J.P. Morgan Funds
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PART I
November 1, 2023
JPMORGAN TRUST I (“JPMT I”) 
Fund Name
I
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend Income Fund
JIJSX
JIRBX
JITLX
JITKX
JIBBX
JIYBX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2020 Fund
JSSRX
JIORX
JSTKX
JSTLX
JBSRX
JSYRX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2025 Fund
JBSSX
JBRSX
JBTUX
JBTBX
JBBSX
JBYSX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2030 Fund
JRBEX
JRBRX
JUTPX
JUTUX
JRBBX
JRBYX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2035 Fund
JPSRX
JPRRX
JPTLX
JPTKX
JPBRX
JPYRX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2040 Fund
JOBEX
JOBRX
JNTEX
JNTNX
JOBBX
JOBYX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2045 Fund
JMSSX
JNARX
JNTOX
JNTLX
JMBRX
JMYAX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2050 Fund
JNEAX
JNNRX
JNTKX
JNTPX
JNABX
JNYAX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2055 Fund
JPTBX
JTRBX
JTTUX
JTTLX
JTBBX
JTYBX
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2060 Fund
JACSX
JATPX
JATQX
JATUX
JAABX
JAAYX
JPMORGAN TRUST IV (“JPMT IV”) 
Fund Name
I
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2065 Fund
JSBSX
JSBZX
JSBPX
JSBQX
JSMDX
JSBYX
(each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”)
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus but contains additional information which should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses for the Funds, dated November 1, 2023, as supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectuses”). Additionally, this SAI incorporates by reference the financial statements dated June 30, 2023 included in the annual Shareholder Reports relating to the Funds (collectively, “Financial Statements”). The Prospectuses and the Financial Statements, including the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Reports, are available without charge upon request by contacting JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. (“JPMDS” or the “Distributor”), the Funds’ distributor, at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240.
This SAI is divided into two Parts – Part I and Part II. Part I of this SAI contains information that is particular to each Fund. Part II of this SAI contains information that generally applies to the Funds and other J.P. Morgan Funds. For more information about the Funds or the Financial Statements, simply write or call:
J.P. Morgan Funds Services
P.O. Box 219143
Kansas City, MO 64121-9143
1-800-480-4111
SAI-SRB-1123
Part I

Table of Contents 
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
4
10
10
10
10
11
11
13
13
14
14
17
18
19
19
19
19
20
20
20
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
25
25
25
25
26
26
26
26
26
27
PLEASE SEE PART II OF THIS SAI FOR ITS TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL
The Trusts and the Funds
The Funds (other than the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund) are series of JPMorgan Trust I (“JPMT I” or the “Trust”), an open-end, management investment company formed as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 12, 2004, pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated November 5, 2004, as subsequently amended.
The JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund is a series of JPMorgan Trust IV (“JPMT IV” and, collectively with JPMT I, the “Trusts”), an open-end, management investment company formed as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 11, 2015, pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated November 11, 2015, as subsequently amended.
Share Classes
Shares in the Funds of the Trusts are generally offered in multiple classes. The following chart shows the share classes offered by each of the Funds as of the date of this SAI: 
Fund
Class I
Class
R2
Class
R3
Class
R4
Class
R5
Class
R6
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund
X
X
X
X
X
X
The shares of the Funds are collectively referred to in this SAI as the “Shares.”
Miscellaneous
This SAI describes the financial history, investment strategies and policies, management and operation of each of the Funds in order to enable investors to select the Fund or Funds which best suit their needs.
This SAI provides additional information with respect to the Funds and should be read in conjunction with the relevant Fund’s current Prospectuses. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings accorded to them in the applicable Prospectus. The Funds’ executive offices are located at 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172.
This SAI is divided into two Parts – Part I and Part II. Part I of this SAI contains information that is particular to each Fund. Part II of this SAI contains information that generally applies to the Funds and other series representing separate investment funds or portfolios of JPMT I, JPMorgan Trust II (“JPMT II”), JPMorgan Trust IV (“JPMT IV”), J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Investment Trust (“JPMMFIT”), J.P. Morgan Fleming Mutual Fund Group, Inc. (“JPMFMFG”) and Undiscovered Managers Funds (“UMF”), (each a “J.P. Morgan Fund,” and together with the Funds, the “J.P. Morgan Funds”). Throughout this SAI, JPMT I, JPMT II, JPMT IV, JPMMFIT, JPMFMFG and UMF are each referred to as a “Trust” and collectively, as the “Trusts.” Each Trust’s Board of Trustees, or Board of Directors in the case of JPMFMFG, is referred to herein as the “Board of Trustees” and each trustee or director is referred to as a “Trustee.”
The Funds are advised by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (“JPMIM”). Certain other of the J.P. Morgan Funds are sub-advised by J.P. Morgan Private Investments Inc. (“JPMPI”), or Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. (“Fuller & Thaler”). JPMIM is also referred to herein as the “Adviser.” JPMPI and Fuller & Thaler are also referred to herein as the “Sub-Adviser.”
Each SmartRetirement Blend Funds are “funds of funds” that invest their assets in a diversified group of other mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) within the same group of investment companies (i.e., J.P. Morgan Funds) and will, for limited purposes, also invest in passive ETFs that are managed by unaffiliated investment advisers (unaffiliated passive ETFs) (collectively with the J.P. Morgan Funds, the underlying funds). A passive ETF is a registered investment company that seeks to track the performance of a particular market index. These indices include not only broad-based market indices but
Part I - 1
more specific indices as well, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, factors, regions or industries. In addition, the Funds may invest directly in securities and other financial instruments, including derivatives.
Investments in the Funds are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase Bank”), an affiliate of the Adviser, or any other bank. Shares of the Funds are not federally insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other governmental agency. An investment in a Fund is subject to risk that may cause the value of the investment to fluctuate, and when the investment is redeemed, the value may be higher or lower than the amount originally invested by the investor.
The Adviser, with respect to each Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility with the National Futures Association (“NFA”) claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) with respect to the Fund’s operations. Therefore, each Fund and the Adviser with respect to each such Fund are not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or CPO under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended. Changes to a Fund’s investment strategies or investments may cause the Fund to lose the benefits of this exclusion and may trigger additional CFTC requirements. If the Adviser or a Fund becomes subject to these requirements, as well as related NFA rules, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following investment policies have been adopted by JPMT I and JPMT IV with respect to the applicable Funds. The investment policies listed below under the heading “Fundamental Investment Policies” are “fundamental” policies which, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, as such term is defined in “Additional Information” in Part II of this SAI. All other investment policies of the Funds are non-fundamental, unless otherwise designated in the Prospectuses or herein, and may be changed by the Trustees of the Funds without shareholder approval.
Except for the restriction on borrowing set forth in the fundamental investment policy (3) below, the percentage limitations contained in the policies below apply at the time of purchase of the securities. If a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth in a fundamental investment policy or a non-fundamental investment policy or in a Prospectus is adhered to at the time of investment, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by a Fund will not be considered a violation and such Fund may continue to hold any securities affecting that percentage or rating policy. With respect to fundamental investment policy (3), a Fund may borrow from any bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by a Fund and provided further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, a Fund shall, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) thereafter or such longer period as the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowing shall be at least 300%. A Fund may also borrow money if such borrowing does not constitute “senior securities” under the 1940 Act or engage in economically similar transactions if those transactions comply with the applicable requirements of the SEC under the 1940 Act.
For purposes of fundamental investment policies regarding industry concentration, “to concentrate” generally means to invest more than 25% of a Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of investment. These fundamental investment policies regarding industry concentration do not apply to securities issued by other investment companies, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, any state or territory of the U.S., its agencies, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions, or repurchase agreements secured thereby. For the purposes of the fundamental investment policy regarding industry concentration, the Fund currently utilizes any one or more of the industry and/or sub-industry classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the Adviser. The Adviser may classify and re-classify companies in a particular industry or sub-industry and define and re-define industries and sub-industries in any reasonable manner, consistent with SEC guidance. Accordingly, the composition of an industry or group of industries may change from time to time. The policy will be interpreted to give broad authority to the Adviser as to how to classify issuers. For purposes of fundamental investment policies regarding industry concentration, “group of industries” means a group of related industries, as determined in good faith by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, based on published classifications or other sources.
Part I - 2
Fundamental Investment Policies
(1) (a) The JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund, the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund and JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund may not underwrite the securities of other issuers except to the extent that the Fund, in disposing of portfolio securities, may be deemed an underwriter under certain securities laws;
(2) (a) The JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund, the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund and JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund may not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except as may be permitted by the 1940 Act or unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments issued by persons that purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts; but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing, selling and entering into financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), options on financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), warrants, swaps, forward contracts, foreign currency spot and forward contracts or other derivative instruments including derivatives related to physical commodities;
(3) The Funds may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted by applicable law;
(4) The Funds may make loans to other persons in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and to the extent permitted by applicable law;
(5)
The Funds may not make any investment inconsistent with its classification as a diversified company under the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time;
(6) The Funds may not purchase the security which would cause the Fund to concentrate its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in any particular industry or group of industries;
(7) The Funds may not issue senior securities, except permitted under the 1940 Act or any rule, order or interpretation thereunder; and
(8) The Funds may not invest directly in real estate unless it is acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction shall not prevent a Fund from investing in securities or other instruments (a) issued by companies that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate, or (b) backed or secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
Non-Fundamental Investment Policies.
The investment policies described below are non-fundamental policies of the Funds and may be changed by the Trustees of the Funds without shareholder approval. These non-fundamental investment policies provide that The JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund, the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund and JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund may not purchase or sell interests in oil, gas or mineral leases.
INVESTMENT PRACTICES
Investments in Underlying Funds
The Funds’ investments are concentrated in the Underlying Funds. As a result, each Fund’s net asset value is impacted by the performance and risk of the Underlying Funds. The main risks associated with the Funds’ investments in the Underlying Funds are described in the Prospectuses. The Funds’ may invest in Underlying Funds that are J.P. Morgan Funds. For a complete discussion of the investments and risks of the
Part I - 3
J.P. Morgan Funds, including risks associated with the types of securities in which a particular J.P. Morgan Fund invests, please see the Prospectuses and SAI for the applicable J.P. Morgan Fund, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-480-4111 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.jpmorganfunds.com.
Direct Investments in Securities, Futures, and Other Instruments
Although the Funds invest in Underlying Funds, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may also invest in securities and other financial instruments, including derivatives.
The Funds have filed a notice under the Commodity Exchange Act under Regulation 4.5 and are operated by a person that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act. Certain other Funds may rely on no action relief issued by the CFTC.
The following is a list of some of the securities and techniques which may be utilized by the Funds. In addition, the strategies and techniques listed below may be used by the Underlying Funds even if the Funds do not utilize such securities and techniques directly.
For a more complete discussion, see the “Investment Strategies and Policies” section in Part II of this SAI and, with respect to Underlying Funds that are J.P. Morgan Funds, the Prospectuses and SAIs of such Underlying Funds. 
FUND NAME
FUND CODE
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
1
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
2
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
3
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
4
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
5
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
6
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
7
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
8
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
9
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
10
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund
11
 
Instrument
Fund Code
Part II
Section Reference
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (“ARMs”): Loans in a
mortgage pool which provide for a fixed initial mortgage
interest rate for a specified period of time, after which the
rate may be subject to periodic adjustments.
1-11
Mortgage-Related
Securities
Asset-Backed Securities: Securities secured by company
receivables, home equity loans, truck and auto loans, leases,
and credit card receivables or other securities backed by
other types of receivables or other assets.
1-11
Asset-Backed
Securities
Auction Rate Securities: Auction rate municipal securities
and auction rate preferred securities issued by closed-end
investment companies.
1-11
Auction Rate
Securities
Bank Obligations: Bankers’ acceptances, certificates of
deposit and time deposits. Bankers’ acceptances are bills of
exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a
commercial bank. Maturities are generally six months or
less. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued
by a bank for a specified period of time and earning a
specified return. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts
issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds.
1-11
Bank Obligations
Part I - 4
Instrument
Fund Code
Part II
Section Reference
Borrowings: A Fund may borrow for temporary purposes
and/or for investment purposes. Such a practice will result
in leveraging of a Fund’s assets and may cause a Fund to
liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be
advantageous to do so. A Fund must maintain continuous
asset coverage of 300% of the amount borrowed, with the
exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the Fund’s
total assets made for temporary administrative purposes.
1-11
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Brady Bonds: Securities created through the exchange of
existing commercial bank loans to public and private entities
in certain emerging markets for new bonds in connection
with debt restructurings.
1-11
Foreign Investments
(including Foreign
Currencies)
Call and Put Options: A call option gives the buyer the right
to buy, and obligates the seller of the option to sell, a
security at a specified price at a future date. A put option
gives the buyer the right to sell, and obligates the seller of
the option to buy a security at a specified price at a future
date. A Fund will sell only covered call and secured put
options.
1-11
Options and Futures
Transactions
Commercial Paper: Secured and unsecured short-term
promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities.
Maturities generally vary from a few days to nine months.
1-11
Commercial Paper
Commodity-Linked Derivatives: Securities whose value
derives from the price of a commodity, including
commodity futures and commodity options.
*
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Commodity-Related Pooled Investment Vehicles: Ownership
interests in grantor trusts and other pooled investment
vehicles that hold tangible assets such as gold, silver or
other commodities or invest in commodities futures. Grantor
trusts are typically traded on an exchange.
1-11
Commodity-Related
Pooled Investment
Vehicles
Common Stock: Shares of ownership of a company.
1-11
Equity Securities,
Warrants and Rights
Common Stock Warrants and Rights: Securities, typically
issued with preferred stock or bonds, that give the holder the
right to buy a proportionate amount of common stock at a
specified price.
1-11
Equity Securities,
Warrants and Rights
Convertible Securities: Bonds or preferred stock that can
convert to common stock including contingent convertible
securities.
1-11
Convertible
Securities
Corporate Debt Securities: May include bonds and other
debt securities of domestic and foreign issuers, including
obligations of industrial, utility, banking and other corporate
issuers.
1-11
Debt Instruments
Credit Default Swaps (“CDSs”): A swap agreement
between two parties pursuant to which one party pays the
other a fixed periodic coupon for the specified life of the
agreement. The other party makes no payment unless a
credit event, relating to a predetermined reference asset,
occurs. If such an event occurs, the party will then make a
payment to the first party, and the swap will terminate.
1-11
Swaps and Related
Swap Products
Part I - 5
Instrument
Fund Code
Part II
Section Reference
Custodial Receipts: A Fund may acquire securities in the
form of custodial receipts that evidence ownership of future
interest payments, principal payments or both on certain
U.S. Treasury notes or bonds in connection with programs
sponsored by banks and brokerage firms. These are not
considered to be U.S. government securities. These notes
and bonds are held in custody by a bank on behalf of the
owners of the receipts.
1-11
Custodial Receipts
Demand Features: Securities that are subject to puts and
standby commitments to purchase the securities at a fixed
price (usually with accrued interest) within a fixed period of
time following demand by a Fund.
1-11
Demand Features
Emerging Market Securities: Securities issued by issuers or
governments in countries with emerging economies or
securities markets which may be undergoing significant
evolution or rapid development.
1-11
Foreign Investments
(including Foreign
Currencies)
Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”): Ownership interest in
unit investment trusts, depositary receipts, and other pooled
investment vehicles that hold a portfolio of securities or
stocks designed to track the price performance and dividend
yield of a particular broad-based, sector or international
index. ETFs include a wide range of investments.
1-11
Investment
Company Securities
and Exchange
Traded Funds
Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”): Senior, unsubordinated
debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance
of a particular market benchmark or strategy minus
applicable fees.
1-11
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Foreign Currency Transactions: Strategies used to hedge
against currency risks, for other risk management purposes
or to increase income or gain to a Fund. These strategies
may consist of use of any of the following: options on
currencies, currency futures, options on such futures,
forward foreign currency transactions (including non-
deliverable forwards (“NDFs”)), forward rate agreements
and currency swaps, caps and floors.
1-11
Foreign Investments
(including Foreign
Currencies)
Foreign Investments: Equity and debt securities (e.g., bonds
and commercial paper) of foreign entities and obligations of
foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks. Foreign
securities may also include American Depositary Receipts
(“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European
Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and American Depositary
Securities (“ADS”).
1-11
Foreign Investments
(including Foreign
Currencies)
High Yield/High Risk Securities/Junk Bonds: Securities that
are generally rated below investment grade by the primary
rating agencies or are unrated but deemed by a Fund’s
adviser to be of comparable quality.
1-11
Debt Instruments
Inflation-Linked Debt Securities: Fixed and floating rate
debt securities of varying maturities issued by the U.S.
government as well as securities issued by other entities
such as corporations, foreign governments and foreign
issuers.
1-11
Debt Instruments
Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”): A transaction in which a
previously private company makes its first sale of stock to
the public.
1-11
Equity Securities,
Warrants and Rights
Interfund Lending: Involves lending money and borrowing
money for temporary purposes through a credit facility.
1-11
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Part I - 6
Instrument
Fund Code
Part II
Section Reference
Inverse Floating Rate Instruments: Leveraged variable debt
instruments with interest rates that reset in the opposite
direction from the market rate of interest to which the
inverse floater is indexed.
1-11
Inverse Floaters and
Interest Rate Caps
Investment Company Securities: Shares of other investment
companies, including money market funds for which the
adviser and/or its affiliates serve as investment adviser or
administrator. The adviser will waive certain fees when
investing in funds for which it serves as investment adviser,
to the extent required by law or by contract.
1-11
Investment
Company Securities
and Exchange
Traded Funds
Loan Assignments and Participations: Assignments of, or
participations in, all or a portion of loans to corporations or
to governments, including governments of lesser developed
countries.
1-11
Loans
Master Limited Partnership: Limited partnerships that are
publicly traded on a securities exchange.
1-11
Master Limited
Partnerships
Mortgages (Directly Held): Debt instruments secured by
real property.
1-11
Mortgage-Related
Securities
Mortgage-Backed Securities: Debt obligations secured by
real estate loans and pools of loans such as collateralized
mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-
backed securities (“CMBSs”) and other asset-backed
structures.
1-11
Mortgage-Related
Securities
Mortgage Dollar Rolls: A transaction in which a Fund sells
securities for delivery in a current month and
simultaneously contracts with the same party to repurchase
similar but not identical securities on a specified future date.
1-11
Mortgage-Related
Securities
Municipal Securities: Securities issued by a state or political
subdivision to obtain funds for various public purposes.
Municipal securities include, among others, private activity
bonds and industrial development bonds, as well as general
obligation notes, tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation
notes, revenue anticipation notes, other short-term tax-
exempt obligations, municipal leases, obligations of
municipal housing authorities and single family revenue
bonds.
1-11
Municipal Securities
New Financial Products: New options and futures contracts
and other financial products continue to be developed and a
Fund may invest in such options, contracts and products.
1-11
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Obligations of Supranational Agencies: Obligations which
are chartered to promote economic development and are
supported by various governments and governmental
agencies.
1-11
Foreign Investments
(including Foreign
Currencies)
Options and Futures Transactions: A Fund may purchase
and sell (a) exchange traded and over-the-counter put and
call options on securities, indexes of securities and futures
contracts on securities and indexes of securities and (b)
futures contracts on securities and indexes of securities.
1-11
Options and Futures
Transactions
Preferred Stock: A class of stock that generally pays a
dividend at a specified rate and has preference over common
stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.
1-11
Equity Securities,
Warrants and Rights
Private Placements, Restricted Securities and Other
Unregistered Securities: Securities not registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, such as privately placed commercial
paper and Rule 144A securities.
1-11
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Part I - 7
Instrument
Fund Code
Part II
Section Reference
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”): Pooled investment
vehicles which invest primarily in income producing real
estate or real estate related loans or interest.
1-11
Real Estate
Investment Trusts
Repurchase Agreements: The purchase of a security and the
simultaneous commitment to return the security to the seller
at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date. This is
treated as a loan.
1-11
Repurchase
Agreements
Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The sale of a security and
the simultaneous commitment to buy the security back at an
agreed upon price on an agreed upon date. This is treated as
a borrowing by a Fund.
1-11
Reverse Repurchase
Agreements
Securities Issued in Connection with Reorganizations and
Corporate Restructurings: In connection with reorganizing
or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common
stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities.
1-11
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Securities Lending: The lending of up to 33 1∕3% of a Fund’s
total assets. In return, the Fund will receive cash, other
securities, and/or letters of credit as collateral.
*
Securities Lending
Short Selling: A Fund sells a security it does not own in
anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security.
To complete the transaction, a Fund must borrow the
security to make delivery to the buyer. A Fund is obligated
to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it
subsequently at the market price at the time of replacement.
*
Short Selling
Short-Term Funding Agreements: Agreements issued by
banks and highly rated U.S. insurance companies such as
Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”) and Bank
Investment Contracts (“BICs”).
1-11
Short-Term Funding
Agreements
Sovereign Obligations: Investments in debt obligations
issued or guaranteed by a foreign sovereign government or
its agencies, authorities or political subdivisions.
1-11
Foreign Investments
(including Foreign
Currencies)
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities: Derivative multi-
class mortgage securities which are usually structured with
two classes of shares that receive different proportions of the
interest and principal from a pool of mortgage assets. These
include Interest-Only (“IO”) and Principal-Only (“PO”)
securities issued outside a Real Estate Mortgage Investment
Conduit (“REMIC”) or CMO structure.
1-11
Mortgage-Related
Securities
Structured Investments: A security having a return tied to an
underlying index or other security or asset class. Structured
investments generally are individually negotiated
agreements and may be traded over-the-counter. Structured
investments are organized and operated to restructure the
investment characteristics of the underlying index,
commodity, currency or financial instrument.
1-11
Structured
Investments
Swaps and Related Swap Products: Swaps involve an
exchange of obligations by two parties. Caps and floors
entitle a purchaser to a principal amount from the seller of
the cap or floor to the extent that a specified index exceeds
or falls below a predetermined interest rate or amount. A
Fund may enter into these transactions to manage its
exposure to changing interest rates and other factors.
1-11
Swaps and Related
Swap Products
Part I - 8
Instrument
Fund Code
Part II
Section Reference
Synthetic Variable Rate Instruments: Instruments that
generally involve the deposit of a long-term tax exempt
bond in a custody or trust arrangement and the creation of a
mechanism to adjust the long-term interest rate on the bond
to a variable short-term rate and a right (subject to certain
conditions) on the part of the purchaser to tender it
periodically to a third party at par.
1-11
Swaps and Related
Swap Products
Temporary Defensive Positions: To respond to unusual
circumstances a Fund may invest in cash and cash
equivalents for temporary defensive purposes.
1-11
Miscellaneous
Investment
Strategies and Risks
Treasury Receipts: A Fund may purchase interests in
separately traded interest and principal component parts of
U.S. Treasury obligations that are issued by banks or
brokerage firms and that are created by depositing U.S.
Treasury notes and U.S. Treasury bonds into a special
account at a custodian bank. Receipts include Treasury
Receipts (“TRs”), Treasury Investment Growth Receipts
(“TIGRs”), and Certificates of Accrual on Treasury
Securities (“CATS”).
1-11
Treasury Receipts
Trust Preferreds: Securities with characteristics of both
subordinated debt and preferred stock. Trust preferreds are
generally long term securities that make periodic fixed or
variable interest payments.
1-11
Trust Preferred
Securities
U.S. Government Agency Securities: Securities issued by
agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government.
These include all types of securities issued by the
Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie
Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie
Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(“Freddie Mac”), including funding notes, subordinated
benchmark notes, CMOs and REMICs.
1-11
Mortgage-Related
Securities
U.S. Government Obligations: May include direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, including Treasury bills,
notes and bonds, all of which are backed as to principal and
interest payments by the full faith and credit of the United
States, and separately traded principal and interest
component parts of such obligations that are transferable
through the Federal book-entry system known as Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
(“STRIPS”) and Coupons Under Book Entry Safekeeping
(“CUBES”).
1-11
U.S. Government
Obligations
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments: Obligations with
interest rates which are reset daily, weekly, quarterly or some
other frequency and which may be payable to a Fund on
demand or at the expiration of a specified term.
1-11
Debt Instruments
When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and
Forward Commitments: Purchase or contract to purchase
securities at a fixed price for delivery at a future date.
1-11
When-Issued
Securities, Delayed
Delivery Securities
and Forward
Commitments
Part I - 9
Instrument
Fund Code
Part II
Section Reference
Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Deferred Payment
Securities: Zero-coupon securities are securities that are
sold at a discount to par value and on which interest
payments are not made during the life of the security. Pay-
in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by
delivery of additional securities. Deferred payment
securities are zero-coupon debt securities which convert on
a specified date to interest bearing debt securities.
1-11
Debt Instruments
*
Although the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds do not utilize these investments and strategies directly, such investments and strategies may be used by the Underlying Funds.
DIVERSIFICATION
JPMT I and JPMT IV are each a registered management investment company and the Funds are diversified series of JPMT I and JPMT IV, as applicable. For a more complete discussion, see the “Diversification” section in Part II of this SAI.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
A portfolio turnover rate is, in summary, the percentage computed by dividing the lesser of a Fund’s purchases or sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) by the average market value of the Fund. The Adviser intends to manage each Fund’s assets by buying and selling securities to help attain its investment objective. A rate of 100% indicates that the equivalent of all of a Fund’s assets have been sold and reinvested in a year. High portfolio turnover may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions, and, as a result, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Higher portfolio turnover also results in higher transaction costs. To the extent that net short-term capital gains are realized by a Fund, any distributions resulting from such gains are considered ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. For a more complete discussion, see the “Distributions and Tax Matters” section in Part II of this SAI.
The table below sets forth the Funds' portfolio turnover rate for the two most recently completed fiscal years: 
 
