIII
HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT;
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
13.1 The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
13.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original.
13.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the
conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
13.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or
transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any
party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed
or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person,
firm, or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of
this Agreement.
13.5 With respect to the Trust, the name used herein refers respectively
to the trust created and, as the case may be, the Trustees, as trustees but not
individually or personally, acting from time to time under organizational
documents filed in Massachusetts, which are hereby referred to and are also on
file at the principal offices of the Trust. The obligations of the Trust entered
into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, representatives or
agents of the Trust, are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are
not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders or representatives of the
Trust personally, but bind only the trust property, and all persons dealing with
the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund must look solely to the trust property
belonging to the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund for the enforcement of any
claims against the Selling Fund and the Acquiring Fund, respectively.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, all as
of the date first written above.
TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST
ON BEHALF OF THE LARGE CAP
CORE EQUITY FUND
By:
-----------------------
Name: Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Title: President
TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST
ON BEHALF OF THE VALUE
PLUS FUND
By:
-----------------------
Name: Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Title: President