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
Fund
2022
2023
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
54%
37%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
56%
26%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
50%
35%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
49%
31%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
32%
25%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
30%
22%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
26%
22%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
30%
21%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
30%
19%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
21%
18%
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
N/A
29%
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
TRUSTEES
Standing Committees
As of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, there were seven standing committees of the Board of Trustees: (i) the Audit and Valuation Committee, (ii) the Compliance Committee, (iii) the Governance Committee, (iv) the Equity Committee, (v) the ETF Committee, (vi) the Fixed Income Committee, and (vii) the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. The following table shows how often each Committee met during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023: 
Committee
Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2023
Audit and Valuation Committee
4
Compliance Committee
4
Part I - 10
Committee
Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2023
Governance Committee
4
Equity Committee
8
ETF Committee
4
Fixed Income Committee
6
Money Market and Alternative Products Committee
7
For a more complete discussion, see the “Trustees” section in Part II of this SAI.
Ownership of Securities
The following table shows the dollar range of each Trustee’s beneficial ownership of equity securities in the Funds and each Trustee’s aggregate dollar range of ownership in the J.P. Morgan Funds as of December 31, 2022: 
Name of Trustee
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend Funds
Aggregate
Dollar Range
of Equity
Securities
in All
Registered
Investment
Companies
Overseen by the
Trustee in
Family of
Investment
Companies1,2
Independent Trustees
John F. Finn
None
Over $100,000
Stephen P. Fisher
None
Over $100,000
Gary L. French
None
Over $100,000
Kathleen M. Gallagher
None
Over $100,000
Robert J. Grassi
None
Over $100,000
Frankie D. Hughes
None
Over $100,000
Raymond Kanner
None
Over $100,000
Thomas P. Lemke
None
Over $100,000
Lawrence R. Maffia
None
Over $100,000
Mary E. Martinez3
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Marilyn McCoy
None
Over $100,000
Dr. Robert A. Oden, Jr.
None
Over $100,000
Marian U. Pardo
None
Over $100,000
Emily A. Youssouf
None
Over $100,000
Interested Trustees
Robert Deutsch
None
Over $100,000
Nina O. Shenker
None
Over $100,000
1
A Family of Investment Companies means any two or more registered investment companies that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. The Family of Investment Companies for which the Board of Trustees currently serves includes nine registered investment companies (170 J.P. Morgan Funds).
2
For Mses. Gallagher and McCoy and Messrs. Finn, Fisher, Kanner and Oden, these amounts include deferred compensation balances, as of 12/31/22, through participation in the J.P. Morgan Funds’ Deferred Compensation Plan for Eligible Trustees. For a more complete discussion, see the “Trustee Compensation” section in Part II of this SAI.
3
Ms. Martinez’s ownership of equity securities is in the SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund and the SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund.
As of December 31, 2022, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members owned securities of the Adviser or JPMDS or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or JPMDS.
Trustee Compensation
Effective January 1, 2023, the Trustees are paid an annual fee of $420,000 (with any new trustees receiving a pro rata portion of the base fee depending on when each became a trustee) and are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with service as a Trustee. Committee chairs who are not already receiving an additional fee are each paid $65,000 annually in addition to their base fee. In addition to the
Part I - 11
base fee, the Chair of the Board of Trustees receives $240,000 annually and is reimbursed expenses in the amount of $4,000 per month. The Chair receives no additional compensation for service as committee chair. In addition to the base fee, the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees receives $140,000 annually. Prior to January 1, 2023, the Trustees were paid an annual fee of $395,000 (with any new trustees receiving a pro rata portion of the base fee depending on when each became a trustee) and reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with service as a Trustee. Committee chairs who were not already receiving an additional fee were each paid $50,000 annually in addition to their base fee. In addition to the base fee, the Chair of the Board received $225,000 annually and was reimbursed expenses in the amount of $4,000 per month. The Chair received no additional compensation for service as committee chair. In addition to the base fee, the Vice Chair of the Board received $125,000 annually.
For funds that are series of the J.P. Morgan Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and which have a unitary management fee, Trustee compensation for the Funds is paid from the management fee by JPMIM. For all other funds, Trustee compensation is paid by the fund. Aggregate Trustee compensation for each Trustee paid by a Fund and all funds in the Fund Complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022, is set forth below: 
Name of Trustee
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend Income Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2020 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2025 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2030 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2035 Fund
Independent Trustees
 
 
 
 
 
John F. Finn
$1,787
$1,967
$2,269
$2,406
$2,357
Stephen P. Fisher
1,680
1,774
1,931
2,003
1,977
Gary L. French
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
Kathleen M. Gallagher
1,680
1,774
1,931
2,003
1,977
Robert J. Grassi
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
Frankie D. Hughes
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
Raymond Kanner
1,680
1,774
1,931
2,003
1,977
Thomas P. Lemke
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
Lawrence R. Maffia
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
Mary E. Martinez
1,726
1,857
2,076
2,176
2,140
Marilyn McCoy
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
Dr. Robert A. Oden, Jr.
1,680
1,774
1,931
2,003
1,977
Marian U. Pardo
1,680
1,774
1,931
2,003
1,977
Emily A. Youssouf
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
Interested Trustees
 
 
 
 
 
Robert Deutsch
1,680
1,774
1,931
2,003
1,977
Nina O. Shenker9
1,649
1,719
1,835
1,888
1,869
 
Name of Trustee
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2040 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2045 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2050 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2055 Fund
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2060 Fund
Independent Trustees
 
 
 
 
 
John F. Finn
$2,272
$2,137
$2,000
$1,806
$1,652
Stephen P. Fisher
1,933
1,862
1,791
1,689
1,609
Gary L. French
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
Kathleen M. Gallagher
1,933
1,862
1,791
1,689
1,609
Robert J. Grassi
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
Frankie D. Hughes
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
Raymond Kanner
1,933
1,862
1,791
1,689
1,609
Thomas P. Lemke
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
Lawrence R. Maffia
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
Mary E. Martinez
2,078
1,980
1,881
1,739
1,627
Marilyn McCoy
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
Dr. Robert A. Oden, Jr.
1,933
1,862
1,791
1,689
1,609
Marian U. Pardo
1,933
1,862
1,791
1,689
1,609
Emily A. Youssouf
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
Interested Trustees
 
 
 
 
 
Robert Deutsch
1,933
1,862
1,791
1,689
1,609
Nina O. Shenker9
1,836
1,784
1,731
1,656
1,597
 
Part I - 12
Name of Trustee
JPMorgan
SmartRetirement
Blend 2065 Fund
Total
Compensation
Paid From
Fund
Complex1
Independent Trustees
 
 
John F. Finn
$130
$620,000
Stephen P. Fisher
130
445,000
Gary L. French
130
395,0002
Kathleen M. Gallagher
130
445,0003
Robert J. Grassi
130
395,000
Frankie D. Hughes
130
395,000
Raymond Kanner
130
445,0004
Thomas P. Lemke
130
395,0005
Lawrence R. Maffia
130
395,000
Mary E. Martinez
130
520,000
Marilyn McCoy
130
395,0006
Dr. Robert A. Oden, Jr.
130
445,000
Marian U. Pardo
130
445,000
Emily A. Youssouf
130
395,0007
Interested Trustees
 
 
Robert Deutsch
130
445,0008
Nina O. Shenker9
130
395,0006
1
A Fund Complex means two or more registered investment companies that (i) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services or (ii) have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies. The J.P. Morgan Funds Complex for which the Board of Trustees currently serves includes nine registered investment companies (170 J.P. Morgan Funds).
2
Includes $118,500 of Deferred Compensation.
3
Includes $133,500 of Deferred Compensation.
4
Includes $445,000 of Deferred Compensation.
5
Includes $276,500 of Deferred Compensation.
6
Includes $395,000 of Deferred Compensation.
7
Includes $108,625 of Deferred Compensation.
8
Includes $163,167 of Deferred Compensation.
9
The compensation Ms. Shenker receives from the Funds is reimbursed by JPMIM.
For a more complete discussion, see the “Trustee Compensation” section in Part II of this SAI.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Investment Advisory Fees
The table below sets forth the investment advisory fees paid by the following Funds to JPMIM (waived amounts are in parentheses), respectively, as applicable with respect to the fiscal years indicated (amounts in thousands): 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
Fund
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income
Fund
$—
$(1,174)
$—
$(1,036)
$—
$(865)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
—
(2,274)
—
(1,918)
—
(1,417)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
—
(3,253)
—
(3,201)
—
(2,691)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
—
(3,690)
—
(3,744)
30
(3,279)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
—
(3,131)
—
(3,472)
—
(3,212)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
—
(2,890)
—
(3,115)
—
(2,885)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
194
(2,001)
—
(2,498)
125
(2,239)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
135
(1,598)
—
(1,914)
128
(1,724)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
18
(909)
—
(1,035)
17
(1,035)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
—
(232)
—
(335)
—
(446)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
—
(3)
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
Part I - 13
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Portfolio Managers' Other Accounts Managed*
The following table shows information regarding all of the other accounts for which advisory fees are not based on the performance of the accounts that are managed by each portfolio manager as of June 30, 2023. 
 
Non-Performance Based Fee Advisory Accounts
Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend Income Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
42,372,897
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
42,579,662
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
58,822,933
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
75,239,656
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2020 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
42,157,595
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
42,364,361
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
58,607,632
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
75,024,355
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2025 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
41,153,819
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
41,360,584
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
57,603,855
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
74,020,578
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2030 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
40,672,420
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
40,879,186
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
57,122,457
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
73,539,180
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2035 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
40,654,077
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
40,860,842
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
57,104,113
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
73,520,836
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2040 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
40,872,145
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
41,078,910
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
57,322,181
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
73,738,904
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2045 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
41,226,733
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
41,433,498
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
57,676,769
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Part I - 14
 
Non-Performance Based Fee Advisory Accounts
Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
74,093,492
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2050 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
41,578,406
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
41,785,172
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
58,028,443
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
74,445,166
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2055 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
42,196,662
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
42,403,428
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
58,646,699
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
75,063,422
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2060 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
42,648,863
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
42,855,628
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
59,098,899
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
75,515,622
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2065 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
23
43,034,059
43
55,506,993
8
39,332,968
Silvia Trillo
24
43,240,824
43
55,506,993
6
20,488,760
Ove Fladberg
27
59,484,095
43
55,506,993
0
0
Anshul Mohan
4
17,781,974
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
38
75,900,818
49
57,929,229
19
31,195,332
The following table shows information regarding the other accounts managed by each portfolio manager that have advisory fees wholly or partly based on performance as of June 30, 2023. 
 
Non-Performance Based Fee Advisory Accounts
Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of
Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend Income Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2020 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2025 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Part I - 15
 
Non-Performance Based Fee Advisory Accounts
Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of
Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2030 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2035 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2040 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2045 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2050 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2055 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2060 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
Part I - 16
 
Non-Performance Based Fee Advisory Accounts
Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
Number
of
Accounts
Total Assets
($thousands)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement
Blend 2065 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
0
0
0
0
0
0
Silvia Trillo
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ove Fladberg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Anshul Mohan
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jeffrey A. Geller
0
0
0
0
1
540,993
*
The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed and other accounts.
Portfolio Managers’ — Ownership of Securities
The following table indicates for each Fund the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager, as of June 30, 2023. Aggregate Dollar Range, if applicable, includes each portfolio manager’s deferred compensation balance attributable to the Fund through participation in the Adviser’s deferred compensation plan. If applicable, this reflects an obligation of the Adviser to pay deferred compensation to the portfolio manager at a future date in an amount based on the performance of that Fund and accordingly, is the economic equivalent of an investment in Fund shares. 
 
Aggregate Dollar Range of Securities in the Fund
None
$1-$10,000
$10,001-
$50,000
$50,001-
$100,000
$100,001-
$500,000
$500,001-
$1,000,000
Over
$1,000,000
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
Income Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2020 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2025 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2030 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2035 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part I - 17
 
Aggregate Dollar Range of Securities in the Fund
None
$1-$10,000
$10,001-
$50,000
$50,001-
$100,000
$100,001-
$500,000
$500,001-
$1,000,000
Over
$1,000,000
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2040 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2045 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2050 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2055 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2060 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2065 Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Oldroyd
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvia Trillo
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ove Fladberg
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anshul Mohan
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey A. Geller
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For a more complete discussion, see the “Portfolio Manager Compensation” section in Part II of this SAI.
Portfolio Managers' Compensation
In evaluating each portfolio manager’s performance with respect to the mutual funds he or she manages, JPMorgan uses the following indices as benchmarks to evaluate the performance of the Funds: 
Name of Fund
Benchmark
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income
Fund
Income Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date
Retirement Income Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
2020 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2020
Index
Part I - 18
Name of Fund
Benchmark
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
2025 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2025
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
2030 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2030
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
2035 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2035
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
2040 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2040
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
2045 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2045
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
2050 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2050
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
2055 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2055
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
2060 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2060+
Index
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund
2065 Composite Benchmark*; S&P Target Date 2065+
Index
*
Each composite benchmark for the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds is a customized benchmark of the indices representing fixed income, equity, international securities, real estate securities and cash. The percentage that each individual index represents in the composite benchmark corresponds to the applicable JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Fund’s strategic target allocation to the asset classes represented by such indices.
Please see “Portfolio Manager Compensation” section in Part II of this SAI for a description of the structure and method of determining the compensation of the portfolio managers identified in the Risk/Return Summary of the Prospectuses.
ADMINISTRATOR
Administrator Fees
The table below sets forth the administration services fees paid by the Funds to J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (the amounts waived are in parentheses) for the fiscal years indicated (amounts in thousands). 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
Fund
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
$315
$(182)
$327
$(191)
$256
$(177)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
679
(286)
657
(302)
471
(238)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
999
(392)
1,161
(440)
959
(387)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
1,155
(422)
1,361
(511)
1,197
(458)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
983
(370)
1,261
(475)
1,161
(445)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
897
(345)
1,124
(434)
1,041
(402)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
672
(277)
877
(372)
835
(347)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
513
(232)
654
(303)
634
(292)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
235
(162)
320
(198)
323
(203)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
21
(80)
42
(125)
96
(127)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
—
(1)
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
For a more complete discussion, see the “Administrator” section in Part II of this SAI.
FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT
Fund Accounting Fees
The table below sets forth the fund accounting fees paid by the Funds to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for the fiscal years indicated (amounts in thousands): 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
Fund
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
$20
$20
$20
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
33
31
24
Part I - 19
 
Fiscal Year Ended
Fund
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
$48
$53
$46
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
54
62
57
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
46
57
55
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
42
51
50
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
33
41
41
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
26
32
32
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
20
20
20
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
20
20
20
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
N/A
N/A
8
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
For more information, see the “Custody and Fund Accounting Fees and Expenses” section in Part II of this SAI.
SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES
The Funds did not engage in securities lending during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. To the extent that a Fund engages in securities lending during the current fiscal year, information concerning the amounts of income and fees/compensation related to securities lending activities will be included in the SAI in the Funds' next annual update to its registration statement.
For more information, see the “Securities Lending Agent” section in Part II of this SAI.
DISTRIBUTOR
Compensation Paid to JPMDS
The following table describes the compensation paid to the principal underwriter, JPMDS, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 (amounts have been rounded to the nearest whole dollar). 
Fund
Total
Underwriting
Discounts
and Commissions
Compensation on
Redemptions
and Repurchases
Brokerage
Commissions
Other
Compensation*
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
Income Fund
$—
$—
$—
$12,167
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2020 Fund
—
—
—
27,751
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2025 Fund
—
—
—
54,488
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2030 Fund
—
—
—
83,249
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2035 Fund
—
—
—
59,742
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2040 Fund
—
—
—
60,077
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2045 Fund
—
—
—
36,614
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2050 Fund
—
—
—
21,427
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2055 Fund
—
—
—
5,501
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2060 Fund
—
—
—
4,244
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend
2065 Fund
—
—
—
107
*
Fees paid by the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 are provided in the “Distribution Fees” section below.
Part I - 20
The table below sets forth the aggregate amount of underwriting commissions retained by JPMDS from the Funds for the fiscal periods indicated. 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
Fund
6/30/21
6/30/22
6/30/23
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
$ —
$ —
$ —
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund
—
—
—
For more information on JPMDS, see the “Distributor” section in Part II of this SAI.
Distribution Fees
The table below sets forth the Rule 12b-1 fees that the Funds paid to JPMDS with respect to the fiscal years indicated (amounts in thousands): 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
Fund
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
Class R2 Shares
$—*
$—
$—*
$—
$—*
$—
Class R3 Shares
20
—
19
—
12
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
Class R2 Shares
—*
—
—*
—
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
97
—
78
—
28
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
Class R2 Shares
6
—
6
—
6
—
Class R3 Shares
107
—
106
—
49
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
Class R2 Shares
1
—
1
—
1
—
Class R3 Shares
150
—
144
—
82
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
Class R2 Shares
2
—
1
—
1
—
Class R3 Shares
87
—
96
—
59
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
Class R2 Shares
—*
—
—*
—
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
87
—
92
—
60
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
Class R2 Shares
—*
—
—*
—
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
48
—
56
—
36
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
Class R2 Shares
—*
—
—*
—
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
33
—
34
—
21
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
Class R2 Shares
1
—
—*
—
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
13
—
12
—
5
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
Class R2 Shares
—*
—
—*
—
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
5
—
6
—
4
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
Class R2 Shares
N/A
N/A
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
N/A
N/A
—*
—
*
Amount rounds to less than $500.
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
Part I - 21
For more complete discussion, see the “Distribution Plan” section in Part II of this SAI.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
Service Fees
Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement, each Fund has agreed to pay JPMDS, for providing shareholder services and other related services, a fee at the following annual rates (expressed as a percentage of the average daily net asset value (“NAV”) of Fund shares owned by or for shareholders): 
Class I, Class R2, Class R3 and Class R4
up to 0.25%
Class R5
up to 0.10%
Class R6
None
The table below sets forth the fees paid or accrued to JPMDS (the amounts voluntarily waived are in parentheses) for the fiscal years indicated (amounts in thousands): 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
Fund
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
Class I Shares
$14
$(1)
$12
$—*
$5
$—
Class R2 Shares
—*
—*
—*
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
20
—*
19
—*
12
—
Class R4 Shares
6
—*
35
—*
36
(1)
Class R5 Shares
23
(1)
17
(1)
14
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
Class I Shares
29
—*
21
—*
7
—
Class R2 Shares
—*
—*
—*
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
97
—*
78
—*
28
—
Class R4 Shares
12
—*
41
—*
53
(1)
Class R5 Shares
37
(1)
24
(1)
17
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
Class I Shares
51
(1)
50
(1)
13
—
Class R2 Shares
3
—*
3
—*
3
—
Class R3 Shares
105
(2)
104
(2)
48
(1)
Class R4 Shares
26
—*
81
—*
93
(1)
Class R5 Shares
73
—*
56
—*
37
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
Class I Shares
51
—*
55
—*
19
(1)
Class R2 Shares
1
—*
—*
—*
1
—
Class R3 Shares
149
(1)
143
(1)
82
—
Class R4 Shares
36
—*
107
—*
121
(1)
Class R5 Shares
89
(1)
63
(1)
41
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
Class I Shares
32
(1)
27
—*
7
(1)
Class R2 Shares
1
—*
1
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
87
—*
95
(1)
59
—
Class R4 Shares
30
—*
103
—*
122
—
Class R5 Shares
64
(1)
48
—*
34
(1)
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
Class I Shares
17
(1)
18
(1)
8
(1)
Class R2 Shares
—*
—*
—*
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
87
—*
92
—*
60
—
Class R4 Shares
27
—*
87
—*
97
—
Class R5 Shares
50
(1)
40
(1)
25
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
Class I Shares
21
—*
25
—*
16
—
Class R2 Shares
—*
—*
—*
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
48
—
56
—*
36
—
Class R4 Shares
20
—*
63
—*
76
(1)
Class R5 Shares
42
(1)
31
(1)
20
—
Part I - 22
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
Fund
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
Paid
Waived
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
Class I Shares
$9
$(1)
$9
$—*
$3
$—
Class R2 Shares
—*
—*
—*
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
33
—*
33
(1)
21
—
Class R4 Shares
21
—*
68
—*
73
(1)
Class R5 Shares
35
(1)
28
—*
17
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
Class I Shares
6
—*
7
—*
4
—
Class R2 Shares
—*
—*
—*
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
13
—*
11
(1)
5
—
Class R4 Shares
12
—*
34
—*
41
(1)
Class R5 Shares
25
(1)
21
—*
13
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
Class I Shares
1
—*
4
—*
23
(1)
Class R2 Shares
—*
—*
—*
—*
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
4
(1)
6
—*
4
—
Class R4 Shares
1
—*
3
—*
9
—
Class R5 Shares
5
—*
5
(1)
4
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
Class I Shares
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
—*
—*
Class R2 Shares
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
—*
—
Class R3 Shares
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
—*
—
Class R4 Shares
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
—*
—
Class R5 Shares
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
—*
—
*
Amount rounds to less than $500.
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
For a more complete discussion, see the “Shareholder Servicing” section in Part II of this SAI.
BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES
Brokerage Commissions
The Funds paid the following brokerage commissions for the indicated fiscal years. 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
Fund
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
$108,793
$78,461
$63,908
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
228,075
166,201
92,806
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
326,449
248,801
177,653
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
342,700
292,573
185,043
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
273,222
219,182
189,364
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
253,926
198,278
167,342
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
191,386
154,138
149,527
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
Part I - 23
 
Fiscal Year Ended
Fund
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2022
June 30, 2023
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
$143,657
$126,300
$124,860
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
78,143
69,525
66,536
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
Total Brokerage Commissions
22,515
24,403
34,045
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
—
—
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
Total Brokerage Commissions
N/A
N/A
981
Brokerage Commissions to Affiliated Broker/Dealers
N/A
N/A
—
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
Broker Research
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, the Adviser allocated brokerage commissions to brokers who provided broker research, including third party research, for the Funds as follows: 
Fund
Amount
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
$2,041
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
5,348
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
6,294
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
8,203
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
10,374
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
10,543
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
9,895
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
9,187
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
4,000
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
2,539
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund*
0
* For the period from November 1, 2022 (when the Fund commenced operations) through the end of the fiscal year.
Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers
As of June 30, 2023, certain Funds owned securities of their regular broker-dealers (or parents thereof) as shown below: 
Fund
Name of Broker-Dealer
Value of Securities
Owned (000's)
SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
Bank of America Corp.
$1,181
 
Barclays plc
388
 
Citigroup, Inc.
459
 
Deutsche Bank AG
400
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
1,062
 
Morgan Stanley
618
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
653
SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
Bank of America Corp.
839
 
Barclays plc
221
 
Citigroup, Inc.
274
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
170
 
HSBC Holdings plc
1,492
 
Morgan Stanley
489
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
214
Part I - 24
Fund
Name of Broker-Dealer
Value of Securities
Owned (000's)
SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
Bank of America Corp.
$3,752
 
Barclays plc
719
 
BNP Paribas SA
303
 
Citigroup, Inc.
1,251
 
Deutsche Bank AG
805
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
3,065
 
Morgan Stanley
1,500
 
Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)
189
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
2,028
SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
Bank of America Corp.
3,871
 
Barclays plc
407
 
BNP Paribas SA
288
 
Citigroup, Inc.
1,442
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
3,090
 
Morgan Stanley
1,489
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
2,146
SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
Bank of America Corp.
1,002
 
Bank of Montreal
70
 
Citigroup, Inc.
317
 
Deutsche Bank AG
397
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
754
 
Morgan Stanley
445
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
448
For a more complete discussion, see the “Portfolio Transactions” section in Part II of this SAI.
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Other Cash Compensation Payments
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, JPMIM paid approximately $341,831,559 for all the J.P. Morgan Funds pursuant to written agreements with Financial Intermediaries (including both FINRA members and non-members) including written agreements for sub-transfer agency and/or omnibus accounting services (collectively, “Omnibus Sub-Accounting”) and networking.
For a more complete discussion, see the “Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries” section in Part II of this SAI.
Finders’ Fee Commissions
Because the Funds do not offer Class A Shares, no finders’ fees are paid with respect to the Funds.
Finders’ Fees Paid By Distributor
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, JPMDS paid approximately $30,499,248 in finder’s fees for all J.P. Morgan Funds.
For a more complete discussion, see the “Additional Cash Compensation to Financial Intermediaries” section in Part II of this SAI.
TAX MATTERS
Capital Loss Carryforwards
As of June 30, 2023, the following Funds had net capital loss carryforwards (amounts in thousands): 
 
Capital Loss Carryforward
Character
Fund
Short-Term
Long-Term
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Income Fund
$5,605
$13,909
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2020 Fund
11,502
22,782
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2025 Fund
19,412
42,951
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2030 Fund
19,518
38,515
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2035 Fund
16,306
12,837
Part I - 25
 
Capital Loss Carryforward
Character
Fund
Short-Term
Long-Term
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2040 Fund
$6,967
$6,664
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2045 Fund
5,631
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2050 Fund
2,883
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2055 Fund
2,008
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2060 Fund
425
—
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend 2065 Fund1
—
2
1
The Fund commenced operations on 11/1/22.
For more information on tax matters, see the “Distributions and Tax Matters” section in Part II of this SAI.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE
A list of the entities that receive the Funds’ portfolio holdings information, the frequency with which it is provided to them and the length of the lag between the date of the information and the date it is disclosed is provided below: 
JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds
Bloomberg LP
Monthly
30 days after month end
MorningStar Inc.
Monthly
30 days after month end
Lipper, Inc.
Monthly
30 days after month end
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Monthly
30 days after month end
For a more complete discussion, see the “Portfolio Holdings Disclosure” section in Part II of the SAI.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
Trustees and Officers
As of December 31, 2022, the officers and Trustees, as a group, owned less than 1% of the shares of any class of each Fund.
Principal Holders
As of September 30, 2023, the persons owned of record, or were known by the Trust to own beneficially, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds included in this SAI are shown in Attachment I-A.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements of the Funds are incorporated by reference into this SAI. The Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm to the Funds, as indicated in its reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on the reports of said firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The Financial Statements for the six-month period ended December 31, 2022 are unaudited. These Financial Statements are available without charge upon request by calling J.P. Morgan Funds Services at 1-800-480-4111.
Part I - 26
Attachment I-A
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Persons who beneficially own 25% or more of the outstanding Shares of a Fund are presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) such Funds. As a result, those persons may have the ability to control the outcome on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of such Funds. The list below includes record owners of over 5% of the share classes specified below based on the Funds' books and records. Such shareholders may hold their Shares on behalf of other beneficial owners and may not be beneficial owners of the share classes identified. 
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND INCOME FUND
CLASS I SHARES
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
82.95%
 
 
 
 
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
14.29%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
100.00%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
72.15%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
20.21%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
7.65%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
98.90%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
GOVERNMEN
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
67.87%
Part I - 27
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE 403(B) PL
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
13.73%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
6.81%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
5.24%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
22.69%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
21.81%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM 403B
8525 E ORCHARD RD
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
10.10%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
7.77%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2020 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
66.87%
 
 
 
 
UMB BANK NA
CUST IRA FBO
MARTHA J ARMENTA
5910 HAUSER DR
SHAWNEE KS 66216-1747
19.66%
 
 
 
 
MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
MEYER PRODUCTS/SWENSON SPREADER
401
1251 WATERFRONT PLACE, SUITE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
9.48%
Part I - 28
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
100.00%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FIRE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
24.54%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
23.71%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH GE (DROP)
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
19.75%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
11.48%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
11.46%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH POLICE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
6.62%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
97.25%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
38.89%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
29.12%
Part I - 29
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
17.90%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
8.16%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO CUST
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
38.40%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
27.52%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
7.46%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2025 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
38.95%
 
 
 
 
UMB BANK NA
CUST IRA FBO
CONSTANTINE SARAVANOS
965 CROWN CT
HIGHLAND VILLAGE TX 75077-6424
15.03%
 
 
 
 
UMB BANK NA
CUST IRA FBO
ELLI MAKRIDES SARAVANOS
965 CROWN CT
HIGHLAND VILLAGE TX 75077-6424
11.24%
 
 
 
 
JESSICA E PERCHA
64 FULLER AVE
CHATHAM NJ 07928-2349
9.13%
 
 
 
 
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENE OF ITS CUST
1 NEW YORK PLZ FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1965
6.81%
Part I - 30
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
6.34%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
VICTOR V DIZON DO INC 401(K) PL
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
93.19%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
CLASSIC PLUMBING INC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
6.43%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
40.35%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
18.35%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH POLICE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
17.38%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FIRE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
8.87%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH GE (DROP)
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
7.58%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
95.26%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
35.88%
Part I - 31
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
24.36%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
13.76%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
11.45%
 
 
 
 
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
7.62%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
6.88%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
32.99%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
25.56%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
7.17%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2030 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
69.23%
 
 
 
 
MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
MEYER PRODUCTS/SWENSON SPREADER
401
1251 WATERFRONT PLACE, SUITE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
7.46%
Part I - 32
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATIONS LLC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
67.67%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
CLASSIC PLUMBING INC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
32.06%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
30.85%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
29.65%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH POLICE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
14.55%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FIRE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
14.54%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
93.48%
 
 
 
 
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR
BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
ATTN: MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1901
5.14%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
24.20%
Part I - 33
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
23.51%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
15.75%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
15.49%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
11.44%
 
 
 
 
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
5.80%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
33.22%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
26.90%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
6.35%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
5.05%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2035 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
64.04%
Part I - 34
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
UMB BANK NA
CUST IRA FBO
MARY E MARTINEZ
1806 EASTLAND AVE
NASHVILLE TN 37206-2542
12.73%
 
 
 
 
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
7.21%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
THE GREENBENCH COMPANIES 401(K) PLA
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
90.38%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATIONS LLC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
6.66%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
46.27%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
19.42%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
14.90%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FIRE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
10.23%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH POLICE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
6.41%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
96.91%
Part I - 35
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
31.48%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
21.64%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
14.37%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
12.75%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
12.60%
 
 
 
 
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
6.56%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
36.45%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
25.35%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
6.07%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
5.70%
Part I - 36
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2040 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
53.63%
 
 
 
 
MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
MEYER PRODUCTS/SWENSON SPREADER
401
1251 WATERFRONT PLACE, SUITE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
13.10%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FL
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
9.73%
 
 
 
 
UMB BANK NA
CUST SEP IRA FBO
TRACI M GARONTAKOS
11554 RIDGE VALLEY CT
ZIONSVILLE IN 46077-7833
8.39%
 
 
 
 
PHILIP J ROCK
MEGAN M ROCK JTWROS
601 VINEYARD GREEN CT
FRANKLIN TN 37069-4033
7.22%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
THE GREENBENCH COMPANIES 401(K) 23
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY
PO BOX 10577
FARGO ND 58106-0577
74.73%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATIONS LLC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
20.26%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
51.52%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
25.15%
Part I - 37
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
9.95%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
95.01%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
21.68%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
21.57%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
15.67%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
15.15%
 
 
 
 
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
14.41%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
9.25%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
36.47%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
25.52%
Part I - 38
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
6.13%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2045 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
41.07%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
26.08%
 
 
 
 
NICOLE R ST PIERRE
118 BUCKINGHAM RD
MONTCLAIR NJ 07043-2307
19.99%
 
 
 
 
UMB BANK NA
CUST IRA FBO
MARY E MARTINEZ
1806 EASTLAND AVE
NASHVILLE TN 37206-2542
6.62%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
THE GREENBENCH COMPANIES 401(K) PLA
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
96.99%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
42.91%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
31.52%
 
 
 
 
C/O ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FIRE
777 N CAPITOL ST NE
WASHINGTON DC 20002-4239
10.59%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
8.70%
Part I - 39
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
97.15%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
25.45%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
23.82%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
12.98%
 
 
 
 
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
11.79%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
11.76%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
11.03%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
36.10%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
25.93%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
7.23%
Part I - 40
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2050 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
42.48%
 
 
 
 
MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
MEYER PRODUCTS/SWENSON SPREADER
401
1251 WATERFRONT PLACE, SUITE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
39.94%
 
 
 
 
MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO
STRATAGON INC 401(K) PROFIT SHARING
1251 WATERFRONT PLACE, SUITE 525
PITTSBURGH PA 15222-4228
6.56%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
THE GREENBENCH COMPANIES 401(K) PLA
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
68.67%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
SHIPP FAMILY DENTISTRY
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
15.63%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
SEVEN HILLS TECHNOLOGY 401(K) PLAN
717 17TH STREET
SUITE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
7.63%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
HEMPHILL AGENCY 401(K) AND PROFIT S
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
6.15%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 2ND FL
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
84.31%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
14.90%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
94.72%
Part I - 41
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
22.40%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
19.11%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
16.31%
 
 
 
 
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
15.98%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
13.34%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
12.67%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
30.60%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
28.79%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
10.72%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2055 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD ROAD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111-5002
38.54%
Part I - 42
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
36.14%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
THE GREENBENCH COMPANIES 401(K) PLA
PO BOX 10758
FARGO ND 58106-0758
76.98%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
CLASSIC PLUMBING INC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
7.28%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
SEVEN HILLS TECHNOLOGY 401(K) PLAN
717 17TH STREET
SUITE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
7.10%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
66.23%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
17.71%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
8.46%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
7.59%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
99.44%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
21.48%
Part I - 43
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
20.57%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
17.39%
 
 
 
 
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
17.32%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
11.99%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
10.83%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
32.99%
 
 
 
 
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
23.57%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
7.54%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM 403B
AMBAS
8525 E ORCHARD RD
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
7.25%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2060 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC*
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
97.87%
Part I - 44
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
SEVEN HILLS TECHNOLOGY 401(K) PLAN
717 17TH STREET
SUITE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
80.82%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATIONS LLC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
13.36%
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
FIDELITY INVESTMENT INST OPERATIONS
CUST FBO
SHUMATE MECHANICAL LLC 401K PLAN
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
60.55%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 2ND FL
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
24.85%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
6.71%
 
 
 
 
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO
THE SHOP INC
717 17TH ST STE 1300
DENVER CO 80202-3304
5.63%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 700
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 401(K)
844 SEWARD ST
LOS ANGELES CA 90038-3602
87.80%
 
 
 
 
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCOUNT FOR
BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
ATTN: MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1901
11.28%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
400 ROBERT ST N STE A
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2099
28.69%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO RTC TTEE
FBO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD # 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
24.93%
Part I - 45
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
16.23%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
CRYSTAL STAIRS, INC.
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
12.09%
 
 
 
 
C/O MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
100 NW 1ST AVE
DELRAY BEACH FL 33444-2612
8.03%
 
 
 
 
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INST
OPERATIONS CO INC AS AGENT FOR FBO
WESTDALE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LTD
100 MAGELLAN WAY #KWIC
COVINGTON KY 41015-1999
7.70%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
35.10%
 
 
 
 
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
15.12%
 
 
 
 
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF
ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION
4800 DEER LAKE DR E FL 3
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
12.37%
 
 
 
 
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM 403B
AMBAS
8525 E ORCHARD RD
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
8.55%
JPMORGAN SMARTRETIREMENT BLEND 2065 FUND
CLASS I SHARES
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
100.00%
 
 
 
CLASS R2 SHARES
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
100.00%
Part I - 46
Name of Fund
Name and Address of Shareholder
Percentage
Held
 
 
 
CLASS R3 SHARES
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
100.00%
 
 
 
CLASS R4 SHARES
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
100.00%
 
 
 
CLASS R5 SHARES
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
91.36%
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FIIOC AS AGENT FOR
QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLANS (401K) FINOPS-IC FUNDS
100 MAGELLAN WAY # KW1C
COVINGTON KY 41015-1987
8.64%
 
 
 
CLASS R6 SHARES
EMPOWER TRUST FBO
HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM 403B
AMBAS
8525 E ORCHARD RD
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
46.81%
 
 
 
 
VANGUARD FIDUCIARY TRUST CO
JP MORGAN FUNDS
ATTN INVESTMENT SERVICES
PO BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE PA 19482-2600
18.30%
 
 
 
 
DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST
FBO PLIC VARIOUS RETIREMENT PLANS
OMNIBUS
ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK
711 HIGH ST
DES MOINES IA 50392-0001
10.15%
 
 
 
 
JP MORGAN INVESTMENT MGMT*
ATTN LOREN STRIFE OH1-0185
1111 POLARIS PKWY
COLUMBUS OH 43240-2031
10.15%
*
The shareholder of record is a subsidiary or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (a "JPMorgan Affiliate"). Typically, the shares are held on behalf of underlying accounts for which the JPMorgan Affiliate may have voting or investment power. To the extent that JPMorgan Affiliates own 25% or more of a class of shares of the Fund, JPMorgan Chase & Co. may be deemed to be a "controlling person" of such shares under the 1940 Act.
Part I - 47


J.P. Morgan Funds
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PART II
Part II of this SAI describes policies and practices that apply to each of the J.P. Morgan Funds discussed in Part I of this SAI, which precedes this Part II. This Part II is not a standalone document and must be read in conjunction with Part I. References in this Part II to a “Fund” mean each J.P. Morgan Fund, unless noted otherwise. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Part II have the meanings given to them in Part I of this SAI.
As of November 1, 2023
Part II
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Part II - iv
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
As noted in the applicable Prospectuses for each of the Funds, in addition to the investment strategies and the investment risks described in the Prospectuses, each Fund may employ other investment strategies and may be subject to other risks, which are described below. Each Fund may engage in the practices described below to the extent consistent with its investment objectives, strategies, policies and restrictions. However, no Fund is required to engage in any particular transaction or purchase any particular type of securities or investment even if to do so might benefit the Fund. Because the following is a combined description of investment strategies of all of the Funds, (i) certain matters described herein may not apply to particular Funds and (ii) certain references to the Adviser may also include a Sub-Adviser, as the context requires.
An investment in a Fund or any other fund may not provide a complete investment program. The suitability of an investment in a Fund should be considered based on the investment objective, strategies and risks described in the Fund’s prospectus and this SAI, considered in light of all of the other investments in your portfolio, as well as your risk tolerance, financial goals and time horizons. You may want to consult with a financial advisor to determine if a Fund is suitable for you. The value of your investment in a Fund will fluctuate in response to movements in the market. Fund performance also will depend on the effectiveness of the Adviser’s research and the management team’s investment decisions. Tax considerations may limit a Fund’s ability to pursue an investment opportunity or influence portfolio management decisions for the Fund. Future legislative and regulatory determinations may adversely affect the overall market for an instrument in which a Fund may invest and the Fund itself. There is no assurance that any Fund investment can be successfully employed. An investment in a Fund involves risk of a total loss.
For a list of investment strategies and policies employed by each Fund, see “INVESTMENT PRACTICES” in Part I of this SAI.
Asset-Backed Securities
Asset-backed securities consist of securities secured by company receivables, home equity loans, truck and auto loans, leases, or credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities also include other securities backed by other types of receivables or other assets, including collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) and other similarly structured securities. CDOs include collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and collateral bond obligations (“CBOs”). Such assets are generally securitized through the use of trusts or special purpose corporations. Asset-backed securities are backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations often of a number of different parties. Certain of these securities may be illiquid.
Asset-backed securities are generally subject to the risks of the underlying assets. In addition, asset-backed securities, in general, are subject to certain additional risks including depreciation, damage or loss of the collateral backing the security, failure of the collateral to generate the anticipated cash flow or in certain cases more rapid prepayment because of events affecting the collateral, such as accelerated prepayment of loans backing these securities or destruction of equipment subject to equipment trust certificates. In addition, the underlying assets (for example, underlying home equity loans) may be refinanced or paid off prior to maturity during periods of increasing or declining interest rates. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Changes in prepayment rates can result in greater price and yield volatility. If asset-backed securities are pre-paid, a Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds from the securities at a lower rate. Potential market gains on a security subject to prepayment risk may be more limited than potential market gains on a comparable security that is not subject to prepayment risk. Under certain prepayment rate scenarios, a Fund may fail to recover additional amounts paid (i.e., premiums) for securities with higher interest rates, resulting in an unexpected loss.
A CBO is a trust or other special purpose entity (“SPE”) which is typically backed by a diversified pool of fixed income securities (which may include high risk, below investment grade securities). A CLO is a trust or other SPE that is typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and non-U.S. senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. While many CDOs may receive credit enhancement in the form of a senior-subordinate structure, over-collateralization or bond insurance, such enhancement may not always be present and may fail to protect a Fund against the risk of loss on default of the collateral. Certain CDOs may use derivatives contracts to create “synthetic”
Part II - 5
exposure to assets rather than holding such assets directly, which entails the risks of derivative instruments described elsewhere in this SAI. CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses, which are in addition to those of a Fund.
The cash flows for CDOs from the SPE usually are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche, which bears the first loss from defaults from the bonds or loans in the SPE and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default (though such protection is not complete). Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CDO typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying securities, and may be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, downgrades of the underlying collateral by rating agencies, forced liquidation of the collateral pool due to a failure of coverage tests, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as investor aversion to CDO securities as a class. Interest on certain tranches of a CDO may be paid in kind or deferred and capitalized (paid in the form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which involves continued exposure to default risk with respect to such payments.
The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type of the collateral or securities and the class of the CDO in which a Fund invests. CDO tranches often have credit ratings and are typically issued in classes with various priorities. Normally, CDOs are privately offered and sold (that is, they are not registered under the securities laws), and may be subject to additional liquidity risks. However, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs, allowing a CDO to be sold pursuant to Rule 144A. In addition to the risks typically associated with fixed income securities and asset-backed securities generally discussed elsewhere in this SAI, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the risk that the collateral may default or decline in value or be downgraded, if rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”); (iii) a Fund may invest in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the structure and complexity of the transaction and the legal documents could lead to disputes among investors regarding the characterization of proceeds; (v) the investment return achieved by the Fund could be significantly different than those predicted by financial models; (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market for CDOs; (vii) risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due to technical defaults such as coverage test failures; (viii) values may be volatile; (ix) disputes with the issuer may produce unexpected results; and (x) the CDO’s manager may perform poorly.
Certain Funds may purchase ABCP that is issued by conduits sponsored by banks, mortgage companies, investment banking firms, finance companies, hedge funds, private equity firms and special purpose finance entities. ABCP typically refers to a debt security with an original term to maturity of up to 270 days, the payment of which is supported from underlying assets, or one or more liquidity or credit support providers, or both. Assets backing ABCP, which may be included in revolving pools of assets with large numbers of obligors, include credit card, car loan and other consumer receivables and home or commercial mortgages, including subprime mortgages. To protect investors from the risk of non-payment, ABCP programs are generally structured with various protections, such as credit enhancement, liquidity support, and commercial paper stop issuance and wind-down triggers. There can be no guarantee that these protections will be sufficient to prevent losses to investors in ABCP. The repayment of ABCP issued by a conduit depends primarily on the conduit’s ability to issue new ABCP, access to the liquidity or credit support and, to a lesser extent, cash collections received from the conduit’s underlying asset portfolio. There could be losses to a Fund’s investing in ABCP in the event that: (i) the Fund is unable to access the liquidity or credit support for the ABCP; (ii) the conduit is unable to issue new ABCP; (iii) there is credit or market deterioration in the conduit’s underlying portfolio; and (iv) there are mismatches in the timing of the cash flows of the underlying asset interests and the repayment obligations of maturing ABCP.
Some ABCP programs historically have provided for an extension of the maturity date of the ABCP if, on the related maturity date, the conduit is unable to access sufficient liquidity by issuing additional ABCP. This may delay the sale of the underlying collateral and a Fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral deteriorates during the extension period. Alternatively, if collateral for ABCP deteriorates in value, the collateral may be required to be sold at inopportune times or at prices insufficient to repay the principal and interest on the ABCP. ABCP programs may provide for the issuance of subordinated notes as an additional form of credit enhancement. The subordinated notes are typically of a lower credit quality and have a higher risk of default. A Fund purchasing these subordinated notes will therefore have a higher likelihood of loss than investors in the senior notes.
Part II - 6
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with any Fund investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for the definition of “investment company” provided by Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
Auction Rate Securities
Auction rate securities consist of auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities sold through an auction process issued by closed-end investment companies, municipalities and governmental agencies. For more information on risks associated with municipal securities, see “Municipal Securities” below.
Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Failed auctions may adversely impact the liquidity of auction rate securities investments. There is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for a Fund’s investments in auction rate securities at a time when the Fund wishes to dispose of such securities.
Dividends on auction rate preferred securities issued by a closed-end fund may be designated as exempt from federal income tax to the extent they are attributable to tax-exempt interest income earned by the closed-end fund on the securities in its portfolio and distributed to holders of the preferred securities. However, such designation may be made only if the closed-end fund treats preferred securities as equity securities for federal income tax purposes and the closed-end fund complies with certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
A Fund’s investment in auction rate preferred securities of closed-end funds is subject to limitations on investments in other U.S. registered investment companies, which limitations are prescribed under the 1940 Act. A Fund is generally prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the voting securities of any other such investment company, and investing more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in securities of any one such investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all such investment companies. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees paid by such closed-end funds in addition to the advisory fee payable directly by the Fund.
Bank Obligations
Bank obligations include bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, bank notes and time deposits.
Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange typically drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank or a savings and loan association for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Certificates of deposit may also include those issued by foreign banks outside the United States (“U.S.”). Such certificates of deposit include Eurodollar and Yankee certificates of deposit. Eurodollar certificates of deposit are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by branches of foreign and domestic banks located outside the U.S. Yankee certificates of deposit are certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank denominated in U.S. dollars and held in the U.S. Certain Funds may also invest in obligations (including bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit) denominated in foreign currencies (see “Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies)”) herein. With regard to certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks and savings and loan associations, to be eligible for purchase by a Fund, a certificate of deposit must be issued by (i) a domestic or foreign branch of a U.S. commercial bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve System or the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or (ii) a domestic savings and loan association, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Time deposits are interest-bearing non-negotiable deposits at a bank or a savings and loan association that have a specific maturity date. A time deposit earns a specific rate of interest over a definite period of time. Time deposits cannot be traded on the secondary market.
Part II - 7
The Funds will not invest in obligations for which the Adviser, or any of its affiliated persons, is the ultimate obligor or accepting bank, provided, however, that the Funds maintain demand deposits at their affiliated custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase Bank”).
Subject to a Fund’s limitations on concentration in a particular industry, there is no limitation on the amount of a Fund’s assets which may be invested in obligations of banks which meet the conditions set forth herein.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper is a short-term obligation, generally with a maturity from 1 to 270 days, issued by a bank or bank holding company, corporation or finance company. Although commercial paper is generally unsecured, the Funds may also purchase secured commercial paper. In the event of a default of an issuer of secured commercial paper, a Fund may hold the securities and other investments that were pledged as collateral even if it does not invest in such securities or investments. In such a case, the Fund would take steps to dispose of such securities or investments in a commercially reasonable manner. Commercial paper includes master demand obligations. See “Variable and Floating Rate Instruments” below.
Certain Funds may also invest in Canadian commercial paper, which is commercial paper issued by a Canadian corporation or a Canadian counterpart of a U.S. corporation, and in Europaper, which is U.S. dollar denominated commercial paper of a foreign issuer. See “Risk Factors of Foreign Investments” below. Certain Funds may purchase commercial paper that is issued by conduits, including ABCP. Additional information about ABCP is included under “Asset-Backed Securities.”
Convertible Securities
Certain Funds may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities include any debt securities or preferred stock which may be converted into common stock or which carry the right to purchase common stock. Generally, convertible securities entitle the holder to exchange the securities for a specified number of shares of common stock, usually of the same company, at specified prices within a certain period of time.
The terms of any convertible security determine its ranking in a company’s capital structure. In the case of subordinated convertible debentures, the holders’ claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of other creditors, and are senior to the claims of preferred and common shareholders. In the case of convertible preferred stock, the holders’ claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of all creditors and are senior to the claims of common shareholders.
Convertible securities have characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Due to the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to move together with the market value of the underlying common stock. As a result, selection of convertible securities, to a great extent, is based on the potential for capital appreciation that may exist in the underlying stock. The value of convertible securities is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer, and any call provisions. In some cases, the issuer may cause a convertible security to convert to common stock. In other situations, it may be advantageous for a Fund to cause the conversion of convertible securities to common stock. If a convertible security converts to common stock, a Fund may hold such common stock in its portfolio even if it does not ordinarily invest in common stock.
Certain Funds invest in contingent securities structured as contingent convertible securities also known as CoCos. Contingent convertible securities are typically issued by non-U.S. banks and are designed to behave like bonds in times of economic health yet absorb losses when a pre-determined trigger event occurs. A contingent convertible security is a hybrid debt security either convertible into equity at a predetermined share price or written down in value based on the specific terms of the individual security if a pre-specified trigger event occurs (the “Trigger Event”). Unlike traditional convertible securities, the conversion of a contingent convertible security from debt to equity is “contingent” and will occur only in the case of a Trigger Event. Trigger Events vary by instrument and are defined by the documents governing the contingent convertible security. Such Trigger Events may include a decline in the issuer’s capital below a specified threshold level, increase in the issuer’s risk weighted assets, the share price of the issuer falling to a particular level for a certain period of time and certain regulatory events.
Contingent convertible securities are subject to the credit, interest rate, high yield security, foreign security and markets risks associated with bonds and equities, and to the risks specific to convertible securities in general. Contingent convertible securities are also subject to additional risks specific to their
Part II - 8
structure including conversion risk. Because Trigger Events are not consistently defined among contingent convertible securities, this risk is greater for contingent convertible securities that are issued by banks with capital ratios close to the level specified in the Trigger Event.
In addition, coupon payments on contingent convertible securities are discretionary and may be cancelled by the issuer at any point, for any reason, and for any length of time. The discretionary cancellation of payments is not an event of default and there are no remedies to require re-instatement of coupon payments or payment of any past missed payments. Coupon payments may also be subject to approval by the issuer’s regulator and may be suspended in the event there are insufficient distributable reserves. Due to uncertainty surrounding coupon payments, contingent convertible securities may be volatile and their price may decline rapidly in the event that coupon payments are suspended.
Contingent convertible securities typically are structurally subordinated to traditional convertible bonds in the issuer’s capital structure. In certain scenarios, investors in contingent convertible securities may suffer a loss of capital ahead of equity holders or when equity holders do not. Contingent convertible securities are also subject to extension risk. Contingent convertible securities are perpetual instruments and may only be callable at pre-determined dates upon approval of the applicable regulatory authority. There is no guarantee that a Fund will receive return of principal on contingent convertible securities.
Convertible contingent securities are a newer form of instrument and the regulatory environment for these instruments continues to evolve. Because the market for contingent convertible securities is evolving, it is uncertain how the larger market for contingent convertible securities would react to a Trigger Event or coupon suspension applicable to a single issuer.
The value of contingent convertible securities is unpredictable and will be influenced by many factors such as: (i) the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer’s applicable capital ratios; (ii) supply and demand for contingent convertible securities; (iii) general market conditions and available liquidity; and (iv) economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general.
Custodial Receipts
Certain Funds may acquire securities in the form of custodial receipts that evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain U.S. Treasury notes or bonds in connection with programs sponsored by banks and brokerage firms. These are not considered U.S. government securities and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. These notes and bonds are held in custody by a bank on behalf of the owners of the receipts.
Debt Instruments
Below Investment Grade Securities. Securities that were rated investment grade at the time of purchase may subsequently be rated below investment grade (BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) and Bal or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)). Certain Funds that do not invest in below investment grade securities as a main investment strategy may nonetheless continue to hold such securities if the Adviser believes it is advantageous for the Fund to do so. The high degree of risk involved in these investments can result in substantial or total losses. These securities are subject to greater risk of loss, greater sensitivity to interest rate and economic changes, valuation difficulties, and a potential lack of a secondary or public market for securities. The market price of these securities also can change suddenly and unexpectedly.
Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities may include bonds and other debt securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, including obligations of industrial, utility, banking and other corporate issuers. All debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.
High Yield/High Risk Securities/Junk Bonds. Certain Funds may invest in high yield securities, to varying degrees. High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Bal or lower by Moody’s) or unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Other terms used to describe such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade bonds,” “below investment grade bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These securities are considered to be high-risk investments.
Part II - 9
High yield securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, a Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments. A Fund may also incur additional expenses in seeking recovery from the issuer.
The income and market value of lower rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. The lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on the judgment of the Adviser than is the case with higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, a Fund that invests in lower rated securities may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on a Fund’s investments in lower rated securities.
Inflation-Linked Debt Securities. Inflation-linked securities include fixed and floating rate debt securities of varying maturities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, such as Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (“TIPS”), as well as securities issued by other entities such as corporations, municipalities, foreign governments and foreign issuers, including foreign issuers from emerging markets. See also “Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies).” Typically, such securities are structured as fixed income investments whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. The U.S. Treasury, among some other issuers, issues inflation-linked securities that accrue inflation into the principal value of the security and other issuers may pay out the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) accruals as part of a semi-annual coupon. Other types of inflation-linked securities exist which use an inflation index other than the CPI.
Inflation-linked securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, such as TIPS, have maturities of approximately five, ten or thirty years, although it is possible that securities with other maturities will be issued in the future. Typically, TIPS pay interest on a semi-annual basis equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. For example, if a Fund purchased an inflation-indexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and the rate of inflation over the first six months was 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15 ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year resulted in the whole year’s inflation of 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be $1,030 and the second semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 times 1.5%).
If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of TIPS, even during a period of deflation, although the inflation-adjusted principal received could be less than the inflation-adjusted principal that had accrued to the bond at the time of purchase. However, the current market value of the bonds is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Other inflation-related bonds may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
Part II - 10
The value of inflation-linked securities is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if the rate of inflation rises at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-linked securities.
While inflation-linked securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.
The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-linked securities is tied to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is not seasonally adjusted and which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. Inflation-linked securities issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index calculated by that government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or a foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the U.S.
Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked security will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments. Certain obligations purchased by the Funds may carry variable or floating rates of interest, may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature and may include variable amount master demand notes. Variable and floating rate instruments are issued by a wide variety of issuers and may be issued for a wide variety of purposes, including as a method of reconstructing cash flows.
Subject to their investment objective policies and restrictions, certain Funds may acquire variable and floating rate instruments. A variable rate instrument has terms that provide for the adjustment of its interest rate on set dates and which, upon such adjustment, can reasonably be expected to have a market value that approximates its par value. Certain Funds may purchase extendable commercial notes. Extendable commercial notes are variable rate notes which typically mature within a short period of time (e.g., 1 month) but which may be extended by the issuer for a maximum maturity of thirteen months.
A floating rate instrument has terms that provide for the adjustment of its interest rate whenever a specified interest rate changes and which, at any time, can reasonably be expected to have a market value that approximates its par value. Floating rate instruments are frequently not rated by credit rating agencies; however, unrated variable and floating rate instruments purchased by a Fund will be determined by the Fund’s Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase to rated instruments eligible for purchase under the Fund’s investment policies. In making such determinations, a Fund’s Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments (such issuers include financial, merchandising, bank holding and other companies) and will continuously monitor their financial condition. There may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable or floating rate instrument purchased by a Fund. The absence of such an active secondary market could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of the variable or floating rate instrument involved in the event the issuer of the instrument defaulted on its payment obligations, and the Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the default. Variable or floating rate instruments may be secured by bank letters of credit or other assets. A Fund may purchase a variable or floating rate instrument to facilitate portfolio liquidity or to permit investment of the Fund’s assets at a favorable rate of return.
As a result of the floating and variable rate nature of these investments, the Funds’ yields may decline, and they may forego the opportunity for capital appreciation during periods when interest rates decline; however, during periods when interest rates increase, the Funds’ yields may increase, and they may have reduced risk of capital depreciation.
Past periods of high inflation, together with the fiscal measures adopted to attempt to deal with it, have seen wide fluctuations in interest rates, particularly “prime rates” charged by banks. While the value of the underlying floating or variable rate securities may change with changes in interest rates generally, the nature of the underlying floating or variable rate should minimize changes in value of the instruments. Accordingly, as interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation and the risk of potential capital depreciation is less than would be the case with a portfolio of fixed rate securities. A Fund’s portfolio may contain floating or variable rate securities on which stated minimum or maximum rates, or maximum rates set by state law limit the degree to which interest on such floating or variable rate
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securities may fluctuate; to the extent it does, increases or decreases in value may be somewhat greater than would be the case without such limits. Because the adjustment of interest rates on the floating or variable rate securities is made in relation to movements of the applicable banks’ “prime rates” or other short-term rate securities adjustment indices, the floating or variable rate securities are not comparable to long-term fixed rate securities. Accordingly, interest rates on the floating or variable rate securities may be higher or lower than current market rates for fixed rate obligations of comparable quality with similar maturities.
Variable Amount Master Notes. Variable amount master notes are notes, which may possess a demand feature, that permit the indebtedness to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate according to the terms of the instrument. Variable amount master notes may not be secured by collateral. To the extent that variable amount master notes are secured by collateral, they are subject to the risks described under the section “Loans—Collateral and Subordination Risk.”
Because master notes are direct lending arrangements between a Fund and the issuer of the notes, they are not typically traded. Although there is no secondary market in the notes, a Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest. If the Fund is not repaid such principal and accrued interest, the Fund may not be able to dispose of the notes due to the lack of a secondary market.
While master notes are not typically rated by credit rating agencies, issuers of variable amount master notes (which are typically manufacturing, retail, financial, brokerage, investment banking and other business concerns) must satisfy the same criteria as those set forth with respect to commercial paper, if any, in Part I of this SAI under the heading “Credit Quality.” A Fund’s Adviser will consider the credit risk of the issuers of such notes, including its earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of such issuers and will continuously monitor their financial status and ability to meet payment on demand. In determining average weighted portfolio maturity, a variable amount master note will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period of time remaining until the principal amount can be recovered from the issuer.
Variable Rate Instruments and Money Market Funds. Variable or floating rate instruments with stated maturities of more than 397 days may, under the SEC’s rule applicable to money market funds, Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, be deemed to have shorter maturities (other than in connection with the calculation of dollar-weighted average life to maturity of a portfolio) as follows:
(1) Adjustable Rate Government Securities. A Government Security which is a variable rate security where the variable rate of interest is readjusted no less frequently than every 397 days shall be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate. A Government Security which is a floating rate security shall be deemed to have a remaining maturity of one day.
(2) Short-Term Variable Rate Securities. A variable rate security, the principal amount of which, in accordance with the terms of the security, must unconditionally be paid in 397 calendar days or less shall be deemed to have maturity equal to the earlier of the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate or the period remaining until the principal amount can be recovered through demand.
(3) Long-Term Variable Rate Securities. A variable rate security, the principal amount of which is scheduled to be paid in more than 397 days, that is subject to a demand feature shall be deemed to have a maturity equal to the longer of the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate or the period remaining until the principal amount can be recovered through demand.
(4) Short-Term Floating Rate Securities. A floating rate security, the principal amount of which, in accordance with the terms of the security, must unconditionally be paid in 397 calendar days or less shall be deemed to have a maturity of one day.
(5) Long-Term Floating Rate Securities. A floating rate security, the principal amount of which is scheduled to be paid in more than 397 days, that is subject to a demand feature, shall be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the principal amount can be recovered through demand.
Limitations on the Use of Variable and Floating Rate Notes. Variable and floating rate instruments for which no readily available market exists will be purchased in an amount which, together with securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which no readily available market exists (including repurchase agreements providing for settlement more than seven days after notice), exceeds 5% of total assets for the J.P. Morgan Funds which are money market funds (the “Money Market Funds”) only if such instruments are subject to a demand feature that will permit the Fund to demand payment of the principal
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within seven days after demand by the Fund. Funds other than Money Market Funds may not invest in Illiquid Investments (defined herein) (including variable and floating rate notes that are determined to be Illiquid Investments) in excess of the 15% Illiquid Limit (defined herein). Please see the “Liquidity Risk Management Program” section for more details. There is no limit on the extent to which a Fund may purchase demand instruments that are not illiquid or deemed to be liquid in accordance with the Adviser’s liquidity determination procedures (except, with regard to the Money Market Funds, as provided under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act). If not rated, such instruments must be found by the Adviser to be of comparable quality to instruments in which a Fund may invest. A rating may be relied upon only if it is provided by an NRSRO that is not affiliated with the issuer or guarantor of the instruments.
Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Deferred Payment Securities. Zero-coupon securities are securities that are sold at a discount to par value and on which interest payments are not made during the life of the security. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the par value of the security. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities. A Fund accrues income with respect to zero-coupon and pay-in-kind securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. Deferred payment securities are securities that remain zero-coupon securities until a predetermined date, at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective and interest becomes payable at regular intervals. While interest payments are not made on such securities, holders of such securities are deemed to have received “phantom income.” Because a Fund will distribute “phantom income” to shareholders, to the extent that shareholders elect to receive dividends in cash rather than reinvesting such dividends in additional shares, the applicable Fund will have fewer assets with which to purchase income-producing securities. Zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and deferred payment securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and lesser liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities paying cash interest at regular interest payment periods.
Negative Interest Rates. In a low or negative interest rate environment, debt instruments may trade at negative yields, which means the purchaser of the instrument may receive at maturity less than the total amount invested. In addition, in a negative interest rate environment, if a bank charges negative interest, instead of receiving interest on deposits, a depositor must pay the bank fees to keep money with the bank. To the extent a Fund holds a negatively-yielding debt instrument or has a bank deposit with a negative interest rate, the Fund would generate a negative return on that investment.
If negative interest rates become more prevalent in the market and/or if low or negative interest rates persist for a sustained period of time, some investors may seek to reallocate assets to other income-producing assets, such as investment-grade and higher-yield debt instruments, or equity investments that pay a dividend, absent other market risks that may make such alternative investments unattractive. This increased demand for higher yielding assets may cause the price of such instruments to rise while triggering a corresponding decrease in yield over time, thus reducing the value of such alternative investments. In addition, a move to higher yielding investments may cause investors, including a Fund (to the extent permitted by its investment objective and strategies), to seek fixed-income investments with longer maturities and/or potentially reduced credit quality in order to seek the desired level of yield. These considerations may limit a Fund’s ability to locate fixed-income instruments containing the desired risk/return profile. Changing interest rates, including, but not limited to, rates that fall below zero, could have unpredictable effects on the markets and may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and potential illiquidity.
For a Fund that operates as a money market fund and seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, a low or negative interest rate environment could impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. During a low or negative interest rate environment, such a Fund may reduce the number of shares outstanding on a pro rata basis through reverse stock splits, negative dividends or other mechanisms to seek to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, to the extent permissible by applicable law and its organizational documents. Alternatively, the Fund may discontinue using the amortized cost method of valuation to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share and establish a fluctuating NAV per share rounded to four decimal places by using available market quotations or equivalents.
Impact of Market Conditions on the Risks associated with Debt Securities
Investments in certain debt securities will be especially subject to the risk that, during certain periods, the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within a particular investment category, may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate.
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Current market conditions pose heightened risks for Funds that invest in debt securities given the current interest rate environment. Any future interest rate increases or other adverse conditions (e.g., inflation/deflation, increased selling of certain fixed-income investments across other pooled investment vehicles or accounts, changes in investor perception, or changes in government intervention in the markets) could cause the value of any Fund that invests in debt securities to decrease. As such, debt securities markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate and liquidity risk, as well as increased volatility. If rising interest rates cause a Fund to lose value, the Fund could also face increased shareholder redemptions, which would further impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives.
The capacity for traditional dealers to engage in fixed-income trading for certain fixed income instruments has not kept pace with the growth of the fixed income market, and in some cases has decreased. As a result, because dealers acting as market makers provide stability to a market, the significant reduction in certain dealer inventories could potentially lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets. Such issues may be exacerbated during periods of economic uncertainty or market volatility.
Debt market conditions are highly unpredictable and some parts of the market are subject to dislocations. In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, as with other serious economic disruptions, governmental authorities and regulators have enacted significant fiscal and monetary policy changes. These actions present heightened risks to debt instruments, and such risks could be even further heightened if these actions are unexpectedly or suddenly reversed or are ineffective in achieving their desired outcomes. In light of these actions and current conditions, the current environment is exposing debt markets to significant volatility and reduced liquidity for Fund investments.
Demand Features
Certain Funds may acquire securities that are subject to puts and standby commitments (“Demand Features”) to purchase the securities at their principal amount (usually with accrued interest) within a fixed period (usually seven days) following a demand by the Fund. Demand Features may be issued by the issuer of the underlying securities, a dealer in the securities or by another third party and may not be transferred separately from the underlying security. The underlying securities subject to a put may be sold at any time at market rates. To the extent that a Fund invests in such securities, the Fund expects that it will acquire puts only where the puts are available without the payment of any direct or indirect consideration. However, if determined by the Adviser to be advisable or necessary, a premium may be paid for put features. A premium paid will have the effect of reducing the yield otherwise payable on the underlying security. Demand Features provided by foreign banks involve certain risks associated with foreign investments. See “Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies)” for more information on these risks.
Under a “stand-by commitment,” a dealer would agree to purchase, at a Fund’s option, specified securities at a specified price. A Fund will acquire these commitments solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity and does not intend to exercise its rights thereunder for trading purposes. Stand-by commitments may also be referred to as put options.
The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity to permit a Fund to meet redemption requests and remain as fully invested as possible.
Equity Securities, Warrants and Rights
Common Stock. Common stock represents a share of ownership in a company and usually carries voting rights and may earn dividends. Unlike preferred stock, common stock dividends are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer’s board of directors. Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. As with all equity securities, the price of common stock fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition, including those that result from management’s performance or changes to the business of the company, and overall market and economic conditions.
Common Stock Warrants and Rights. Common stock warrants entitle the holder to buy common stock from the issuer of the warrant at a specific price (the “strike price”) for a specific period of time. The market price of warrants may be substantially lower than the current market price of the underlying common stock, yet warrants are subject to similar price fluctuations. As a result, warrants may be more volatile investments than the underlying common stock. If a warrant is exercised, a Fund may hold common stock in its portfolio even if it does not ordinarily invest in common stock.
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Rights are similar to warrants but normally have a shorter duration and are typically distributed directly by the issuers to existing shareholders, while warrants are typically attached to new debt or preferred stock issuances.
Warrants and rights generally do not entitle the holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying common stock and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants and rights will expire if not exercised on or prior to the expiration date.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock is a class of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and during a liquidation. Preferred stock generally does not carry voting rights. Outside of the United States, preferred stock may carry different rights or obligations. In some jurisdictions, preferred stocks may have different voting rights and there may be more robust trading markets and liquidity in preferred stock than the common or ordinary stock of the company. As with all equity securities, the price of preferred stock fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions. Because preferred stocks generally pay dividends only after the issuing company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt, the value of preferred stocks is more sensitive than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Similar to common stock rights described above, rights may also be issued to holders of preferred stock.
Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”). Certain Funds may purchase securities in IPOs. These securities are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and there may be limited information about the companies. The prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile. At any particular time or from time to time, a Fund may not be able to invest in securities issued in IPOs, or invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an IPO may be made available to the Fund. In addition, under certain market conditions, a relatively small number of companies may issue securities in IPOs. Similarly, as the number of Funds to which IPO securities are allocated increases, the number of securities issued to any one Fund may decrease. The investment performance of a Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as a Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease.
Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies)
Some of the Funds may invest in certain obligations or securities of foreign issuers. For purposes of a non-Money Market Fund’s investment policies and unless described otherwise in a Fund’s prospectus, an issuer of a security will be deemed to be located in a particular country if: (i) the principal trading market for the security is in such country, (ii) the issuer is organized under the laws of such country or (iii) the issuer derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from such country or has at least 50% of its total assets situated in such country. Possible investments include equity securities and debt securities (e.g., bonds and commercial paper) of foreign entities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks, including, without limitation, eurodollar certificates of deposit, eurodollar time deposits, eurodollar bankers’ acceptances, Canadian time deposits and yankee certificates of deposit, and investments in Canadian commercial paper, and europaper. Securities of foreign issuers may include sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). Sponsored ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange; unsponsored ADRs are not. Therefore, there may be less information available about the issuers of unsponsored ADRs than the issuers of sponsored ADRs. Unsponsored ADRs are restricted securities. EDRs and GDRs are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, it may be difficult to obtain information about EDRs and GDRs.
The Money Market Funds may only invest in U.S. dollar-denominated securities.
Risk Factors of Foreign Investments. The following is a summary of certain risks associated with foreign investments:
Political and Exchange Risks. Foreign investments may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include potential future adverse political and economic developments, sanctions or other measures by the United States or other governments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange
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controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations.
Higher Transaction Costs. Foreign investments may entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments.
Accounting and Regulatory Differences. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. In addition, foreign issuers are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as domestic issuers, and their securities may trade on relatively small markets, causing their securities to experience potentially higher volatility and more limited liquidity than securities of domestic issuers. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks are not regulated by U.S. banking authorities and may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. In addition, foreign banks generally are not bound by accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. banks. Dividends and interest paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes which may decrease the net return on foreign investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to a Fund by domestic companies.
Currency Risk. Foreign securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, although foreign issuers may also issue securities denominated in U.S. dollars. The value of a Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currencies and any funds held in foreign currencies will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates, the relative strength of those currencies and the U.S. dollar, and exchange-control regulations. Changes in the foreign currency exchange rates also may affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by a Fund. The exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies are determined by the forces of supply and demand in foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Currency exchange rates also can be affected by intervention (or lack of intervention) by the United States or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or elsewhere.
Accordingly, the ability of a Fund that invests in foreign securities as part of its principal investment strategy to achieve its investment objective may depend, to a certain extent, on exchange rate movements. In addition, while the volume of transactions effected on foreign stock exchanges has increased in recent years, in most cases it remains appreciably below that of domestic securities exchanges. Accordingly, a Fund’s foreign investments may be less liquid and their prices may be more volatile than comparable investments in securities of U.S. companies. In buying and selling securities on foreign exchanges, purchasers normally pay fixed commissions that are generally higher than the negotiated commissions charged in the U.S. In addition, there is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and issuers located in foreign countries than in the U.S.
Settlement Risk. The settlement periods for foreign securities and instruments are often longer than those for securities or obligations of U.S. issuers or instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. Delayed settlement may affect the liquidity of a Fund’s holdings. Certain types of securities and other instruments are not traded “delivery versus payment” in certain markets (e.g., government bonds in Russia) meaning that a Fund may deliver securities or instruments before payment is received from the counterparty. In such markets, the Fund may not receive timely payment for securities or other instruments it has delivered and may be subject to increased risk that the counterparty will fail to make payments when due or default completely. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund remains uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities, in the Fund deeming those securities to be illiquid, or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, in possible liability to the purchaser.
A Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities, will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests and treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.
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Brady Bonds. Brady bonds are securities created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to public and private entities in certain emerging markets for new bonds in connection with debt restructurings. In light of the history of defaults of countries issuing Brady bonds on their commercial bank loans, investments in Brady bonds may be viewed as speculative and subject to the same risks as emerging market securities. Brady bonds may be fully or partially collateralized or uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies (but primarily the U.S. dollar) and are actively traded in over-the-counter (“OTC”) secondary markets. Incomplete collateralization of interest or principal payment obligations results in increased credit risk. Dollar-denominated collateralized Brady bonds, which may be either fixed-rate or floating rate bonds, are generally collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.
Global Depositary Notes. Foreign securities and emerging markets securities include Global Depositary Notes (“GDNs”). A GDN is a debt instrument created by a bank that evidences ownership of local currency-denominated debt securities. GDNs reflect the terms of particular local currency-denominated bonds. GDNs trade, settle, and pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars but typically are restricted securities that do not trade on an exchange. Any distributions paid to the holders of GDNs are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary bank. In addition to the risks associated with foreign investments, a Fund’s investments in GDNs is subject to the risks associated with the underlying local currency-denominated bond and derivative instruments including credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, and management risk. Holders of GDNs may have limited rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of GDNs because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert the bonds into GDNs and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause bonds of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the GDN.
Obligations of Supranational Entities. Obligations of supranational entities include securities designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development of international banking institutions and related government agencies, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Each supranational entity’s lending activities are limited to a percentage of its total capital (including “callable capital” contributed by its governmental members at the entity’s call), reserves and net income. There is no assurance that participating governments will be able or willing to honor their commitments to make capital contributions to a supranational entity.
Sukuk. Foreign securities and emerging market securities include sukuk. Sukuk are certificates, similar to bonds, issued by the issuer to obtain an upfront payment in exchange for an income stream. Sukuks are also known as Islamic financial certificates that are designed to comply with Islamic religious law commonly known as Sharia. Such income stream may or may not be linked to a tangible asset. For sukuk that are not linked to a tangible asset, the sukuk represents a contractual payment obligation of the issuer or issuing vehicle to pay income or periodic payments to the investor, and such contractual payment obligation is linked to the issuer or issuing vehicle and not from interest on the investor’s money for the sukuk. For sukuk linked to a tangible asset, the Fund will not have a direct interest in the underlying asset or pool of assets. The issuer also makes a contractual promise to buy back the certificate at a future date at par value. Even when the certificate is linked to the returns generated by certain assets of the issuer, the underlying assets are not pledged as security for the certificates, and the Fund (as the investor) is relying on the creditworthiness of the issuer for all payments required by the sukuk. The issuer may be a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) with no other assets. Investors do not have direct legal ownership of any underlying assets. In the event of default, the process may take longer to resolve than conventional bonds. Changing interpretations of Islamic law by courts or prominent scholars may affect the free transferability of sukuk in ways that cannot now be foreseen. In such an event, the Fund may be required to hold its sukuk for longer than intended, even if their condition is deteriorating.
Issuers of sukuk may include international financial institutions, foreign governments and agencies of foreign governments. Underlying assets may include, without limitation, real estate (developed and undeveloped), lease contracts and machinery and equipment. Although the sukuk market has grown significantly in recent years, there may be times when the market is illiquid and where it is difficult for a Fund to make an investment in or dispose of sukuk at the Fund’s desired time. Furthermore, the global sukuk market is significantly smaller than conventional bond markets, and restrictions imposed by the Shariah board of the issuing entity may limit the number of investors who are interested in investing in particular sukuk. The unique characteristics of sukuk may lead to uncertainties regarding their tax treatment within a Fund.
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A Fund’s ability to pursue and enforce actions with respect to these payment obligations or to otherwise enforce the terms of the sukuk, restructure the sukuk, obtain a judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction, and/or attach assets of the obligor may be limited. Sukuk are also subject to the risks associated with developing and emerging market economies, which include, among others, the risk of sanctions and inconsistent accounting and legal principles.
Emerging Market Securities. Investing in companies domiciled in emerging market countries (i.e., emerging market securities) may be subject to potentially higher risks than investments in companies in developed countries. These risks include the risk that there is, or there may likely be: (i) less social, political, and economic stability; (ii) greater illiquidity and price volatility due to smaller or limited local capital markets for such securities, or low non-existent trading volumes; (iii) less scrutiny and regulation by local authorities of the foreign exchanges and broker-dealers; (iv) the seizure or confiscation by local governments of securities held by foreign investors, and the possible suspension or limiting by local governments of an issuer’s ability to make dividend or interest payments; (v) limiting or entirely restricting repatriation of invested capital, profits, and dividends by local governments; (vi) local taxation of capital gains, including on a retroactive basis; (vii) the attempt by issuers facing restrictions on dollar or euro payments imposed by local governments to make dividend or interest payments to foreign investors in the local currency; (viii) difficulty in enforcing legal claims related to the securities and/or local judges favoring the interests of the issuer over those of foreign investors; (ix) bankruptcy judgments being paid in the local currency; and (x) greater difficulty in determining market valuations of the securities due to limited public information regarding the issuer. Additionally, certain emerging market countries may be subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable. In addition, a Fund is limited in its ability to exercise its legal rights or enforce a counterparty's legal obligations in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States, in particular, in emerging market countries. In addition, due to jurisdictional limitations, U.S. regulators may be limited in their ability to enforce regulatory or legal obligations in emerging market countries. Also, U.S. regulators may not have sufficient access to adequately audit and oversee issuers. For example, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) is responsible for inspecting and auditing the accounting practices and products of U.S.-listed companies, regardless of the issuer’s domicile. However, certain emerging market countries, including China, do not provide sufficient access to the PCAOB to conduct its inspections and audits. As a result, U.S. investors, including the Funds, may be subject to risks associated with less stringent accounting oversight.
Emerging market securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. Although some emerging markets have become more established and issuers in such markets tend to issue securities of higher credit quality, the markets for securities in other emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development, and these countries issue securities across the credit spectrum. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for various reasons. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect a Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.
Many emerging market countries suffer from uncertainty and corruption in their legal frameworks. Legislation may be difficult to interpret and laws may be too new to provide any precedential value. Laws regarding foreign investment and private property may be weak or non-existent. Sudden changes in governments may result in policies which are less favorable to investors, such as policies designed to expropriate or nationalize “sovereign” assets. In the past, some emerging market countries have expropriated large amounts of private property, in many cases with little or no compensation, and there can be no assurance that such expropriation will not occur in the future.
Foreign investment in certain emerging market securities is restricted or controlled to varying degrees, which may limit a Fund’s investment in such securities and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by
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foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or to a specific class of securities, which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals.
Many emerging market countries lack the same social, political, and economic stability characteristics of the U.S. Political instability among emerging market countries can be common and may be caused by an uneven distribution of wealth, social unrest, labor strikes, civil wars, and religious oppression. Economic instability in emerging market countries may take the form of: (i) high interest rates; (ii) high levels of inflation, including hyperinflation; (iii) high levels of unemployment or underemployment; (iv) changes in government economic and tax policies, including confiscatory taxation; and (v) imposition of trade barriers.
Currencies of emerging market countries are subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries. Many emerging market countries have experienced steady declines or even sudden devaluations of their currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Some emerging market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies.
Some emerging market countries have experienced balance of payment deficits and shortages in foreign exchange reserves. Governments have responded by restricting currency conversions. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company’s ability to make dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some emerging market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be artificial to their actual market values.
In the past, governments within the emerging markets have become overly reliant on the international capital markets and other forms of foreign credit to finance large public spending programs which cause huge budget deficits. Often, interest payments have become too overwhelming for a government to meet, representing a large percentage of total gross domestic product (“GDP”). Some foreign governments were forced to seek a restructuring of their loan and/or bond obligations, have declared a temporary suspension of interest payments or have defaulted. These events have adversely affected the values of securities issued by foreign governments and corporations domiciled in emerging market countries and have negatively affected not only their cost of borrowing, but their ability to borrow in the future as well.
Sovereign Obligations. Sovereign debt includes investments in securities issued or guaranteed by a foreign sovereign government or its agencies, authorities or political subdivisions. An investment in sovereign debt obligations involves special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and a Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the past, certain emerging markets have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts.
A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts.
Foreign Currency Transactions. Certain Funds may engage in foreign currency transactions which include the following, some of which also have been described elsewhere in this SAI: options on currencies, currency futures, options on such futures, forward foreign currency transactions, forward rate agreements and currency swaps, caps and floors. Certain Funds may engage in such transactions in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets. To the extent a Fund enters into such transactions in markets other than in the U.S., the Fund may be subject to certain currency, settlement, liquidity, trading and other risks similar to those described in this SAI with respect to the Fund’s investments in foreign securities, including emerging markets securities and derivatives (to the extent applicable). Certain Funds may engage in such transactions to hedge against currency risks as a substitute for securities in which the Fund invests, to increase or decrease exposure to a foreign currency, to shift exposure from one foreign currency to
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another, for risk management purposes or to increase income or gain to the Fund. To the extent that a Fund uses foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes (as described herein), the Fund may hedge either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
While a Fund’s use of hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of Fund shares, the net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective. Furthermore, a Fund may only engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in currency exchange rates occur.
Certain Funds are authorized to deal in forward foreign exchange between currencies of the different countries in which the Fund will invest and multi-national currency units as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rate between these currencies. This is accomplished through contractual agreements entered into in the interbank market to purchase or sell one specified currency for another currency at a specified future date (up to one year) and price at the time of the contract.
Transaction Hedging. Generally, when a Fund engages in foreign currency transaction hedging, it enters into transactions with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund generally arising in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities. A Fund may engage in transaction hedging when it desires to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price (or a non-U.S. dollar currency (“reference currency”)) of a security it has agreed to purchase or sell, or the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a foreign currency. By transaction hedging, a Fund attempts to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or other reference currency and the applicable foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.
A Fund may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (or cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate in connection with the settlement of transactions in portfolio securities denominated in that foreign currency. Certain Funds reserve the right to purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts traded in the U.S. and subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).
For transaction hedging purposes, a Fund may also purchase U.S. exchange-listed call and put options on foreign currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies. A put option on a futures contract gives a Fund the right to assume a short position in the foreign currency futures contract until expiration of the option. A put option on currency gives a Fund the right to sell a currency at an exercise price until the expiration of the option. A call option on a futures contract gives a Fund the right to assume a long position in the futures contract until the expiration of the option. A call option on currency gives a Fund the right to purchase a currency at the exercise price until the expiration of the option.
Position Hedging. When engaging in position hedging, a Fund will enter into foreign currency exchange transactions to protect against a decline in the values of the foreign currencies in which their portfolio securities are denominated or an increase in the value of currency for securities which the Adviser expects to purchase. In connection with the position hedging, the Fund may purchase or sell foreign currency forward contracts or foreign currency on a spot basis. A Fund may purchase U.S. exchange-listed put or call options on foreign currency and foreign currency futures contracts and buy or sell foreign currency futures contracts traded in the U.S. and subject to regulation by the CFTC.
The precise matching of the amounts of foreign currency exchange transactions and the value of the portfolio securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the dates the currency exchange transactions are entered into and the dates they mature.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Certain Funds may purchase forward foreign currency exchange contracts, sometimes referred to as “currency forwards” (“Forward Contracts”), which involve an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed by the parties in an amount and at a price set at the time of the contract. In the case of a cancelable Forward Contract, the holder has the unilateral right to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee. The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers, so no intermediary is required. A Forward Contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades.
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At the maturity of a Forward Contract, a Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract. Certain Funds may also engage in non-deliverable forwards which are cash settled and which do not involve delivery of the currency specified in the contract. For more information on Non-Deliverable Forwards, see “Non-Deliverable Forwards” below.
Foreign Currency Futures Contracts. Certain Funds may purchase foreign currency futures contracts. Foreign currency futures contracts traded in the U.S. are designed by and traded on exchanges regulated by the CFTC, such as the New York Mercantile Exchange. A Fund may enter into foreign currency futures contracts for hedging purposes and other risk management purposes as defined in CFTC regulations. Certain Funds may also enter into foreign currency futures transactions to increase exposure to a foreign currency, to shift exposure from one foreign currency to another or to increase income or gain to the Fund.
At the maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract, or at or prior to maturity enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to futures contracts are effected on a commodities exchange; a clearing corporation associated with the exchange assumes responsibility for closing out such contracts.
Positions in the foreign currency futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary market in such contracts. There is no assurance that a secondary market on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures position; in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.
For more information on futures contracts, see “Futures Contracts” under the heading “Options and Futures Transactions” below.
Foreign Currency Options. Certain Funds may purchase and sell U.S. exchange-listed and OTC call and put options on foreign currencies. Such options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities. When a Fund purchases a put option, the Fund has the right but not the obligation to exchange money denominated in one currency into another currency at a pre-agreed exchange rate on a specified date. When a Fund sells or writes a call option, the Fund has the obligation to exchange money denominated in one currency into another currency at a pre-agreed exchange rate if the buyer exercises option. Some of the Funds may also purchase and sell non-deliverable currency options (“Non-Deliverable Options”). Non-Deliverable Options are cash-settled, options on foreign currencies (each a “Option Reference Currency”) that are non-convertible and that may be thinly traded or illiquid. Non-Deliverable Options involve an obligation to pay an amount in a deliverable currency (such as U.S. Dollars, Euros, Japanese Yen, or British Pounds Sterling) equal to the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate for the Option Reference Currency and the agreed upon exchange rate (the “Non-Deliverable Option Rate”), with respect to an agreed notional amount. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally.
A Fund is authorized to purchase or sell listed foreign currency options and currency swap contracts as a short or long hedge against possible variations in foreign exchange rates, as a substitute for securities in which a Fund may invest, and for risk management purposes. Such transactions may be effected with respect to hedges on non-U.S. dollar denominated securities (including securities denominated in the Euro) owned by the Fund, sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, committed or anticipated to be purchased by the Fund, or in transaction or cross-hedging strategies. As an illustration, a Fund may use such techniques to hedge the stated value in U.S. dollars of an investment in a Japanese yen-dominated security. In such circumstances, the Fund may purchase a foreign currency put option enabling it to sell a specified amount of yen for dollars at a specified price by a future date. To the extent the hedge is successful, a loss in the value of the dollar relative to the yen will tend to be offset by an increase in the value of the put option. To offset, in whole or in part, the cost of acquiring such a put option, the Fund also may sell a call option which, if exercised, requires it to sell a specified amount of yen for dollars at a specified price by a future date (a technique called a “collar”). By selling the call option in this illustration, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit without limit from increases in the relative value of the yen to the dollar. Certain Funds may also enter into foreign currency futures transactions for non-hedging purposes including to increase or decrease exposure to a foreign currency, to shift exposure from one foreign currency to another or to increase income or gain to the Fund.
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Certain differences exist among these foreign currency instruments. Foreign currency options provide the holder thereof the right to buy or to sell a currency at a fixed price on a future date. Listed options are third-party contracts which are issued by a clearing corporation, traded on an exchange and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. Performance of the parties’ obligations is guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation. OTC options are two-party contracts and have negotiated strike prices and expiration dates. Options on futures contracts are traded on boards of trade or futures exchanges. Currency swap contracts are negotiated two-party agreements entered into in the interbank market whereby the parties exchange two foreign currencies at the inception of the contract and agree to reverse the exchange at a specified future time and at a specified exchange rate.
The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Debt Fund may also purchase and sell barrier/“touch” options (“Barrier Options”), including knock-in options (“Knock-In Options”) and knock-out options (“Knock-Out Options”). A Barrier Option is a type of exotic option that gives an investor a payout once the price of the underlying currency reaches or surpasses (or falls below) a predetermined barrier. This type of option allows the buyer of the option to set the position of the barrier, the length of time until expiration and the payout to be received once the barrier is broken. It is possible for an investor to lose the premium paid for the option. There are two kinds of Knock-In Options, (i) “up and in” and (ii) “down and in”. With Knock-In Options, if the buyer has selected an upper price barrier, and the currency hits that level, the Knock-In Option turns into a more traditional option (“Vanilla Option”) whereby the owner has the right but not the obligation to exchange money denominated in one currency into another currency at a pre-agreed exchange rate on a specified date. This type of Knock-In Option is called “up and in”. The “down and in” Knock-In Option is the same as the “up and in”, except the currency has to reach a lower barrier. Upon hitting the chosen lower price level, the “down and in” Knock-In Option turns into a Vanilla Option. As in the Knock-In Option, there are two kinds of Knock-Out Options, ( i) “up and out” and (ii) “down and out”. However, in a Knock-Out Option, the buyer begins with a Vanilla Option, and if the predetermined price barrier is hit, the Vanilla Option is cancelled and the seller has no further obligation. If the option hits the upper barrier, the option is cancelled and the investor loses the premium paid, thus, “up and out”. If the option hits the lower price barrier, the option is cancelled, thus, “down and out”. Barrier Options usually call for delivery of the underlying currency.
The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar and may have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than those for round lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealer or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation information is generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S. options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options market.
Non-Deliverable Forwards. Some of the Funds may also invest in non-deliverable forwards (“NDFs”). NDFs are cash-settled, short-term forward contracts on foreign currencies (each a “Reference Currency”) that are non-convertible and that may be thinly traded or illiquid. NDFs involve an obligation to pay an amount (the “settlement amount”) equal to the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate for the Reference Currency and the agreed upon exchange rate (the “NDF Rate”), with respect to an agreed notional amount. NDFs have a fixing date and a settlement (delivery) date. The fixing date is the date and time at which the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate and the agreed upon exchange rate is calculated. The settlement (delivery) date is the date by which the payment of the settlement amount is due to the party receiving payment.
Although NDFs are similar to forward foreign currency exchange contracts, NDFs do not require physical delivery of the Reference Currency on the settlement date. Rather, on the settlement date, the only transfer between the counterparties is the monetary settlement amount representing the difference between the NDF Rate and the prevailing market exchange rate. NDFs typically may have terms from one month up to two years and are settled in U.S. dollars.
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NDFs are subject to many of the risks associated with derivatives in general and forward currency transactions including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency and the risk that the counterparty will fail to fulfill its obligations.
The Funds will typically use NDFs for hedging purposes, but may also, use such instruments to increase income or gain. The use of NDFs for hedging or to increase income or gain may not be successful, resulting in losses to the Fund, and the cost of such strategies may reduce the Funds’ respective returns.
NDFs are regulated as swaps and are subject to rules requiring central clearing and mandatory trading on an exchange or facility that is regulated by the CFTC for certain swaps. NDFs traded in the OTC market are subject to initial and variation margin requirements. Implementation of and on-going compliance with the regulations regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of NDFs may increase the cost to the Fund of hedging currency risk and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
Foreign Currency Conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for currency conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the “spread”) between prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
Other Foreign Currency Hedging Strategies. New options and futures contracts and other financial products, and various combinations thereof, continue to be developed, and certain Funds may invest in any such options, contracts and products as may be developed to the extent consistent with the Funds’ respective investment objectives and the regulatory requirements applicable to investment companies, and subject to the supervision of each Trust’s Board of Trustees.
Risk Factors in Foreign Currency Transactions. The following is a summary of certain risks associated with foreign currency transactions:
Imperfect Correlation. Foreign currency transactions present certain risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in hedging strategies and price movements in a security being hedged creates the possibility that losses on the hedging transaction may be greater than gains in the value of a Fund’s securities.
Liquidity. Hedging instruments may not be liquid in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, the Funds may not be able to dispose of or offset a transaction without incurring losses. Although foreign currency transactions used for hedging purposes may reduce the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged security, at the same time the use of these instruments could tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in the value of such security. Foreign currency transactions also may expose a Fund to margin and settlement payment obligations.
Leverage and Volatility Risk. Derivative instruments, including foreign currency derivatives, may sometimes increase or leverage a Fund’s exposure to a particular market risk. Leverage enhances the price volatility of derivative instruments held by a Fund.
Strategy Risk. Certain Funds may use foreign currency derivatives for hedging as well as non-hedging purposes including to gain or adjust exposure to currencies and securities markets or to increase income or gain to a Fund. There is no guarantee that these strategies will succeed and their use may subject a Fund to greater volatility and loss. Foreign currency transactions involve complex transactions that involve risks in addition to direct investments in securities including leverage risk and the risks associated with derivatives in general, currencies, and investments in foreign and emerging markets.
Judgment of the Adviser. Successful use of foreign currency transactions by a Fund depends upon the ability of the Adviser to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest and currency rates and other factors affecting markets for securities. If the expectations of the Adviser are not met, a Fund would be in a worse position than if a foreign currency transaction had not been pursued. For example, if a Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the price of securities in its portfolio and the price of such securities increases instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities because it will have offsetting losses in its hedging positions. In addition, when utilizing instruments that require variation margin payments, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it may have to sell securities to meet such requirements.
Other Risks. A Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward contract or futures contract. Accordingly, a Fund may have to purchase additional foreign
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currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the security or securities being hedged is less than the amount of foreign currency a Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security or securities and make delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security or securities if the market value of such security or securities exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.
Transaction and position hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities which a Fund owns or expects to purchase or sell. Rather, the Adviser may employ these techniques in an effort to maintain an investment portfolio that is relatively neutral to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to major foreign currencies and establish a rate of exchange which one can achieve at some future point in time. Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain which might result from the increase in the value of such currency. Moreover, it may not be possible for a Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the anticipated devaluation level.
Insurance-Linked Securities
The JPMorgan Strategic Income Opportunities Fund and JPMorgan Total Return Fund may invest in debt instruments or equity securities structured as event-driven, event-linked or insurance-linked notes or catastrophe bonds (collectively, “catastrophe bonds”) and related instruments such as (re)insurance sidecars (collectively with catastrophe bonds, “Insurance-Linked Securities”). Insurance-Linked Securities are generally debt obligations or equity securities for which the return of principal and the payment of interest or dividends typically are contingent on the non-occurrence of a specific “trigger” event(s) that lead to economic and/or human loss, such as a hurricane of a specific category, earthquake of a particular magnitude, or other physical or weather-related phenomena. For some Insurance-Linked Securities, the magnitude of the effect of the trigger event on the security may be based on losses to a company or industry, modeled losses to a notional portfolio, industry indexes, readings of scientific instruments, or certain other parameters associated with a catastrophe rather than actual losses. If a trigger event, as defined within the terms of each Insurance-Linked Security, occurs, a Fund may lose a portion or all of its accrued interest, dividends and/or principal invested in such Insurance-Linked Security. In addition, if there is a dispute regarding a trigger event, there may be delays in the payment of principal, interest and dividends. A Fund is entitled to receive principal, interest and dividends payments so long as no trigger event occurs of the description and magnitude specified by the Insurance-Linked Security.
Insurance-Linked Securities may be sponsored by government agencies, insurance companies or reinsurers and issued by special purpose corporations or other off-shore or on-shore entities (such special purpose entities are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined objective, such as the issuance of a note in connection with a specific reinsurance transaction). Typically, Insurance-Linked Securities are issued by off-shore entities including entities in emerging markets and may be non-dollar denominated. As a result, the Funds will be subject to currency and foreign and emerging markets risk including the risks described in Foreign Investments. Often, catastrophe bonds provide for extensions of maturity that are mandatory, or optional at the discretion of the issuer or sponsor, in order to process and audit loss claims in those cases where a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. An extension of maturity may increase volatility.
Industry loss warranties are a type of Insurance-Linked Securities that are designed to protect insurers or reinsurers from severe losses due to significant catastrophic events. The buyer pays the seller a premium at the inception of the contract, and in return the buyer can make a claim if losses due to a certain class of catastrophic event (for example, Florida hurricanes), as estimated by a third-party, exceed an agreed trigger level. Industry loss warranties have standard terms and conditions and are collateralized. These contracts are evaluated using detailed underwriting information on the applicable exposures provided by the reinsurers or their intermediaries.
Insurance-Linked Securities also may expose a Fund to certain unanticipated risks, including but not limited to issuer risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, and adverse tax consequences. Additionally, Insurance-Linked Securities are subject to the risk that modeling used to calculate the probability of a trigger event may not be accurate and/or underestimate the likelihood of a trigger event. This may result in more frequent and greater than expected losses including loss of principal and/or interest with respect to catastrophic bonds and dividends with respect to (re)insurance sidecars.
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Insurance-Linked Securities are relatively new types of financial instruments and have relatively a limited trading history. There can be no assurance that markets for these instruments will be liquid at all times, and lack of a liquid market may impose the risk of higher transaction costs and the possibility that a Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when it would not be advantageous to do so. Insurance-Linked Securities are generally rated below investment grade or the unrated equivalent and have the same or similar risks as high yield debt securities (also known as junk bonds).
Insurance-Linked Securities typically are restricted to qualified institutional buyers and, therefore, are not subject to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any state securities commission, and generally are not listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available with respect to Insurance-Linked Securities is generally less extensive than that which is available for exchange listed securities. There can be no assurance that future regulatory determinations will not adversely affect the overall market for Insurance-Linked Securities.
Inverse Floaters and Interest Rate Caps
Inverse floaters are instruments whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. The market value of an inverse floater will vary inversely with changes in market interest rates and will be more volatile in response to interest rate changes than that of a fixed rate obligation. Interest rate caps are financial instruments under which payments occur if an interest rate index exceeds a certain predetermined interest rate level, known as the cap rate, which is tied to a specific index. These financial products will be more volatile in price than securities which do not include such a structure.
Investments in inverse floaters and similar instruments expose a Fund to the same risks as investments in debt securities and derivatives, as well as other risks, including those associated with leverage and increased volatility. An investment in these securities typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed rate security. Inverse floaters may be considered to be leveraged, including if their interest rates vary by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of a change in a reference rate of interest (typically a short-term interest rate), and the market prices of inverse floaters may as a result be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and in prepayment rates on the underlying securities, and may decrease significantly when interest rates increase or prepayment rates change. Investments in inverse floaters and similar instruments that have asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage-related securities underlying them will expose a Fund to the risks associated with those asset-backed, mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities and the values of those investments may be especially sensitive to changes in prepayment rates on the underlying asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage-related securities.
Investment Company Securities and Exchange-Traded Funds
Investment Company Securities. A Fund may acquire the securities of other investment companies (“acquired funds”) to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and consistent with its investment objective and strategies. As a shareholder of another investment company, a Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that a Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. Except as described below, the 1940 Act currently requires that, as determined immediately after a purchase is made, (i) not more than 5% of the value of a fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of any one acquired fund, (ii) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of acquired funds as a group and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one acquired fund will be owned by a fund.
In addition, Section 17 of the 1940 Act prohibits a Fund from investing in another J.P. Morgan Fund except as permitted by Section 12 of the 1940 Act, by rule, or by exemptive order.
The limitations described above do not apply to investments in money market funds subject to certain conditions. All of the J.P. Morgan Funds may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated money market funds without limit under Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act subject to the acquiring fund’s investment policies and restrictions and the conditions of the Rule.
In addition, the 1940 Act’s limits and restrictions summarized above do not apply to J.P. Morgan Funds that invest in other J.P. Morgan Funds in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, SEC rule, or an exemptive order issued by the SEC (each, a “Fund of Funds”; collectively, “Funds of Funds”). Such Funds of Funds include JPMorgan Investor Funds (the “Investor Funds”), the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds
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and the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds (collectively, the “JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds”), JPMorgan Access Funds, JPMorgan Diversified Fund, and such other J.P. Morgan Funds that invest in other J.P. Morgan Funds in reliance on Section 12(d)(G) of the 1940 Act, Rule 12d1-4 or other rules issued Section 12.
Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act permits a fund to invest in acquired funds in the “same group of investment companies” (“affiliated funds”), government securities and short-term paper. In order to be an eligible investment under Section 12(d)(1)(G), an affiliated acquired fund must have a policy prohibiting it from investing in other registered open-end funds under Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act and, under certain circumstances, limit itself from investing in other investment companies and private funds.
Rule 12d1-4 allows a fund to acquire shares of an acquired fund in excess of the limitations currently imposed by the 1940 Act. Fund of funds arrangements relying on Rule 12d1-4 will be subject to several conditions, certain of which are specific to a fund’s position in the arrangement (i.e., as an acquiring or acquired fund). Notable conditions include those relating to: (i) control and voting that prohibit an acquiring fund, its investment adviser (or a sub-adviser) and their respective affiliates from beneficially owning more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of an unaffiliated acquired fund; (ii) certain required findings relating to complexity, fees and undue influence (among other things); (iii) fund of funds investment agreements; and (iv) general limitations on an acquired fund’s investments in other investment companies and private funds to no more than 10% of the acquired fund’s assets, except in certain circumstances. The limitations placed on acquired funds under Rule 12d1-4 may impact the ability of a fund to invest in an acquired fund or may impact the investments made by the acquired fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are pooled investment vehicles whose ownership interests are purchased and sold on a securities exchange. ETFs may be structured investment companies, depositary receipts or other pooled investment vehicles. As shareholders of an ETF, the Funds will bear their pro rata portion of any fees and expenses of the ETFs. Although shares of ETFs are traded on an exchange, shares of certain ETFs may not be redeemable by the ETF. In addition, ETFs may trade at a price below their net asset value (also known as a discount).
Certain Funds may use ETFs to gain exposure to various asset classes and markets or types of strategies and investments. By way of example, ETFs may be structured as broad based ETFs that invest in a broad group of stocks from different industries and market sectors; select sector; or market ETFs that invest in debt securities from a select sector of the economy, a single industry or related industries; or ETFs that invest in foreign and emerging markets securities. Other types of ETFs continue to be developed and the Fund may invest in them to the extent consistent with such Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The ETFs in which the Funds invest are subject to the risks applicable to the types of securities and investments used by the ETFs (e.g., debt securities are subject to risks like credit and interest rate risks; emerging markets securities are subject risks like currency risks and foreign and emerging markets risk; derivatives are subject to leverage and counterparty risk).
ETFs may be actively managed or index-based. Actively managed ETFs are subject to management risk and may not achieve their objective if the ETF’s manager’s expectations regarding particular securities or markets are not met. Generally, an index based ETF’s objective is to track the performance of a specified index. Index based ETFs may invest in a securities portfolio that includes substantially all of the securities in substantially the same amount as the securities included in the designated index or a representative sample. Because passively managed ETFs are designed to track an index, securities may be purchased, retained and sold at times when an actively managed ETF would not do so. As a result, shareholders of a Fund that invest in such an ETF can expect greater risk of loss (and a correspondingly greater prospect of gain) from changes in the value of securities that are heavily weighted in the index than would be the case if ETF were not fully invested in such securities. This risk is increased if a few component securities represent a highly concentrated weighting in the designated index.
Unless permitted by the 1940 Act or an order or rule issued by the SEC (see “Investment Company Securities” above for more information), the Fund’s investments in unaffiliated ETFs that are structured as investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act are subject to certain percentage limitations of the 1940 Act regarding investments in other investment companies. ETFs that are not structured as investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act are not subject to these percentage limitations.
Loans
Some of the Funds may invest in fixed and floating rate loans (“Loans”). Loans may include senior floating rate loans (“Senior Loans”) and secured and unsecured loans, second lien or more junior loans (“Junior Loans”) and bridge loans or bridge facilities (“Bridge Loans”). Loans are typically arranged
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through private negotiations between borrowers in the U.S. or in foreign or emerging markets which may be corporate issuers or issuers of sovereign debt obligations (“Obligors”) and one or more financial institutions and other lenders (“Lenders”). Generally, the Funds invest in Loans by purchasing assignments of all or a portion of Loans (“Assignments”) or Loan participations (“Participations”) from third parties although certain Funds may originate Loans.
A Fund has direct rights against the Obligor on the Loan when it purchases an Assignment. Because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender. With respect to Participations, typically, a Fund will have a contractual relationship only with the Lender and not with the Obligor. The agreement governing Participations may limit the rights of a Fund to vote on certain changes which may be made to the Loan agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant. However, the holder of a Participation will generally have the right to vote on certain fundamental issues such as changes in principal amount, payment dates and interest rate. Participations may entail certain risks relating to the creditworthiness of the parties from which the participations are obtained.
A Loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of Loan investors. The Agent typically administers and enforces the Loan on behalf of the other Loan investors in the syndicate. The Agent’s duties may include responsibility for the collection of principal and interest payments from the Obligor and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all Loan investors. The Agent is also typically responsible for monitoring compliance with the covenants contained in the Loan agreement based upon reports prepared by the Obligor. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Loan investors. In the event of a default by the Obligor, it is possible, though unlikely, that the Fund could receive a portion of the borrower’s collateral. If the Fund receives collateral other than cash, any proceeds received from liquidation of such collateral will be available for investment as part of the Fund’s portfolio.
In the process of buying, selling and holding Loans, a Fund may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When a Fund buys or sells a Loan it may pay a fee. In certain circumstances, a Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon prepayment of a Loan.
Additional Information concerning Senior Loans. Senior Loans typically hold the most senior position in the capital structure of the Obligor, are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the Obligor that is senior to that held by subordinated debtholders and shareholders of the Obligor. Collateral for Senior Loans may include (i) working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory; (ii) tangible fixed assets, such as real property, buildings and equipment; (iii) intangible assets, such as trademarks and patent rights; and/or (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or affiliates.
Additional Information concerning Junior Loans. Junior Loans include secured and unsecured loans including subordinated loans, second lien and more junior loans, and bridge loans. Second lien and more junior loans (“Junior Lien Loans”) are generally second or further in line in terms of repayment priority. In addition, Junior Lien Loans may have a claim on the same collateral pool as the first lien or other more senior liens or may be secured by a separate set of assets. Junior Loans generally give investors priority over general unsecured creditors in the event of an asset sale.
Additional Information concerning Bridge Loans. Bridge Loans are short-term loan arrangements (e.g., 12 to 36 months) typically made by an Obligor in anticipation of intermediate-term or long-term permanent financing. Most Bridge Loans are structured as floating-rate debt with step-up provisions under which the interest rate on the Bridge Loan rises the longer the Loan remains outstanding. In addition, Bridge Loans commonly contain a conversion feature that allows the Bridge Loan investor to convert its Loan interest to senior exchange notes if the Loan has not been prepaid in full on or prior to its maturity date. Bridge Loans typically are structured as Senior Loans but may be structured as Junior Loans.
Additional Information concerning Unfunded Commitments. Unfunded commitments are contractual obligations pursuant to which the Fund agrees to invest in a Loan at a future date. Typically, the Fund receives a commitment fee for entering into the Unfunded Commitment.
Additional Information concerning Synthetic Letters of Credit. Loans include synthetic letters of credit. In a synthetic letter of credit transaction, the Lender typically creates a special purpose entity or a credit-linked deposit account for the purpose of funding a letter of credit to the borrower. When a Fund
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invests in a synthetic letter of credit, the Fund is typically paid a rate based on the Lender’s borrowing costs and the terms of the synthetic letter of credit. Synthetic letters of credit are typically structured as Assignments with the Fund acquiring direct rights against the Obligor.
Additional Information concerning Loan Originations. In addition to investing in loan assignments and participations, the Strategic Income Opportunities Fund, Global Bond Opportunities Fund, Unconstrained Debt Fund and Income Fund may originate Loans in which the Fund would lend money directly to a borrower by investing in limited liability companies or corporations that make loans directly to borrowers. The terms of the Loans are negotiated with borrowers in private transactions. Such Loans would be collateralized, typically with tangible fixed assets such as real property or interests in real property. Such Loans may also include mezzanine loans. Unlike Loans secured by a mortgage on real property, mezzanine loans are collateralized by an equity interest in an SPV that owns the real property.
Limitations on Investments in Loan Assignments and Participations. If a government entity is a borrower on a Loan, the Fund will consider the government to be the issuer of an Assignment or Participation for purposes of a Fund’s fundamental investment policy that it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (i.e., foreign government).
Limited Federal Securities Law Protections. Certain Loans may not be considered securities under the federal securities laws. In such circumstances, fewer legal protections may be available with respect to a Fund’s investment in those Loans. In particular, if a Loan is not considered a security under the federal securities laws, certain legal protections normally available to investors under the federal securities laws, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation, may not be available.
Multiple Lender Risk. There may be additional risks associated with Loans, including loan originations, when there are Lenders or other participants in addition to the Fund. For example, a Fund could lose the ability to consent to certain actions taken by the Borrower if certain conditions are not met. In addition, for example, certain governing agreements that provide the Fund with the right to consent to certain actions taken by a Borrower may provide that the Fund will no longer have the right to provide such consent if another Lender makes a subsequent advance to the Borrower.
Risk Factors of Loans. Loans are subject to the risks associated with debt obligations in general including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. When a Loan is acquired from a Lender, the risk includes the credit risk associated with the Obligor of the underlying Loan. The Fund may incur additional credit risk when the Fund acquires a participation in a Loan from another lender because the Fund must assume the risk of insolvency or bankruptcy of the other lender from which the Loan was acquired. To the extent that Loans involve Obligors in foreign or emerging markets, such Loans are subject to the risks associated with foreign investments or investments in emerging markets in general. The following outlines some of the additional risks associated with Loans.
High Yield Securities Risk. The Loans that a Fund invests in may not be rated by an NRSRO, will not be registered with the SEC or any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. To the extent that such high yield Loans are rated, they typically will be rated below investment grade and are subject to an increased risk of default in the payment of principal and interest as well as the other risks described under “High Yield/High Risk Securities/Junk Bonds.” Loans are vulnerable to market sentiment such that economic conditions or other events may reduce the demand for Loans and cause their value to decline rapidly and unpredictably.
Liquidity Risk. Loans that are deemed to be liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid or less liquid. No active trading market may exist for certain Loans and certain Loans may be subject to restrictions on resale or have a limited secondary market. Certain Loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The inability to dispose of certain Loans in a timely fashion or at a favorable price could result in losses to a Fund. Also, to the extent that a Fund needs to satisfy redemption requests or cover unanticipated cash shortfalls, the Fund may seek to engage in borrowing under a credit facility or enter into lending agreements under which the Fund would borrow money for temporary purposes directly from another J.P. Morgan Fund (please see “Interfund Lending”). Certain Money Market Funds also use an interest bearing deposit facility to set aside cash at a level estimated to meet the Money Market Fund’s next business day’s intraday redemption orders. See “Interest Bearing Deposit Facility” for more information.
Collateral and Subordination Risk. With respect to Loans that are secured, a Fund is subject to the risk that collateral securing the Loan will decline in value or have no value or that the Fund’s lien is or will become junior in payment to other liens. A decline in value of the collateral, whether as a result of
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market value declines, bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, could cause the Loan to be under collateralized or unsecured. In such event, the Fund may have the ability to require that the Obligor pledge additional collateral. The Fund, however, is subject to the risk that the Obligor may not pledge such additional collateral or a sufficient amount of collateral. In some cases (for example, in the case of non-recourse Loans), there may be no formal requirement for the Obligor to pledge additional collateral. In addition, collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy an Obligor’s obligation on a Loan. If the Fund were unable to obtain sufficient proceeds upon a liquidation of such assets, this could negatively affect Fund performance.
If an Obligor becomes involved in bankruptcy proceedings, a court may restrict the ability of the Fund to demand immediate repayment of the Loan by the Obligor or otherwise liquidate the collateral. A court may also invalidate the Loan or the Fund’s security interest in collateral or subordinate the Fund’s rights under a Senior Loan or Junior Loan to the interest of the Obligor’s other creditors, including unsecured creditors, or cause interest or principal previously paid to be refunded to the Obligor. If a court required interest or principal to be refunded, it could negatively affect Fund performance. Such action by a court could be based, for example, on a “fraudulent conveyance” claim to the effect that the Obligor did not receive fair consideration for granting the security interest in the Loan collateral to a Fund. For Senior Loans made in connection with a highly leveraged transaction, consideration for granting a security interest may be deemed inadequate if the proceeds of the Loan were not received or retained by the Obligor, but were instead paid to other persons (such as shareholders of the Obligor) in an amount which left the Obligor insolvent or without sufficient working capital. There are also other events, such as the failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings, which could lead to the invalidation of a Fund’s security interest in Loan collateral. If the Fund’s security interest in Loan collateral is invalidated or a Senior Loan were subordinated to other debt of an Obligor in bankruptcy or other proceedings, the Fund would have substantially lower recovery, and perhaps no recovery on the full amount of the principal and interest due on the Loan, or the Fund could have to refund interest. Lenders and investors in Loans can be sued by other creditors and shareholders of the Obligors. Losses can be greater than the original Loan amount and occur years after the principal and interest on the Loan have been repaid.
Agent Risk. Selling Lenders, Agents and other entities who may be positioned between a Fund and the Obligor will likely conduct their principal business activities in the banking, finance and financial services industries. Investments in Loans may be more impacted by a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting such industries than other types of investments. Entities engaged in such industries may be more susceptible to, among other things, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in monetary policies, government regulations concerning such industries and concerning capital raising activities generally and fluctuations in the financial markets generally. An Agent, Lender or other entity positioned between a Fund and the Obligor may become insolvent or enter Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) receivership or bankruptcy. The Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a Loan or suffer a loss of principal and/ or interest if assets or interests held by the Agent, Lender or other party positioned between the Fund and the Obligor are determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s, Lender’s or such other party’s creditors.
Regulatory Changes. To the extent that legislation or state or federal regulators that regulate certain financial institutions impose additional requirements or restrictions with respect to the ability of such institutions to make Loans, particularly in connection with highly leveraged transactions, the availability of Loans for investment may be adversely affected. Furthermore, such legislation or regulation could depress the market value of Loans held by the Fund.
Inventory Risk. Affiliates of the Adviser may participate in the primary and secondary market for Loans. Because of limitations imposed by applicable law, the presence of the Adviser’s affiliates in the Loan market may restrict a Fund’s ability to acquire some Loans, affect the timing of such acquisition or affect the price at which the Loan is acquired.
Information Risk. There is typically less publicly available information concerning Loans than other types of fixed income investments. As a result, a Fund generally will be dependent on reports and other information provided by the Obligor, either directly or through an Agent, to evaluate the Obligor’s creditworthiness or to determine the Obligor’s compliance with the covenants and other terms of the Loan Agreement. Such reliance may make investments in Loans more susceptible to
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fraud than other types of investments. In addition, because the Adviser may wish to invest in the publicly traded securities of an Obligor, it may not have access to material non-public information regarding the Obligor to which other Loan investors have access.
Junior Loan Risk. Junior Loans are subject to the same general risks inherent to any Loan investment. Due to their lower place in the Obligor’s capital structure and possible unsecured status, Junior Loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than Senior Loans of the same Obligor. Junior Loans that are Bridge Loans generally carry the expectation that the Obligor will be able to obtain permanent financing in the near future. Any delay in obtaining permanent financing subjects the Bridge Loan investor to increased risk. An Obligor’s use of Bridge Loans also involves the risk that the Obligor may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the Bridge Loan, which may impair the Obligor’s perceived creditworthiness.
Mezzanine Loan Risk. In addition to the risk factors described above, mezzanine loans are subject to additional risks. Unlike conventional mortgage loans, mezzanine loans are not secured by a mortgage on the underlying real property but rather by a pledge of equity interests (such as a partnership or limited liability company membership) in the property owner or another company in the ownership structures that has control over the property. Such companies are typically structured as special purpose entities. Generally, mezzanine loans may be more highly leveraged than other types of Loans and subordinate in the capital structure of the Obligor. While foreclosure of a mezzanine loan generally takes substantially less time than foreclosure of a traditional mortgage, the holders of a mezzanine loan have different remedies available versus the holder of a first lien mortgage loan. In addition, a sale of the underlying real property would not be unencumbered, and thus would be subject to encumbrances by more senior mortgages and liens of other creditors. Upon foreclosure of a mezzanine loan, the holder of the mezzanine loan acquires an equity interest in the Obligor. However, because of the subordinate nature of a mezzanine loan, the real property continues to be subject to the lien of the mortgage and other liens encumbering the real estate. In the event the holder of a mezzanine loan forecloses on its equity collateral, the holder may need to cure the Obligor’s existing mortgage defaults or, to the extent permissible under the governing agreements, sell the property to pay off other creditors. To the extent that the amount of mortgages and senior indebtedness and liens exceed the value of the real estate, the collateral underlying the mezzanine loan may have little or no value.
Foreclosure Risk. There may be additional costs associated with enforcing a Fund’s remedies under a Loan including additional legal costs and payment of real property transfer taxes upon foreclosure in certain jurisdictions or legal costs and expenses associated with operating real property. As a result of these additional costs, the Fund may determine that pursuing foreclosure on the Loan collateral is not worth the associated costs. In addition, if the Fund incurs costs and the collateral loses value or is not recovered by the Fund in foreclosure, the Fund could lose more than its original investment in the Loan. Foreclosure risk is heightened for Junior Loans, including certain mezzanine loans.
Covenant-Lite Obligations. A Fund may invest in or be exposed to floating rate loans and other similar debt obligations that are sometimes referred to as “covenant-lite” loans or obligations (���covenant-lite obligations”), which are loans or other similar debt obligations that lack financial maintenance covenants or possess fewer or contingent financial maintenance covenants and other financial protections for lenders and investors. A Fund may obtain exposure to covenant-lite obligations through investment in securitization vehicles and other structured products. In current market conditions, many new, restructured or reissued loans and similar debt obligations do not feature traditional financial maintenance covenants, which are intended to protect lenders and investors by imposing certain restrictions and other limitations on a borrower’s operations or assets and by providing certain information and consent rights to lenders. Covenant-lite obligations allow borrowers to exercise more flexibility with respect to certain activities that may otherwise be limited or prohibited under similar loan obligations that are not covenant-lite. In an investment with a traditional financial maintenance covenant, the borrower is required to meet certain regular, specific financial tests over the term of the investment; in a covenant-lite obligation, the borrower would only be required to satisfy certain financial tests at the time it proposes to take a specific action or engage in a specific transaction (e.g., issuing additional debt, paying a dividend, or making an acquisition) or at a time when another financial criteria has been met (e.g., reduced availability under a revolving credit facility, or asset value falling below a certain percentage of outstanding debt obligations). In addition, in a loan with traditional covenants, the borrower is required to provide certain periodic financial reporting that typically includes a detailed calculation of certain financial metrics; in a
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covenant-lite obligation, certain detailed financial information is only required to be provided when a financial metric is required to be calculated, which may result in more limited access to financial information, difficulty evaluating the borrower’s financial performance over time and delays in exercising rights and remedies in the event of a significant financial decline. In addition, in the event of default, covenant-lite obligations may exhibit diminished recovery values as the lender may not have the opportunity to negotiate with the borrower or take other measures intended to mitigate losses prior to default. Accordingly, a Fund may have fewer rights with respect to covenant-lite obligations, including fewer protections against the possibility of default and fewer remedies, and may experience losses or delays in enforcing its rights on covenant-lite obligations. As a result, investments in or exposure to covenant-lite obligations are generally subject to more risk than investments that contain traditional financial maintenance covenants and financial reporting requirements.
Miscellaneous Investment Strategies and Risks
Borrowings. A Fund may borrow for temporary purposes and/or for investment purposes. Such a practice will result in leveraging of a Fund’s assets and may cause a Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so. This borrowing may be secured or unsecured. If a Fund utilizes borrowings, for investment purposes or otherwise, it may pledge up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to secure such borrowings. A Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of at least 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets made for temporary administrative or emergency purposes. Any borrowings for temporary administrative purposes in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets must maintain continuous asset coverage. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, a Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of any securities that may have been purchased during the time of the borrowing. A Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit, either of which would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
Certain Trusts, on behalf of certain Funds (“Borrowers”) entered into a joint syndicated senior unsecured revolving credit facility totaling $1.5 billion, which terminates on August 8, 2023 unless otherwise extended or renewed (“Credit Facility”), with various lenders and The Bank of New York Mellon, as administrative agent for the lenders. This Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, a borrowing Fund must meet certain requirements, including a minimum adjusted net asset value amount and certain adjusted net asset coverage rations prior to and during the time in which any borrowings are outstanding. If a Fund does not comply with these requirements, the lenders may terminate the Credit Facility and declare any outstanding borrowings to be due and payable immediately. Interest associated with any borrowing under the Credit Facility is charged to the borrowing Fund at a variable rate. In addition, each participating Fund is charged an annual commitment fee, which is incurred on the unused portion of the Credit Facility and is allocated to all participating Funds pro rata based on their respective net assets.
In addition, each Fund may enter into Interfund Lending Arrangements. Please see “Interfund Lending.”
LIBOR Discontinuance or Unavailability Risk. The London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank market. On March 5, 2021, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) publicly announced that (i) immediately after December 31, 2021, publication of the 1-week and 2-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings will permanently cease; (ii) immediately after June 30, 2023, publication of the overnight and 12-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings will permanently cease; and (iii) immediately after June 30, 2023, the 1-month, 3-month and 6-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings will cease to be provided or, subject to the FCA’s consideration of the case, be provided on a synthetic basis and no longer be representative of the underlying market and economic reality they are intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored. There is no assurance that the dates announced by the FCA will not change or that the administrator of LIBOR and/or regulators will not take further action that could impact
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the availability, composition or characteristics of LIBOR or the currencies and/or tenors for which LIBOR is published, and we recommend that you consult your advisors to stay informed of any such developments. In addition, certain regulated entities ceased entering into most new LIBOR contracts in connection with regulatory guidance or prohibitions. Public and private sector industry initiatives are currently underway to implement new or alternative reference rates to be used in place of LIBOR. There is no assurance that any such alternative reference rate will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that it will have the same volume or liquidity as did LIBOR prior to its discontinuance, unavailability or replacement, all of which may affect the value, volatility, liquidity or return on certain of a Fund’s loans, notes, derivatives and other instruments or investments comprising some or all of a Fund’s investments and result in costs incurred in connection with changing reference rates used for positions, closing out positions and entering into new trades. Certain of the Fund’s investments may transition from LIBOR prior to the dates announced by the FCA. The transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates may result in operational issues for the Fund or its investments. No assurances can be given as to the impact of the LIBOR transition (and the timing of any such impact) on the Fund and its investments. These risks may also apply with respect to changes in connection with other interbank offering rates (e.g., Euribor) and a wide range of other index levels, rates and values that are treated as “benchmarks” and are the subject of recent regulatory reform.
Commodity-Linked Derivatives. Commodity-linked derivatives are derivative instruments the value of which is linked to the value of a commodity, commodity index or commodity futures contract. A Fund’s investment in commodity-linked derivative instruments may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, particularly if the instruments involve leverage. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. Use of leveraged commodity-linked derivatives creates the possibility for greater loss (including the likelihood of greater volatility of the Fund’s net asset value), and there can be no assurance that a Fund’s use of leverage will be successful. Tax considerations may limit a Fund’s ability to pursue investments in commodity-linked derivatives.
Commodity-Related Pooled Investment Vehicles. Commodity-related pooled investment vehicles include ownership interests in grantor trusts and other pooled investment vehicles that hold tangible assets such as gold, silver or other commodities or invest in commodity futures. Grantor trusts are typically traded on an exchange.
Investors do not have the rights normally associated with ownership of other types of shares when they invest in pooled investment vehicles holding commodities or commodity futures, including those structured as limited partnerships or grantor trusts holding commodities. For example, the owners of these commodity-related grantor trusts or limited partnerships do not have the right to elect directors, receive dividends or take other actions normally associated with the ownership of shares of a corporation. Holders of a certain percentage of shares in a grantor trust may have the right to terminate the trust or exercise other rights which would not be available to small investors. If investors other than a Fund exercise their right to terminate, a Fund that wishes to invest in the underlying commodity through the pooled investment vehicle will have to find another investment and may not be able to find another vehicle that offers the same investment features. In the event that one or more participants holding a substantial interest in these pooled investment vehicles withdraw from participation, the liquidity of the pooled investment vehicle will likely decrease which could adversely affect the market price of the pooled investment vehicle and result in a Fund incurring a loss on its investments.
These pooled investment vehicles are not registered investment companies, and many are not commodity pools, and therefore, do not have the protections available to those types of investments under federal securities or commodities laws. For example, unlike registered investment companies, these vehicles are not subject to federal securities laws that limit transactions with affiliates, require redemption of shares, or limit sales load. Although shares of these vehicles may be traded on an exchange, there may be no active market for such shares and such shares may be highly illiquid.
These vehicles are subject to the risks associated with direct investments in commodities. The market price of shares of these vehicles will be as unpredictable as the price of the underlying commodity. Many factors can cause a decline in the prices of commodities including a change in economic conditions, such as a recession. This risk is magnified when the commodity is used in manufacturing. In addition, the prices
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of commodities may be adversely impacted by a change in the attitude of speculators and investors toward the applicable commodity, or a significant increase in commodity price hedging activity. In addition, the value of the shares will be adversely affected if the assets owned by the trust are lost, damaged or of inferior quality.
The commodities represented by shares of a grantor trust will decrease over the life of the trust due to sales of the underlying commodities necessary to pay trust fees and expenses, including expenses associated with indemnification of certain service providers to the pooled investment vehicle. Without increases in the price of the underlying commodity sufficient to compensate for that decrease, the price of the investment will decline and a Fund will incur a loss on its investment.
Commodity-related grantor trusts are passive investment vehicles. This means that the value of the investment in a grantor trust may be adversely affected by trust losses that, if the trust had been actively managed, it might have been possible to avoid. A Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code may limit its ability to make investments in grantor trusts or limited partnerships that invest in commodities or commodity futures.
Cyber Security Risk. As the use of technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the Funds have become more susceptible to operational and financial risks associated with cyber security, including: theft, loss, misuse, improper release, corruption and destruction of, or unauthorized access to, confidential or highly restricted data relating to a Fund and its shareholders; and compromises or failures to systems, networks, devices and applications relating to the operations of a Fund and its service providers. Cyber security risks may result in financial losses to a Fund and its shareholders; the inability of a Fund to transact business with its shareholders; delays or mistakes in the calculation of a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) or other materials provided to shareholders; the inability to process transactions with shareholders or other parties; violations of privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties and reputational damage; and compliance and remediation costs, legal fees and other expenses. A Fund’s service providers (including, but not limited to, the Adviser, any sub-advisers, administrator, transfer agent, and custodian or their agents), financial intermediaries, companies in which a Fund invests and parties with which a Fund engages in portfolio or other transactions also may be adversely impacted by cyber security risks in their own businesses, which could result in losses to a Fund or its shareholders. While measures have been developed which are designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security, there is no guarantee that those measures will be effective, particularly since the Funds do not directly control the cyber security defenses or plans of their service providers, financial intermediaries and companies in which they invest or with which they do business.
Volcker Rule Risk. Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) and certain rules promulgated thereunder (known as the Volcker Rule) places restrictions on the activities of banking entities, including the Adviser and its affiliates, and may impact the long-term viability of a Fund. Under the Volcker Rule, if the Adviser or its affiliates own 5% or more of the ownership interests of a Fund outside of the permitted seeding time period, a Fund could be subject to restrictions on trading that would adversely impact a Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy. Generally, the permitted seeding period is three years from the implementation of a Fund’s investment strategy, with permissible extensions under certain circumstances. As a result, the Adviser and/or its affiliates may be required to reduce their ownership interests in a Fund at a time that is sooner than would otherwise be desirable. This may require the sale of Fund securities, which may result in losses, increased transaction costs and adverse tax consequences. In addition, the ongoing viability of a Fund may be adversely impacted by the anticipated or actual redemption of Fund shares owned by the Adviser and its affiliates and could result in a Fund’s liquidation.
Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”) are senior, unsecured notes linked to an index. Like ETFs, they may be bought and sold like shares of stock on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during normal trading hours. However, ETNs have a different underlying structure and may be held until their maturity. While ETF shares represent an interest in a portfolio of securities, ETNs are structured products that are an obligation of the issuing bank, whereby the bank agrees to pay a return based on the target index less any fees. Essentially, these notes allow individual investors to have access to derivatives linked to commodities and assets such as oil, currencies and foreign stock indexes. ETNs combine certain aspects of bonds and ETFs. At maturity, the issuer of a ETN pays to the investor a cash amount equal to principal amount, subject to the day’s index factor. ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index minus applicable fees. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments and provide no principal protection. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying commodities markets, changes in the applicable interest rates,
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changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced commodity. The timing and character of income and gains derived from ETNs is under consideration by the U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service and may also be affected by future legislation.
Impact of Large Redemptions and Purchases of Fund Shares. Shareholders of a Fund (which may include the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser or accounts for which the Adviser or its affiliates serve as investment adviser or trustee or, for certain Funds, affiliated and/or non-affiliated registered investment companies that invest in a Fund) may make relatively large redemptions or purchases of Fund shares. In addition, certain circumstances that may cause a Fund to experience large redemptions include, but are not limited to: the occurrence of significant events affecting investor demand for securities or asset classes in which the Fund invests; changes in the eligibility criteria for the Fund or share class of the Fund or other J.P. Morgan Funds; personnel changes relating to the management of the Fund; index rebalancings; announced liquidations of the Fund; announced reorganizations of the Fund; or other announcements relating to the Fund, including changes in investment objectives, strategies, policies or risks. In addition, under applicable regulations, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser may be required to reduce its seed investment or other ownership interest in a Fund at a time that is sooner than the Adviser or its affiliate otherwise would. Any large redemption and purchase transactions may cause a Fund to have to sell securities, or invest additional cash, as the case may be. While it is impossible to predict the overall impact of these transactions over time, there could be adverse effects on a Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is required to sell securities or invest cash at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may result in a loss to the Fund. These transactions may result in higher portfolio turnover, accelerate the realization of taxable income if sales of securities resulted in capital gains or other income (which particularly would impact shareholders who do not hold their Fund shares in an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged investment plan), and/or increase transaction costs, which may impact the Fund’s expense ratio. Additionally, a significant reduction in Fund assets would result in Fund expenses being spread over a small asset base, potentially causing an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. To the extent that such transactions result in short-term capital gains, such gains will generally be taxed at the ordinary income tax rate for shareholders who hold Fund shares in a taxable account. In addition to the above information, the SAI includes disclosure of accounts holding more than 5% of a Fund’s voting securities.
Capital Gains. A Fund may sell securities and subsequently repurchase the same securities in an effort to manage capital gains distributions. This may occur if a Fund’s unrealized and/or realized capital gains represent a significant portion of its net assets. If this occurs, this will change the timing, amount and/or character of capital gains to be distributed and therefore the amount and timing of tax paid by Fund shareholders will change. In addition, shareholders may experience corresponding tax implications upon redemption as reinvested distributions will generally increase the cost basis of their Fund share position, potentially changing the amount of realized gain or loss. Accordingly, a redeeming shareholder’s total tax liability from distributions and redemptions for a year may be impacted by the character of the distributions and whether or not shares are redeemed in the same year. In addition, a Fund’s repurchased securities when subsequently sold may cause the Fund to realize short-term capital gains or losses rather than long-term capital gains or losses. Repurchases of substantially identical securities within 30 days before or after the securities are sold at a loss will result in the application of the wash sale rules. The Fund would incur additional transaction costs from the selling and repurchasing of securities, and the value of the securities sold may change. An increase or decrease in the value of securities sold prior to being repurchased may impact Fund performance. Additionally, unless otherwise disclosed in a Fund’s prospectus, the Funds are not managed to maximize after-tax returns or tax efficiency for taxable shareholder accounts. As a result, large redemptions could accelerate the realization of capital gains for a shareholder of those Funds. Investors should consider whether a Fund is an appropriate investment in light of their current financial position and retirement needs.
Government Intervention in Financial Markets. Events in the financial sector resulted in reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets and a higher degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets were, and may continue to be, impacted, issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets were, and may continue to be, particularly affected. Future market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the Funds’ investments.
Instability in the financial markets has previously led, and could lead, governments and regulators around the world to take a number of actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, a lack of liquidity or other adverse conditions. Governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Funds invest, or the issuers of such
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instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Funds themselves are regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Funds to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Funds.
Interest Bearing Deposit Facility. As part of seeking to provide intraday liquidity, certain Money Market Funds generally set aside cash in an interest bearing deposit facility (“IBDF”) at a level estimated to meet the Money Market Fund’s next business day’s intraday redemption orders. Under the IBDF, each Money Market Fund expects to retain a balance (“designated balance”) overnight in its custodial cash deposit account with JPMorgan Chase Bank at a level estimated to meet its next business day’s intraday redemption orders. As redemption payments are processed for the Money Market Fund on the next business day, outgoing wires are debited from its account. At the end of that day, the Money Market Fund seeks to allocate cash to the account to restore the designated balance. A Money Market Fund receives interest overnight on the designated balance.
Interfund Lending. To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls, a Fund may enter into lending agreements (“Interfund Lending Agreements”) under which the Fund would lend money and borrow money for temporary purposes directly to and from another J.P. Morgan Fund through a credit facility (“Interfund Loan”), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to the Funds or other relief provided by the SEC or its staff permitting such interfund lending. No Fund may borrow more than the lesser of the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or the amount permitted by its investment limitations. All Interfund Loans will consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the Fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments.
If a Fund has outstanding borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund will (a) be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b) be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending Fund) constitute an immediate event of default under an Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending Fund to call the Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral), and such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing Fund.
A Fund may make an unsecured borrowing through the credit facility if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another J.P. Morgan Fund, the Fund’s interfund borrowing will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If a Fund’s total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the credit facility on a secured basis only. A Fund may not borrow through the credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the interfund borrowing would exceed the limits imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act.
No Fund may lend to another Fund through the interfund lending credit facility if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit facility to exceed 15% of the lending Fund’s net assets at the time of the loan. A Fund’s Interfund Loans to any one Fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending Fund’s net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event may the duration exceed seven days. Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a lending Fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing Fund.
The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a Fund borrows money from another Fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day’s notice or not
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renewed, in which case the Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan were not available from another Fund. A delay in repayment to a lending Fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs.
Master Limited Partnerships. Certain companies are organized as master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) in which ownership interests are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or directly own interests) that are related to real estate development and oil and gas industries, but they also may finance motion pictures, research and development and other projects or provide financial services. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more managing general partners. Limited partners (like a Fund that invests in an MLP) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership. They are allocated income and capital gains associated with the partnership project in accordance with the terms established in the partnership agreement.
The risks of investing in an MLP are generally those inherent in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. Additional risks involved with investing in an MLP are risks associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risks of investing in real estate, or oil and gas industries.
YieldCos. A YieldCo is a dividend growth-oriented company, created by a parent company (the “YieldCo Sponsor”), that bundles operating assets in order to generate systematic cash flows. YieldCos are not limited by asset or income composition, but they are generally tied to the energy industry, including, for example, renewable energy projects, that offer predictable cash flows. YieldCos generally serve a similar purpose as MLPs and REITs, which most energy companies cannot establish due to regulatory reasons.
The risks of investing in YieldCos involve risks that differ from investments in traditional operating companies, including risks related to the relationship between the YieldCo and the YieldCo Sponsor. A YieldCo is usually dependent on the management of the YieldCo Sponsor and may be impacted by the development capabilities and financial health of its YieldCo Sponsor. Additionally, a YieldCo Sponsor may have interests of its YieldCo and may retain control of the YieldCo through classes of stock held by the YieldCo Sponsor.
A YieldCo’s share price is typically a multiple of its distributable cash flow. Therefore, any event that limits a YieldCo’s ability to maintain or grow its distributable cash flow would likely have a negative impact on the YieldCo’s share price. The share price of a YieldCo can be affected by fundamentals unique to the YieldCo, including the robustness and consistency of its earnings and its ability to meet debt obligations including the payment of interest and principle to creditors. A YieldCo may distribute all or substantially all of the cash available for distribution, which may limit new acquisitions and future growth. A YieldCo may finance its growth strategy with debt, which may increase the YieldCo’s leverage and the risk associated with the YieldCo. The ability of a YieldCo to maintain or grow its dividend distributions may depend on the YieldCo’s ability to minimize its tax liabilities through the use of accelerated depreciation schedule, tax loss carryforwards, and tax incentives. Changes to the current tax code could result in greater tax liabilities, which would reduce a YieldCo’s distributable cash flow.
New Financial Products. New options and futures contracts and other financial products, and various combinations thereof, including over-the-counter products, continue to be developed. These various products may be used to adjust the risk and return characteristics of certain Funds’ investments. These various products may increase or decrease exposure to security prices, interest rates, commodity prices, or other factors that affect security values, regardless of the issuer’s credit risk. If market conditions do not perform as expected, the performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these products were not used. In addition, losses may occur if counterparties involved in transactions do not perform as promised. These products may expose the Fund to potentially greater return as well as potentially greater risk of loss than more traditional fixed income investments.
Private Placements, Restricted Securities and Other Unregistered Securities. Subject to its investment policies, a Fund may acquire investments such as obligations issued in reliance on the so-called “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), which cannot be offered for public sale in the U.S. without first being registered under the 1933 Act. These securities may be subject to liquidity risks and certain private placements may be determined to be Illiquid Investments under the Liquidity Risk Management Program applicable to the Funds (other than Money Market Funds).
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A Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund decide to sell such securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s net assets could be adversely affected. In addition, information about the issuers whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that may be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. As a result, prices of such securities may be difficult to value and highly volatile, which could impact the value of the Fund’s net assets. Where a security must be registered under the 1933 Act before it may be sold, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, a Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.
The Funds may invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and other restricted securities (i.e., other securities subject to restrictions on resale). Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper (“4(a)(2) paper”) is restricted as to disposition under federal securities law and is generally sold to institutional investors, such as the Funds, that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment purposes and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be in an exempt transaction. 4(a)(2) paper is normally resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in 4(a)(2) paper, thus providing liquidity.
Certain investments in private placements may consist of direct investments and may include investments in smaller, less seasoned issuers, which may involve greater risks. These issuers may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent on a limited management group. In making investments in such securities, a Fund may obtain access to material non-public information, which may restrict the Fund’s ability to conduct portfolio transactions in such securities.
Securities Issued in Connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructuring. Debt securities may be downgraded and issuers of debt securities including investment grade securities may default in the payment of principal or interest or be subject to bankruptcy proceedings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. A Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even though it does not ordinarily invest in such securities and such common stock or other securities may be denominated in currencies that a Fund may not ordinarily hold.
Stapled Securities. From time to time, the Funds may invest in stapled securities to gain exposure to companies. A stapled security is a security that is comprised of two or more parts that cannot be separated from one another. The resulting security is influenced by both parts, and must be treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying or selling a security. The value of stapled securities and the income derived from them may fall as well as rise. Stapled securities are not obligations of, deposits in, or guaranteed by, the Fund. The listing of stapled securities on a domestic or foreign exchange does not guarantee a liquid market for stapled securities.
Temporary Defensive Positions. To respond to unusual market conditions, all of the Funds may invest their assets in cash or cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are highly liquid, high quality instruments with maturities of three months or less on the date they are purchased (“Cash Equivalents”) for temporary defensive purposes. These investments may result in a lower yield than lower-quality or longer term investments and may prevent the Funds from meeting their investment objectives. The percentage of Fund’s total assets that a Fund may invest in cash or cash equivalents is described in the applicable Fund’s Prospectuses. They include securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”) and instrumentalities, repurchase agreements with maturities of 7 days or less, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, money market mutual funds, and bank deposit accounts. In order to invest in repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for temporary defensive purposes, certain Funds may engage in periodic “test” trading in order to assess operational abilities at times when the Fund would otherwise not enter into such a position. These exercises may vary in size and frequency.
Inflation/Deflation Risk. The Funds may be subject to inflation and deflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the present value of assets or income from a Fund’s investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of a Fund’s assets can decline. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time. Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of a Fund’s assets.
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Infectious Disease Risk. The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 negatively affected economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world. The effects of this, or any future, pandemic to public health, and business and market conditions, including, among other things, reduced consumer demand and economic output, supply chain disruptions and increased government spending, may have a significant negative impact on the performance of a Fund’s investments, increase a Fund’s volatility and exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks to the Funds.
The impacts of epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect the economies of many nations, particular regions, or the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. The full extent of such impacts cannot necessarily be foreseen. The impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time, and may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. The value of a Fund and the securities in which a Fund invests may be adversely affected by impacts caused by epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future. The impact of an epidemic or pandemic may also negatively affect the liquidity of certain portfolio holdings of a Fund and may make it more difficult to value such holdings. Because epidemics and pandemics impact broad segments of businesses and populations at the same time or in close succession, often in unpredictable and significant ways, they create the risk that a Fund’s operations may be interrupted, which may have a significant negative impact on investment performance. Governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the instruments in which a Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could also have a significant negative impact on a Fund’s investment performance. The ultimate impact of any epidemic or pandemic and the extent to which the associated conditions and governmental responses impact a Fund will also depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, difficult to accurately predict and subject to frequent changes.
Mortgage-Related Securities
Mortgages (Directly Held). Mortgages are debt instruments secured by real property. Unlike mortgage-backed securities, which generally represent an interest in a pool of mortgages, direct investments in mortgages involve prepayment and credit risks of an individual issuer and real property. Consequently, these investments require different investment and credit analysis by a Fund’s Adviser.
Directly placed mortgages may include residential mortgages, multifamily mortgages, mortgages on cooperative apartment buildings, commercial mortgages, and sale-leasebacks. These investments are backed by assets such as office buildings, shopping centers, retail stores, warehouses, apartment buildings and single-family dwellings. In the event that a Fund forecloses on any non-performing mortgage, and acquires a direct interest in the real property, such Fund will be subject to the risks generally associated with the ownership of real property. There may be fluctuations in the market value of the foreclosed property and its occupancy rates, rent schedules and operating expenses. There may also be adverse changes in local, regional or general economic conditions, deterioration of the real estate market and the financial circumstances of tenants and sellers, unfavorable changes in zoning, building, environmental and other laws, increased real property taxes, rising interest rates, reduced availability and increased cost of mortgage borrowings, the need for unanticipated renovations, unexpected increases in the cost of energy, environmental factors, acts of God and other factors which are beyond the control of a Fund or the Adviser. Hazardous or toxic substances may be present on, at or under the mortgaged property and adversely affect the value of the property. In addition, the owners of property containing such substances may be held responsible, under various laws, for containing, monitoring, removing or cleaning up such substances. The presence of such substances may also provide a basis for other claims by third parties. Costs of clean up or of liabilities to third parties may exceed the value of the property. In addition, these risks may be uninsurable. In light of these and similar risks, it may be impossible to dispose profitably of properties in foreclosure.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which are securities that represent pools of mortgage loans assembled and/or securitized for sale to investors. MBS include mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). MBS may be arranged by various governmental agencies, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”); government sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”); and private issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, and private mortgage insurance companies.
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A mortgage pass-through security is a pro rata interest in a pool of mortgages where the cash flow generated from the mortgage collateral is passed through to the security holder after paying servicing and guarantee fees.
CMOs are debt securities that are fully collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or MBS, or re-securitized or reorganized MBS. Unlike mortgage pass-through securities, CMOs may be organized in a variety of different ways to create customized cash flows in different tranches and may offer certain protections against prepayment risk, such as creating more definite maturities. CMOs may pay fixed or variable rates of interest, and certain CMOs have priority over others with respect to the receipt of prepayments. CMOs may be structured as Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”) which are federally tax-exempt entities that may be organized as trusts, partnerships, corporations or other types of associations.
CMOs are also subject to cash flow uncertainty and price volatility. Stripped mortgage securities (a type of potentially high-risk CMO) are created by separating the interest and principal payments generated by a pool of MBS or a CMO to create additional classes of securities. CMOs are subject to principal prepayments on the underlying mortgages and, thus, may be retired earlier than scheduled.
MBS are subject to scheduled and unscheduled principal payments as homeowners pay down or prepay their mortgages. As these payments are received, they must be reinvested when interest rates may be higher or lower than on the original mortgage security. Therefore, these securities may not be an effective means of locking in long-term interest rates. In addition, when interest rates fall, the pace of mortgage prepayments increase, sometimes rapidly. These refinanced mortgages are paid off at face value (par), causing a loss for any investor who may have purchased the MBS at a price above par. In such an environment, this risk limits the potential price appreciation of these securities and can negatively affect a Fund’s NAV. When rates rise, the prices of mortgage-backed securities can be expected to decline, although historically these securities have experienced smaller price declines than comparable quality bonds. In addition, when rates rise and prepayments slow, the effective duration of MBS extends, resulting in increased volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying MBS and thereby adversely affect the ability of the MBS issuer to make principal payments to MBS holders.
MBS issued by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities may be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or may be guaranteed as to principal and interest payments. There are a number of important differences among the agencies, GSEs and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that issue MBS and among the securities that they issue.
Ginnie Mae Securities. MBS issued by Ginnie Mae include Ginnie Mae Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates and CMOs which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae’s guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned U.S. government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Mae certificates also are supported by the authority of Ginnie Mae to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Securities. MBS issued by Fannie Mae include Fannie Mae Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates which are solely the obligations of Fannie Mae and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored enterprise, which is chartered by Congress but owned by private shareholders. Fannie Mae Certificates are guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by Fannie Mae. MBS issued by Freddie Mac include Freddie Mac Mortgage Participation Certificates and CMOs. Like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac is a government-sponsored enterprise, which is chartered by Congress but owned by private shareholders. Freddie Mac Certificates are not guaranteed by the U.S. government and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the U.S. government. Freddie Mac Certificates entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When Freddie Mac does not guarantee timely payment of principal, Freddie Mac may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable.
For more information on recent events impacting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities, see “Recent Events Regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Securities” under the heading “Risk Factors of Mortgage-Related Securities” below.
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CMOs and guaranteed REMIC pass-through certificates (“REMIC Certificates”) issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and private issuers are types of multiple class pass-through securities. Investors may purchase beneficial interests in REMICs, which are known as “regular” interests or “residual” interests. The Funds do not currently intend to purchase residual interests in REMICs. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC Trust, generally consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates (the “Mortgage Assets”). The obligations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae under their respective guaranty of the REMIC Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, respectively.
Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates. Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.
Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest, and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates (“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified residential mortgages or participation therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of principal on certain PCs referred to as “Gold PCs.”
Ginnie Mae REMIC Certificates. Ginnie Mae guarantees the full and timely payment of interest and principal on each class of securities (in accordance with the terms of those classes as specified in the related offering circular supplement). The Ginnie Mae guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are treated as U.S. Government securities for purposes of investment policies.
CMOs and REMIC Certificates provide for the redistribution of cash flow to multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. This reallocation of interest and principal results in the redistribution of prepayment risk across different classes. This allows for the creation of bonds with more or less risk than the underlying collateral exhibits. Principal prepayments on the mortgage loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.
The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.
Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC Certificates include, among others, principal only structures, interest only structures, inverse floaters and “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Certain of these structures may be more volatile than other types of CMO and REMIC structures. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.
A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in the parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates which generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes of REMIC Certificates (the “PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of the certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC
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Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount of principal payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying Mortgage Assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than the PAC classes. The Z-Bonds in which the Funds may invest may bear the same non-credit-related risks as do other types of Z-Bonds. Z-Bonds in which the Fund may invest will not include residual interest.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for the definition of “investment company” provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
GSE Credit Risk Transfer Securities and GSE Credit-Linked Notes. GSE Credit risk transfer securities are notes issued directly by a GSE, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and GSE credit-linked notes are notes issued by a SPV sponsored by a GSE. Investors in these notes provide credit protection for the applicable GSE’s mortgage-related securities guarantee obligations. In this regard, a noteholder receives compensation for providing credit protection to the GSE and, when a specified level of losses on the relevant mortgage loans occurs, the principal balance and certain payments owed to the noteholder may be reduced. In addition, noteholders may receive a return of principal prior to the stated maturity date reflecting prepayment on the underlying mortgage loans and in any other circumstances that may be set forth in the applicable loan agreement. The notes may be issued in different tranches representing the issuance of different levels of credit risk protection to the GSE on the underlying mortgage loans and the notes are not secured by the reference mortgage loans. There are important differences between the structure of GSE credit risk transfer securities and GSE credit-linked notes.
GSE Credit Risk Transfer Securities Structure. In this structure, the GSE receives the note sale proceeds. The GSE pays noteholders monthly interest payments and a return of principal on the stated maturity date based on the initial investment amount, as reduced by any covered losses on the reference mortgage loans.
GSE Credit-Linked Notes Structure. In this structure, the SPV receives the note sale proceeds and the SPV’s obligations to the noteholder are collateralized by the note sale proceeds. The SPV invests the proceeds in cash or other short-term assets. The SPV also enters into a credit protection agreement with the GSE pursuant to which the GSE pays the SPV monthly premium payments and the SPV compensates the GSE for covered losses on the reference mortgage loans. The SPV pays noteholders monthly interest payments based on the premium payments paid by the GSE and the performance on the invested note sale proceeds. The noteholders also receive a return of principal on a stated maturity date based on the initial investment amount, as reduced by any covered losses on the reference mortgage loans paid by the SPV or the GSE.
Mortgage TBAs. A Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through securities eligible to be sold in the “to-be-announced” or TBA market (“Mortgage TBAs”). Mortgage TBAs provide for the forward or delayed delivery of the underlying instrument with settlement up to 180 days. The term TBA comes from the fact that the actual mortgage-backed security that will be delivered to fulfill a TBA trade is not designated at the time the trade is made, but rather is generally announced 48 hours before the settlement date. Mortgage TBAs are subject to the risks described in the “When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments” section. Additionally, amendments to applicable rules include certain mandatory margin requirements for the TBA market, which may require the Funds to pay collateral in connection with their TBA transactions. The required margin could increase the cost of the Funds and add additional complexity for Funds engaging in these transactions.
Mortgage Dollar Rolls. In a mortgage dollar roll transaction, one party sells mortgage-backed securities, principally Mortgage TBAs, for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. Economically offsetting TBA positions with the same agency, coupon, and maturity date, are generally permitted to be netted if the short position settles on the same date or before the long position. During the period between the sale and repurchase in a mortgage dollar roll transaction, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on securities sold. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the terms of the agreement. If the counterparty files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to repurchase or sell securities may be limited. Mortgage dollar rolls may be subject to leverage risks. In addition, mortgage
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dollar rolls may increase interest rate risk and result in an increased portfolio turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable gains. The benefits of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon a Fund’s Adviser’s ability to predict mortgage prepayments and interest rates. There is no assurance that mortgage dollar rolls can be successfully employed. For purposes of diversification and investment limitations, mortgage dollar rolls are considered to be mortgage-backed securities.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities (“SMBS”) are derivative multi-class mortgage securities issued outside the REMIC or CMO structure. SMBS may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities. SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving all of the interest from the mortgage assets (“IOs”), while the other class will receive all of the principal (“POs”). Mortgage IOs receive monthly interest payments based upon a notional amount that declines over time as a result of the normal monthly amortization and unscheduled prepayments of principal on the associated mortgage POs.
In addition to the risks applicable to Mortgage-Related Securities in general, SMBS are subject to the following additional risks:
Prepayment/Interest Rate Sensitivity. SMBS are extremely sensitive to changes in prepayments and interest rates. Even though these securities have been guaranteed by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government, under certain interest rate or prepayment rate scenarios, the Funds may lose money on investments in SMBS.
Interest Only SMBS. Changes in prepayment rates can cause the return on investment in IOs to be highly volatile. Under extremely high prepayment conditions, IOs can incur significant losses.
Principal Only SMBS. POs are bought at a discount to the ultimate principal repayment value. The rate of return on a PO will vary with prepayments, rising as prepayments increase and falling as prepayments decrease. Generally, the market value of these securities is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates.
Yield Characteristics. Although SMBS may yield more than other mortgage-backed securities, their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that any premium paid will not be fully recouped. A Fund’s Adviser will seek to manage these risks (and potential benefits) by investing in a variety of such securities and by using certain analytical and hedging techniques.
Privately Issued Mortgage-Related Securities. Non-government issuers, including commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers, also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Mortgage pools created by non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance of guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities or private insurers. Such insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness of the issuers thereof may be considered in determining whether a mortgage-related security meets a Fund’s investment quality standards. There can be no assurance that insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements.
Privately issued mortgage-related securities may not be subject to the same underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-related securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities may have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-related securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. Mortgage pools underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities may include second mortgages, high loan-to-value ratio mortgages where a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee is not available. The coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a privately-issued mortgage-related securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are
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loans made to borrowers with low credit ratings or other factors that increase the risk of default. For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities historically have had higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.
The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by loans that were originated under weak underwriting standards, including loans made to borrowers with limited means to make repayment. A level of risk exists for all loans, although, historically, the poorest performing loans have been those classified as subprime. Other types of privately issued mortgage-related securities, such as those classified as pay-option adjustable rate or Alt-A, at times, have also performed poorly. Even loans classified as prime may experience higher levels of delinquencies and defaults. A decline in real property values across the U.S. may exacerbate the level of losses that investors in privately issued mortgage-related securities have experienced. Market factors that may adversely affect mortgage loan repayment include adverse economic conditions, unemployment, a decline in the value of real property, or an increase in interest rates.
Privately issued mortgage-related securities are not traded on an exchange and there may be a limited market for these securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-related securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans.
The Funds may purchase privately issued mortgage-related securities that are originated, packaged and serviced by third party entities. Such third parties may have obligations to investors of mortgage-related securities under trust or other documents. For example, loan servicers may be liable to the holder of the mortgage-related securities for negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out their servicing duties. Similarly, loan originators/servicers may make certain representations and warranties regarding the quality of the mortgages and properties underlying a mortgage-related security, which if untrue, may trigger an obligation of the originator/service or its affiliates, as applicable, to repurchase the mortgages from the issuing trust. Although trust and other documents may include protective provisions, investors in certain mortgage-related securities have had limited success in enforcing terms or such agreements against such third parties. In addition, such third parties may have had interests that are in conflict with those holders of the mortgage-related.
For example, to the extent third party entities are involved in litigation relating to the securities, actions may be taken by such third parties that are adverse to the interest of the holders of the mortgage-related securities, including the Funds, such as withholding proceeds due to holders of the mortgage-related securities, to cover legal or related costs. Any such action could result in losses to the Funds.
In addition, certain mortgage-related securities, which may include loans that originally qualified under standards established by government-sponsored entities (for example, certain REMICs that include Fannie Mae mortgages), are not considered as government securities for purposes of a Fund’s investment strategies or policies and may be subject to the same risks as privately-issued mortgage-related securities. There is no government or government-sponsored guarantee for such privately issued investments.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans. Certain Funds may invest in adjustable rate mortgage loans (“ARMs”). ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool will generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time. Thereafter, the interest rates (the “Mortgage Interest Rates”) may be subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the applicable index rate (the “Index Rate”). The adjusted rate would be equal to the Index Rate plus a gross margin, which is a fixed percentage spread over the Index Rate established for each ARM at the time of its origination.
Adjustable interest rates can cause payment increases that some borrowers may find difficult to make. However, certain ARMs may provide that the Mortgage Interest Rate may not be adjusted to a rate above an applicable lifetime maximum rate or below an applicable lifetime minimum rate for such ARM. Certain ARMs may also be subject to limitations on the maximum amount by which the Mortgage Interest Rate may adjust for any single adjustment period (the “Maximum Adjustment”). Other ARMs (“Negatively Amortizing ARMs”) may provide instead or as well for limitations on changes in the monthly payment on such ARMs. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments which are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a Negatively Amortizing ARM by its maturity at the Mortgage Interest Rate in effect in any particular month. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on a Negatively Amortizing ARM, any such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the loan, causing negative amortization and will be repaid through future monthly payments. It may take borrowers under Negatively Amortizing ARMs longer periods of time to achieve equity and may increase the likelihood of default by such borrowers. In the event that a monthly payment exceeds the sum
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of the interest accrued at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate and the principal payment which would have been necessary to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess (or “accelerated amortization”) further reduces the principal balance of the ARM. Negatively Amortizing ARMs do not provide for the extension of their original maturity to accommodate changes in their Mortgage Interest Rate. As a result, unless there is a periodic recalculation of the payment amount (which there generally is), the final payment may be substantially larger than the other payments. These limitations on periodic increases in interest rates and on changes in monthly payments protect borrowers from unlimited interest rate and payment increases.
Certain ARMs may provide for periodic adjustments of scheduled payments in order to amortize fully the mortgage loan by its stated maturity. Other ARMs may permit their stated maturity to be extended or shortened in accordance with the portion of each payment that is applied to interest as affected by the periodic interest rate adjustments.
There are two main categories of indices which provide the basis for rate adjustments on ARMs: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury bill rates, the three-month Treasury bill rate, the 180-day Treasury bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year LIBOR, the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others, such as the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds index, tend to lag behind changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile. The degree of volatility in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio and therefore in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares will be a function of the length of the interest rate reset periods and the degree of volatility in the applicable indices.
In general, changes in both prepayment rates and interest rates will change the yield on Mortgage-Backed Securities. The rate of principal prepayments with respect to ARMs has fluctuated in recent years. As is the case with fixed mortgage loans, ARMs may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a declining interest rate environment. For example, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly, ARMs could be subject to higher prepayment rates than if prevailing interest rates remain constant because the availability of fixed rate mortgage loans at competitive interest rates may encourage mortgagors to refinance their ARMs to “lock-in” a lower fixed interest rate. Conversely, if prevailing interest rates rise significantly, ARMs may prepay at lower rates than if prevailing rates remain at or below those in effect at the time such ARMs were originated. As with fixed rate mortgages, there can be no certainty as to the rate of prepayments on the ARMs in either stable or changing interest rate environments. In addition, there can be no certainty as to whether increases in the principal balances of the ARMs due to the addition of deferred interest may result in a default rate higher than that on ARMs that do not provide for negative amortization.
Other factors affecting prepayment of ARMs include changes in mortgagors’ housing needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagors’ net equity in the mortgage properties and servicing decisions.
Risk Factors of Mortgage-Related Securities. The following is a summary of certain risks associated with Mortgage-Related Securities:
Guarantor Risk. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac if necessary in the future. Although certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not so secured.
Interest Rate Sensitivity. If a Fund purchases a mortgage-related security at a premium, that portion may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments in the underlying mortgage collateral. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. Although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the securities are prone to prepayment. For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related security’s stated maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return to the Fund. In addition, regular payments received in respect of mortgage-related securities include both interest and principal. No assurance can be given as to the return the Fund will receive when these amounts are reinvested.
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Liquidity. The liquidity of certain mortgage-backed securities varies by type of security; at certain times the Fund may encounter difficulty in disposing of such investments. In the past, in stressed markets, certain types of mortgage-backed securities suffered periods of illiquidity when disfavored by the market. It is possible that the Fund may be unable to sell a mortgage-backed security at a desirable time or at the value the Fund has placed on the investment.
Market Value. The market value of the Fund’s adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities may be adversely affected if interest rates increase faster than the rates of interest payable on such securities or by the adjustable rate mortgage loans underlying such securities. Furthermore, adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities or the mortgage loans underlying such securities may contain provisions limiting the amount by which rates may be adjusted upward and downward and may limit the amount by which monthly payments may be increased or decreased to accommodate upward and downward adjustments in interest rates. When the market value of the properties underlying the Mortgage-Backed Securities suffer broad declines on a regional or national level, the values of the corresponding Mortgage-Backed Securities or Mortgage-Backed Securities as a whole, may be adversely affected as well.
Prepayments. Adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities have less potential for capital appreciation than fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities because their coupon rates will decline in response to market interest rate declines. The market value of fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities may be adversely affected as a result of increases in interest rates and, because of the risk of unscheduled principal prepayments, may benefit less than other fixed rate securities of similar maturity from declining interest rates. Finally, to the extent Mortgage-Backed Securities are purchased at a premium, mortgage foreclosures and unscheduled principal prepayments may result in some loss of the Fund’s principal investment to the extent of the premium paid. On the other hand, if such securities are purchased at a discount, both a scheduled payment of principal and an unscheduled prepayment of principal will increase current and total returns and will accelerate the recognition of income.
Yield Characteristics. The yield characteristics of Mortgage-Backed Securities differ from those of traditional fixed income securities. The major differences typically include more frequent interest and principal payments, usually monthly, and the possibility that prepayments of principal may be made at any time. Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors and cannot be predicted with certainty. As with fixed rate mortgage loans, adjustable rate mortgage loans may be subject to a greater prepayment rate in a declining interest rate environment. The yields to maturity of the Mortgage-Backed Securities in which the Funds invest will be affected by the actual rate of payment (including prepayments) of principal of the underlying mortgage loans. The mortgage loans underlying such securities generally may be prepaid at any time without penalty. In a fluctuating interest rate environment, a predominant factor affecting the prepayment rate on a pool of mortgage loans is the difference between the interest rates on the mortgage loans and prevailing mortgage loan interest rates taking into account the cost of any refinancing. In general, if mortgage loan interest rates fall sufficiently below the interest rates on fixed rate mortgage loans underlying mortgage pass-through securities, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on the fixed rate mortgage loans underlying the mortgage pass-through securities, the rate of prepayment may be expected to decrease.
Recent Events Regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Securities. On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and of any stockholder, officer or director of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with respect to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the assets of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In connection with the conservatorship, the U.S. Treasury entered into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pursuant to which the U.S. Treasury agreed to purchase 1,000,000 shares of senior preferred stock with an initial liquidation preference of $1 billion and obtained warrants and options to for the purchase of common stock of each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Under the SPAs as currently amended, the U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide financial support to a GSE in any quarter in which the GSE has a net worth deficit as defined in the respective SPA. The SPAs contain various covenants that severely limit each enterprise’s operations.
The conditions attached to entering into the SPAs place significant restrictions on the activities of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae must obtain the consent of the U.S. Treasury to, among other things, (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond certain specified levels. Under a letter agreement entered into in January 2021, each enterprise is
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permitted to retain earnings and raise private capital to enable them to meet the minimum capital requirements under the FHFA’s Enterprise Regulatory Capital Framework (“ERCF”). The letter agreement also permits each enterprise to develop a plan to exit conservatorship, but may not do so until litigation involving the conservatorships is resolved and each enterprise has the minimum capital required by FHFA’s rules. In addition, significant restrictions are placed on the maximum size of each of Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s respective portfolios of mortgages and MBS, and the purchase agreements entered into by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the U.S. Treasury, market responses to developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any MBS guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including any such MBS held by a Fund.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The SPAs are intended to enhance each of Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s ability to meet its obligations. The FHFA has indicated that the conservatorship of each enterprise will end when the director of FHFA determines that FHFA’s plan to restore the enterprise to a safe and solvent condition has been completed. The FHFA’s 2022 report to Congress on the conservatorships noted that, under amendments to the ERCF, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac published their first capital disclosures in the first quarter of 2023 and delivered their first capital plans to FHFA in May 2023. Should Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be taken out of conservatorship, it is unclear whether the U.S. Treasury would continue to enforce its rights or perform its obligations under the SPAs. It is also unclear how the capital structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be constructed post-conservatorship, and what effects, if any, the privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have on their creditworthiness and guarantees of certain mortgage-backed securities. The ERCF requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, upon exit from conservatorship, to maintain higher levels of capital than prior to conservatorship to satisfy their risk-based capital requirements, leverage ratio requirements and prescribed buffer amounts. Accordingly, should the FHFA take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship, there could be an adverse impact on the value of their securities, which could cause a Fund’s investments to lose value.
Risks Related to GSE Credit Risk Transfer Securities and GSE Credit-Linked Notes. GSE Credit risk transfer securities are general obligations issued by a GSE and are unguaranteed and unsecured. GSE Credit-linked notes are similar, except that the notes are issued by an SPV, rather than by a GSE, and the obligations of the SPV are collateralized by the note proceeds as invested by the SPV, which are invested in cash or short-term securities. Although both GSE credit risk transfer securities and GSE credit-linked notes are unguaranteed, obligations of an SPV are also not backstopped by the Department of Treasury or an obligation of a GSE.
The risks associated with these investments are different than the risks associated with an investment in mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs or a private issuer. For example, in the event of a default on the obligations to noteholders, noteholders such as the Funds have no recourse to the underlying mortgage loans. In addition, some or all of the mortgage default risk associated with the underlying mortgage loans is transferred to noteholders. As a result, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur on an investment in GSE credit risk transfer securities or GSE credit-linked notes and Funds investing in these instruments may be exposed to the risk of loss on their investment. In addition, these investments are subject to prepayment risk.
In the case of GSE credit-linked notes, if a GSE fails to make a premium or other required payment to the SPV, the SPV may be unable to pay a noteholder the entire amount of interest or principal payable to the noteholder. In the event of a default on the obligations to noteholders, the SPV’s principal and interest payment obligations to noteholders will be subordinated to the SPV’s credit protection payment obligations to the GSE. Payment of such amounts to noteholders depends on the cash available in the trust from the loan proceeds and the GSE’s premium payments.
Any income earned by the SPV on investments of loan proceeds is expected to be less than the interest payments amounts to be paid to noteholders of the GSE credit-linked notes and interest payments to noteholders will be reduced if the GSE fails to make premium payments to the SPV. An SPV’s investment of loan proceeds may also be concentrated in the securities of a few number of issuers. A noteholder bears any investment losses on the allocable portion of the loan proceeds.
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An SPV that issues GSE credit-linked notes may fall within the definition of a “commodity pool” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Certain GSEs are not registered as commodity pool operators in reliance on CFTC no-action relief, subject to certain conditions similar to those under CFTC Rule 4.13(a)(3), which respect to the operation of the SPV. If the GSE or SPV fails to comply with such conditions, noteholders that are investment vehicles, such as the Funds, may need to register as a CPO, which could cause such a Fund to incur increased costs.
Municipal Securities
Municipal Securities are issued to obtain funds for a wide variety of reasons. For example, municipal securities may be issued to obtain funding for the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as:
1.
bridges;
2.
highways;
3.
roads;
4.
schools;
5.
waterworks and sewer systems; and
6.
other utilities.
Other public purposes for which Municipal Securities may be issued include:
1.
refunding outstanding obligations;
2.
obtaining funds for general operating expenses; and
3.
obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities.
In addition, certain debt obligations known as “Private Activity Bonds” may be issued by or on behalf of municipalities and public authorities to obtain funds to provide:
1.
water, sewage and solid waste facilities;
2.
qualified residential rental projects;
3.
certain local electric, gas and other heating or cooling facilities;
4.
qualified hazardous waste facilities;
5.
high-speed intercity rail facilities;
6.
governmentally-owned airports, docks and wharves and mass transportation facilities;
7.
qualified mortgages;
8.
student loan and redevelopment bonds; and
9.
bonds used for certain organizations exempt from Federal income taxation.
Certain debt obligations known as “Industrial Development Bonds” under prior Federal tax law may have been issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide:
1.
privately operated housing facilities;
2.
sports facilities;
3.
industrial parks;
4.
convention or trade show facilities;
5.
airport, mass transit, port or parking facilities;
6.
air or water pollution control facilities;
7.
sewage or solid waste disposal facilities; and
8.
facilities for water supply.
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Other private activity bonds and industrial development bonds issued to fund the construction, improvement, equipment or repair of privately-operated industrial, distribution, research, or commercial facilities may also be Municipal Securities, however the size of such issues is limited under current and prior Federal tax law. The aggregate amount of most private activity bonds and industrial development bonds is limited (except in the case of certain types of facilities) under Federal tax law by an annual “volume cap.” The volume cap limits the annual aggregate principal amount of such obligations issued by or on behalf of all governmental instrumentalities in the state.
The two principal classifications of Municipal Securities consist of “general obligation” and “limited” (or revenue) issues. General obligation bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from the issuer’s general unrestricted revenues and not from any particular fund or source. The characteristics and method of enforcement of general obligation bonds vary according to the law applicable to the particular issuer, and payment may be dependent upon appropriation by the issuer’s legislative body. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Private activity bonds and industrial development bonds generally are revenue bonds and thus not payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. The credit and quality of such bonds is generally related to the credit of the bank selected to provide the letter of credit underlying the bond. Payment of principal of and interest on industrial development revenue bonds is the responsibility of the corporate user (and any guarantor).
The Funds may also acquire “moral obligation” issues, which are normally issued by special purpose authorities, and in other tax-exempt investments including pollution control bonds and tax-exempt commercial paper. Each Fund that may purchase municipal bonds may purchase:
1.
Short-term tax-exempt General Obligations Notes;
2.
Tax Anticipation Notes;
3.
Bond Anticipation Notes;
4.
Revenue Anticipation Notes;
5.
Project Notes; and
6.
Other forms of short-term tax-exempt loans.
Such notes are issued with a short-term maturity in anticipation of the receipt of tax funds, the proceeds of bond placements, or other revenues. Project Notes are issued by a state or local housing agency and are sold by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While the issuing agency has the primary obligation with respect to its Project Notes, they are also secured by the full faith and credit of the U.S. through agreements with the issuing authority which provide that, if required, the Federal government will lend the issuer an amount equal to the principal of and interest on the Project Notes.
There are, of course, variations in the quality of Municipal Securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications. Also, the yields on Municipal Securities depend upon a variety of factors, including:
1.
general money market conditions;
2.
coupon rate;
3.
the financial condition of the issuer;
4.
general conditions of the municipal bond market;
5.
the size of a particular offering;
6.
the maturity of the obligations; and
7.
the rating of the issue.
The ratings of Moody’s and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of Municipal Securities. However, ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Municipal Securities with the same maturity, interest rate and rating may have different yields while Municipal Securities of the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield. Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an
Part II - 48
issue of Municipal Securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by the Fund. The Adviser will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the obligations.
Municipal Securities may include obligations of municipal housing authorities and single-family mortgage revenue bonds. Weaknesses in Federal housing subsidy programs and their administration may result in a decrease of subsidies available for payment of principal and interest on housing authority bonds. Economic developments, including fluctuations in interest rates and increasing construction and operating costs, may also adversely impact revenues of housing authorities. In the case of some housing authorities, inability to obtain additional financing could also reduce revenues available to pay existing obligations.
Single-family mortgage revenue bonds are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption at par in whole or in part from the proceeds derived from prepayments of underlying mortgage loans and also from the unused proceeds of the issue within a stated period which may be within a year from the date of issue.
Municipal leases are obligations issued by state and local governments or authorities to finance the acquisition of equipment and facilities. They may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase contract, a conditional sales contract, or a participation interest in any of the above.
Premium Securities. During a period of declining interest rates, many Municipal Securities in which the Funds invest likely will bear coupon rates higher than current market rates, regardless of whether the securities were initially purchased at a premium.
Risk Factors in Municipal Securities. The following is a summary of certain risks associated with Municipal Securities
Tax Risk. The Code imposes certain continuing requirements on issuers of tax-exempt bonds regarding the use, expenditure and investment of bond proceeds and the payment of rebates to the U.S. Failure by the issuer to comply subsequent to the issuance of tax-exempt bonds with certain of these requirements could cause interest on the bonds to become includable in gross income retroactive to the date of issuance.
Housing Authority Tax Risk. The exclusion from gross income for Federal income tax purposes for certain housing authority bonds depends on qualification under relevant provisions of the Code and on other provisions of Federal law. These provisions of Federal law contain requirements relating to the cost and location of the residences financed with the proceeds of the single-family mortgage bonds and the income levels of tenants of the rental projects financed with the proceeds of the multi-family housing bonds. Typically, the issuers of the bonds, and other parties, including the originators and servicers of the single-family mortgages and the owners of the rental projects financed with the multi-family housing bonds, covenant to meet these requirements. However, there is no assurance that the requirements will be met. If such requirements are not met:
•
the interest on the bonds may become taxable, possibly retroactively from the date of issuance;
•
the value of the bonds may be reduced;
•
you and other Shareholders may be subject to unanticipated tax liabilities;
•
a Fund may be required to sell the bonds at the reduced value;
•
it may be an event of default under the applicable mortgage;
•
the holder may be permitted to accelerate payment of the bond; and
•
the issuer may be required to redeem the bond.
In addition, if the mortgage securing the bonds is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), the consent of the FHA may be required before insurance proceeds would become payable.
Information Risk. Information about the financial condition of issuers of Municipal Securities may be less available than that of corporations having a class of securities registered under the SEC.
State and Federal Laws. An issuer’s obligations under its Municipal Securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. These laws may extend the time for payment of principal or interest, or restrict the Fund’s ability to collect payments due on Municipal Securities. In addition, recent amendments to some statutes governing security interests (e.g., Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”)) change the way in which
Part II - 49
security interests and liens securing Municipal Securities are perfected. These amendments may have an adverse impact on existing Municipal Securities (particularly issues of Municipal Securities that do not have a corporate trustee who is responsible for filing UCC financing statements to continue the security interest or lien).
Litigation and Current Developments. Litigation or other conditions may materially and adversely affect the power or ability of an issuer to meet its obligations for the payment of interest on and principal of its Municipal Securities. Such litigation or conditions may from time to time have the effect of introducing uncertainties in the market for tax-exempt obligations, or may materially affect the credit risk with respect to particular bonds or notes. Adverse economic, business, legal or political developments might affect all or a substantial portion of a Fund’s Municipal Securities in the same manner. Given the recent bankruptcy-type proceedings by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, risks associated with municipal obligations are heightened.
New Legislation. From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for interest on tax exempt bonds, and similar proposals may be introduced in the future. The Supreme Court has held that Congress has the constitutional authority to enact such legislation. It is not possible to determine what effect the adoption of such proposals could have on (i) the availability of Municipal Securities for investment by the Funds, and (ii) the value of the investment portfolios of the Funds.
Limitations on the Use of Municipal Securities. Certain Funds may invest in Municipal Securities if the Adviser determines that such Municipal Securities offer attractive yields. The Funds may invest in Municipal Securities either by purchasing them directly or by purchasing certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing direct ownership of interest payments or principal payments, or both, on Municipal Securities, provided that, in the opinion of counsel to the initial seller of each such certificate or instrument, any discount accruing on such certificate or instrument that is purchased at a yield not greater than the coupon rate of interest on the related Municipal Securities will to the same extent as interest on such Municipal Securities be exempt from federal income tax and state income tax (where applicable) and not be treated as a preference item for individuals for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax. The Funds may also invest in Municipal Securities by purchasing from banks participation interests in all or part of specific holdings of Municipal Securities. Such participation interests may be backed in whole or in part by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of the selling bank. The selling bank may receive a fee from a Fund in connection with the arrangement. Each Fund will limit its investment in municipal leases to no more than 5% of its total assets.
Options and Futures Transactions
A Fund may purchase and sell (a) exchange traded and OTC put and call options on securities, on indexes of securities and other types of instruments, and on futures contracts on securities and indexes of securities and other instruments such as interest rate futures and global interest rate futures and (b) futures contracts on securities and other types of instruments and on indexes of securities and other types of instruments. Each of these instruments is a derivative instrument as its value derives from the underlying asset or index.
Subject to its investment objective and policies, a Fund may use futures contracts and options for hedging and risk management purposes and to seek to enhance portfolio performance.
Options and futures contracts may be used to manage a Fund’s exposure to changing interest rates and/or security prices. Some options and futures strategies, including selling futures contracts and buying puts, tend to hedge a Fund’s investments against price fluctuations. Other strategies, including buying futures contracts and buying calls, tend to increase market exposure. Options and futures contracts may be combined with each other or with forward contracts in order to adjust the risk and return characteristics of a Fund’s overall strategy in a manner deemed appropriate by the Fund’s Adviser and consistent with the Fund’s objective and policies. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
The use of options and futures is a highly specialized activity which involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions, and there can be no guarantee that their use will increase a Fund’s return. While the use of these instruments by a Fund may reduce certain risks associated with owning its portfolio securities, these techniques themselves entail certain other risks. If a Fund’s Adviser applies a strategy at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions or trends incorrectly, options and futures strategies may lower a Fund’s return. Certain strategies limit a Fund’s possibilities to realize gains, as well as its exposure to losses. A Fund could also experience
Part II - 50
losses if the prices of its options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid secondary market. In addition, the Fund will incur transaction costs, including trading commissions and option premiums, in connection with its futures and options transactions, and these transactions could significantly increase the Fund’s turnover rate.
Certain Funds are operated by a person that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act. Certain other Funds may rely on no action relief issued by the CFTC. For Funds that cannot rely on an exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator, or no action relief from the CFTC, the Adviser is subject to regulation as a commodity pool operator.
Purchasing Put and Call Options. By purchasing a put option, a Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the instrument underlying the option at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, a Fund pays the current market price for the option (known as the option premium). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific securities, indexes of securities, indexes of securities prices, and futures contracts. A Fund may terminate its position in a put option it has purchased by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. A Fund may also close out a put option position by entering into an offsetting transaction, if a liquid market exists. If the option is allowed to expire, a Fund will lose the entire premium it paid. If a Fund exercises a put option on a security, it will sell the instrument underlying the option at the strike price. If a Fund exercises an option on an index, settlement is in cash and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. If an option is American style, it may be exercised on any day up to its expiration date. A European style option may be exercised only on its expiration date.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if the value of the underlying instrument falls substantially. However, if the price of the instrument underlying the option does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium paid, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the instrument underlying the option at the option’s strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in potential price increases of the instrument underlying the option with risk limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
Selling (Writing) Put and Call Options on Securities. When a Fund writes a put option on a security, it takes the opposite side of the transaction from the option’s purchaser. In return for the receipt of the premium, a Fund assumes the obligation to pay the strike price for the security underlying the option if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. A Fund may seek to terminate its position in a put option it writes before exercise by purchasing an offsetting option in the market at its current price. If the market is not liquid for a put option a Fund has written, however, it must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes, and must continue to post margin as discussed below. If the market value of the underlying securities does not move to a level that would make exercise of the option profitable to its holder, the option will generally expire unexercised, and the Fund will realize as profit the premium it received.
If the price of the underlying securities rises, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing and holding the underlying security directly, however, because the premium received for writing the option should offset a portion of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates a Fund to sell or deliver the option’s underlying security in return for the strike price upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium a call writer offsets part of the effect of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
Part II - 51
When a Fund writes an exchange traded put or call option on a security, it will be required to deposit cash or securities or a letter of credit as margin and to make mark to market payments of variation margin as the position becomes unprofitable.
Certain Funds will usually sell covered call options or cash-secured put options on securities. A call option is covered if the writer either owns the underlying security (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of the securities exchanges) or has the right to acquire such securities. Alternatively, for risk management purposes, a Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets (i) in an amount equal to the Fund’s obligation under the contract with respect to call options or (ii) an amount greater of the market value of the instrument underlying the option or the strike price of the contract with respect to call options. A call option is also covered if a Fund (i) acquires a call option on the same security with a strike price equal to or lower than the strike price of the written call or (ii) acquires a call option on the same security with a strike price higher than the strike price of the written call and segregates liquid assets in an amount equal to the difference between the strike price of the two options. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund foregoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the Fund writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation, but may terminate its position by entering into an offsetting option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect an offsetting transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.
A put option is cash-secured if the writer segregates cash, high-grade short-term debt obligations, or other permissible collateral equity to the exercise price. Alternatively, a put option is covered if a Fund (i) acquires a put option on the same security with a strike price equal to or higher than the strike price of written put or (ii) acquires a put option on the same security with a strike price lower than the strike price of the written put and segregates liquid assets in the amount equal to the difference between the strike price of the two options. When the Fund writes cash-secured put options, it bears the risk of loss if the value of the underlying stock declines below the exercise price minus the put premium. If the option is exercised, the Fund could incur a loss if it is required to purchase the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the market price of the stock at the time of exercise plus the put premium the Fund received when it wrote the option. While the Fund’s potential gain in writing a cash-secured put option is limited to distributions earned on the liquid assets securing the put option plus the premium received from the purchaser of the put option, the Fund risks a loss equal to the entire exercise price of the option minus the put premium.
Engaging in Straddles and Spreads. In a straddle transaction, a Fund either buys a call and a put or sells a call and a put on the same security. In a spread, a Fund purchases and sells a call or a put. A Fund will sell a straddle when the Fund’s Adviser believes the price of a security will be stable. The Fund will receive a premium on the sale of the put and the call. A spread permits a Fund to make a hedged investment that the price of a security will increase or decline.
Options on ETFs and Indexes. Certain Funds may purchase and sell options on securities indexes and other types of indexes. Options on indexes are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of index options may be settled by cash payments (or in some instances by a futures contract) and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities or the instruments in the index. In addition, these options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or instruments or segment of the securities’ or instruments’ market rather than price fluctuations in a single security or instrument. Certain Funds may also purchase and sell options on passively managed ETFs.
The value of a Fund’s options on an underlying ETF or index will fluctuate with changes in the value of the underlying ETF or index, and the value of the underlying ETF or index (the share price, in the case of an ETF, or the cash value of the level of an index) in turn will fluctuate with changes in the market values of the securities held by or included in the underlying ETF or index. The value of options is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the securities held by the underlying ETFs or represented in the index underlying the option, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the underlying ETFs or the index and the remaining time to the options' expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market.
A Fund, in purchasing or selling index options, is subject to the risk that the value of its portfolio may not change as much as an index because a Fund’s investments generally will not match the composition of an index. Additionally, each of the options exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities, can
Part II - 52
establish limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same underlying ETF or index that may be purchased or written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). As such, the number of options any single Fund can purchase or write may be affected by options already purchased or written by other Funds. Under such limitations, option positions of all investment companies advised by the Adviser may be combined for purposes of these limits, and an exchange may order the liquidation of positions or may impose other sanctions or restrictions. Unlike options on securities, index options are cash settled, or settled with a futures contract in some instances, rather than settled by delivery of the underlying index securities or instruments.
Certain Funds purchase and sell credit options which are options on indexes of derivative instruments such as credit default swap indexes. Like other index options, credit options can be cash settled or settled with a futures contract in some instances. In addition, credit options can also be settled in some instances by delivery of the underlying index instrument. Credit options may be used for a variety of purposes including hedging, risk management such as positioning a portfolio for anticipated volatility or increasing income or gain to a Fund. There is no guarantee that the strategy of using options on indexes or credit options in particular will be successful. A Fund also risks losing all or part of the cash paid for purchasing put options. Unusual market conditions or the lack of a ready market for any particular option at a specific time may reduce the effectiveness of a Fund’s option strategies, and for these and other reasons, a Fund’s option strategies may not reduce a Fund’s volatility to the extent desired and could result in losses.
For a number of reasons, if a liquid secondary market does not exist, it might not be possible to effect a closing transaction with respect to a particular option a Fund has previously entered into. When a Fund purchases an OTC option (as defined below), it will be relying on its counterparty to perform its obligations and the Fund may incur additional losses if the counterparty is unable to perform.
Exchange-Traded and OTC Options. All options purchased or sold by a Fund will be traded on a securities exchange or will be purchased or sold by securities dealers (“OTC options”) that meet the Fund’s creditworthiness standards. While exchange-traded options are obligations of the Options Clearing Corporation, in the case of OTC options, a Fund relies on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option is exercised. Thus, when a Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the dealer from which it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying securities. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by a Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction. Accordingly, these OTC options are subject to heightened credit risk, as well as liquidity and valuation risk depending upon the type of OTC options in which the Fund invests.
Futures Contracts. When a Fund purchases a futures contract, it agrees to purchase a specified quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified future date or, in the case of an index futures contract, to make a cash payment based on the value of a securities index. When a Fund sells a futures contract, it agrees to sell a specified quantity of the underlying instrument at a specified future date or, in the case of an index futures contract, to receive a cash payment based on the value of a securities index. The price at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when a Fund enters into the contract. Futures can be held until their delivery dates or the position can be (and normally is) closed out before then. There is no assurance, however, that a liquid market will exist when the Fund wishes to close out a particular position.
When a Fund purchases a futures contract, the value of the futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of its underlying instrument. Therefore, purchasing futures contracts will tend to increase a Fund’s exposure to positive and negative price fluctuations in the underlying instrument, much as if it had purchased the underlying instrument directly. When a Fund sells a futures contract, by contrast, the value of its futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to the value of the underlying instrument. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the underlying instrument had been sold.
The purchaser or seller of a futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument unless the contract is held until the delivery date. However, when a Fund buys or sells a futures contract, it will be required to deposit “initial margin” with a futures commission merchant (“FCM”). Initial margin deposits are typically equal to a small percentage of the contract’s value. If the value of either party’s position declines, that party will be required to make additional “variation margin” payments equal to the change in value on a daily basis.
The party that has a gain may be entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. A Fund may be obligated to make payments of variation margin at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. Furthermore, it may not always be possible for a Fund to close out its futures positions. Until it closes out a
Part II - 53
futures position, a Fund will be obligated to continue to pay variation margin. Initial and variation margin payments do not constitute purchasing on margin for purposes of a Fund’s investment restrictions. In the event of the bankruptcy of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of a Fund, the Fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.
The Funds only invest in futures contracts on securities to the extent they could invest in the underlying securities directly. Certain Funds may also invest in index futures where the underlying securities or instruments are not available for direct investments by the Funds.
Cash Equitization. The objective where equity futures are used to “equitize” cash is to match the notional value of all futures contracts to a Fund’s cash balance. The notional values of the futures contracts and of the cash are monitored daily. As the cash is invested in securities and/or paid out to participants in redemptions, the Adviser simultaneously adjusts the futures positions. Through such procedures, a Fund not only gains equity exposure from the use of futures, but also benefits from increased flexibility in responding to client cash flow needs. Additionally, because it can be less expensive to trade a list of securities as a package or program trade rather than as a group of individual orders, futures provide a means through which transaction costs can be reduced. Such non-hedging risk management techniques involve leverage, and thus present, as do all leveraged transactions, the possibility of losses as well as gains that are greater than if these techniques involved the purchase and sale of the securities themselves rather than their synthetic derivatives.
Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts obligate the buyer to take and the seller to make delivery at a future date of a specified quantity of a financial instrument or an amount of cash based on the value of a securities or other index. Currently, futures contracts are available on various types of securities, including but not limited to U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and bills, Eurodollar certificates of deposit and on indexes of securities. Unlike a futures contract, which requires the parties to buy and sell a security or make a cash settlement payment based on changes in a financial instrument or securities or other index on an agreed date, an option on a futures contract entitles its holder to decide on or before a future date whether to enter into such a contract. If the holder decides not to exercise its option, the holder may close out the option position by entering into an offsetting transaction or may decide to let the option expire and forfeit the premium thereon. The purchaser of an option on a futures contract pays a premium for the option but makes no initial margin payments or daily payments of cash in the nature of “variation margin” payments to reflect the change in the value of the underlying contract as does a purchaser or seller of a futures contract. The seller of an option on a futures contract receives the premium paid by the purchaser and may be required to pay initial margin.
Combined Positions. Certain Funds may purchase and write options in combination with futures or forward contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, a Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
Correlation of Price Changes. Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options and futures contracts, it is likely that the standardized options and futures contracts available will not match a Fund’s current or anticipated investments exactly. A Fund may invest in futures and options contracts based on securities or instruments with different issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in which it typically invests, which involves a risk that the options or futures position will not track the performance of a Fund’s other investments.
Options and futures contracts prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match the Fund’s investments well. Options and futures contracts prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. A Fund may purchase or sell options and futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility
Part II - 54
between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a Fund’s options or futures positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by gains in other investments.
Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts. There is no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular option or futures contract at any particular time even if the contract is traded on an exchange. In addition, exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options and futures contracts and may halt trading if a contract’s price moves up or down more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible for a Fund to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and could potentially require a Fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a Fund’s access to other assets posted as margin for its options or futures positions could also be impaired. (See “Exchange-Traded and OTC Options” above for a discussion of the liquidity of options not traded on an exchange.)
Foreign Investment Risk. Certain Funds may buy and sell options on interest rate futures including global interest rate futures in which the reference interest rate is tied to currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Such investments are subject to additional risks including the risks associated with foreign investment and currency risk. See “Foreign Investments (including Foreign Currencies)” in this SAI Part II.
Position Limits. Futures exchanges can limit the number of futures and options on futures contracts that can be held or controlled by an entity. If an adequate exemption cannot be obtained, a Fund or the Fund’s Adviser may be required to reduce the size of its futures and options positions or may not be able to trade a certain futures or options contract in order to avoid exceeding such limits.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)
Certain of the Funds may invest in equity interests or debt obligations issued by REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interest. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling property that has appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Similar to investment companies, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs in which a Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by a Fund.
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills and on cash flows, are not diversified, and are subject to default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investment in such loans will gradually align themselves to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Investment in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. These risks include:
•
limited financial resources;
•
infrequent or limited trading; and
•
more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities.
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In addition, small capitalization stocks, such as certain REITs, historically have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500® Index.
Recent Events Relating to the Overall Economy
The U.S. Government, the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, the SEC, the FDIC and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken actions to address the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the recent disruption to economies and markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions included, in part, the enactment by the United States Congress of the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,” which was signed into law on July 21, 2010 and imposed a new regulatory framework over the U.S. financial services industry and the consumer credit markets in general, and proposed and final regulations by the SEC. Given the broad scope, sweeping nature, and relatively recent enactment of some of these regulatory measures, the potential impact they could have on securities held by the Funds is unknown. There can be no assurance that these measures will not have an adverse effect on the value or marketability of securities held by the Funds. Furthermore, no assurance can be made that the U.S. Government or any U.S. regulatory body (or other authority or regulatory body) will not continue to take further legislative or regulatory action, and the effect of such actions, if taken, cannot be known. However, current efforts by the U.S. Government to reduce the impact of regulations on the U.S. financial services industry could lead to the repeal of certain elements of the regulatory framework.
Additionally, COVID-19 has resulted in a global pandemic and major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some interest rates are very low and in some cases yields are negative. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. Governments and central banks, including the Federal Reserve in the U.S., have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. The impact of these measures, and whether they will be effective to mitigate the economic and market disruption, will not be known for some time.
Derivatives
Under the SEC rule related to the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by registered investment companies. A Fund’s trading of derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations is subject to a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit and certain derivatives risk management program and reporting requirements. Generally, these requirements apply unless a Fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in the rule. Under the rule, when a Fund trades reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions, including certain tender option bonds, it needs to aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with the reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the Fund’s asset coverage ratio or treat all such transactions as derivatives transactions. In addition, under the rule, a Fund is permitted to invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security under the 1940 Act, provided that (i) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date (the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”). A Fund may otherwise engage in such transactions that do not meet the conditions of the Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision so long as the Fund treats any such transaction as a “derivatives transaction” for purposes of compliance with the rule. Furthermore, under the rule, a Fund will be permitted to enter into an unfunded commitment agreement, and such unfunded commitment agreement will not be subject to the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act, if the Fund reasonably believes, at the time it enters into such agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all such agreements as they come due. These requirements may limit the ability of a Fund to use derivatives and reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as part of its investment strategies. These requirements may increase the cost of a Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors.
A Fund's derivatives and other similar instruments (collectively referred to hereinafter in this section as "derivatives") have risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets of the applicable Fund, which creates the possibility that the loss on such instruments
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may be greater than the gain in the value of the underlying assets in the Fund’s portfolio; the loss of principal; the possible default of the other party to the transaction; and illiquidity of the derivative investments. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the applicable Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. Counterparty risk also includes the risks of having concentrated exposure to a counterparty. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of a counterparty to a derivative transaction, the derivative contract would typically be terminated at its fair market value. If a Fund is owed this fair market value in the termination of the derivative contract and its claim is unsecured, the Fund will be treated as a general creditor of such counterparty, and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying security. Using derivatives is also subject to operational and legal risks. Operational risk generally includes documentation or settlement issues, system failures, inadequate controls and human error. Legal risk generally includes the risk of loss resulting from insufficient or unenforceable contractual documentation or insufficient capacity or authority of a Fund’s counterparty.
The counterparty risk for cleared derivative transactions is generally lower than for uncleared over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives because generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative contract and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to a Fund.
Certain of the derivatives in which a Fund may invest may, in certain circumstances, give rise to a form of financial leverage, which may magnify the Fund's gains and losses and the risk of owning such instruments. Like most other investments, derivatives are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a Fund's interest. The ability to successfully use derivative investments depends on the ability of the Adviser to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. In addition, amounts paid by the Fund as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to the Fund’s derivatives would not be available to the Fund for other investment purposes, which may result in lost opportunities for gain.
The use of derivatives may also subject a Fund to liquidity risk which generally refers to risk involving the liquidity demands that derivatives can create to make payments of margin, collateral, or settlement payments to counterparties. Liquidity risk also refers to the risk that a Fund may be required to hold additional cash or sell other investments in order to obtain cash to close out derivatives or meet the liquidity demands noted above. A Fund may have to sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price to meet such obligations.
A Fund may use derivatives for various purposes, including to gain targeted security exposure from its cash position, to hedge various investments, for risk management and to opportunistically enhance the Fund’s returns. Under certain market conditions, a Fund’s use of derivatives for cash management or other investment management purposes could be significant.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements may be entered into with brokers, dealers or banks or other entities that meet the Adviser’s credit guidelines. A Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and securities dealers or other entities believed by the Adviser to be creditworthy. The Adviser may consider the collateral received and any applicable guarantees in making its determination. In a repurchase agreement, a Fund buys a security from a seller that has agreed to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The resale price normally is in excess of the purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon interest rate. This interest rate is effective for the period of time a Fund is invested in the agreement and is not related to the coupon rate on the underlying security. A repurchase agreement may also be viewed as a fully collateralized loan of money by a Fund to the seller. The maximum maturity permitted for a non-“putable” repurchase agreement will be (i) 95 days for a Money Market Fund for certain counterparties and 45 days for others and (ii) 190 days for any Fund that is not a Money Market Fund. The maximum notice period permitted for a “putable” or “open” repurchase agreement (i.e., where the Fund has a right to put the repurchase agreement to the counterparty or terminate the transaction at par plus accrued interest at a specified notice period) will be (i) 95 days for a Money Market Fund for certain counterparties and 45 days for others and (ii) 190 days for any Fund that is not a Money Market Fund. The securities which are subject to repurchase agreements, however, may have maturity dates in excess of 190 days from the effective date of the repurchase agreement. In addition, the maturity of a “putable” or “open” repurchase agreement may be in excess of 190 days. A Fund will
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always receive securities as collateral during the term of the agreement whose market value is at least equal to 100% of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each agreement plus accrued interest. The repurchase agreements further authorize the Fund to demand additional collateral in the event that the dollar value of the collateral falls below 100%. A Fund will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or upon evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the custodian. Repurchase agreements are considered under the 1940 Act to be loans collateralized by the underlying securities.
All of the Funds that are permitted to invest in repurchase agreements may engage in repurchase agreement transactions that are collateralized fully as defined in Rule 5b-3(c)(1) of the 1940 Act (except that Rule 5b-3(c)(1)(iv)(C) under the 1940 Act shall not apply for the Money Market Funds), which has the effect of enabling a Fund to look to the collateral, rather than the counterparty, for determining whether its assets are “diversified” for 1940 Act purposes. With respect to the Money Market Funds, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser evaluates the creditworthiness of each counterparty. The Adviser may consider the collateral received and any applicable guarantees in making its determination. Certain Funds may, in addition, engage in repurchase agreement transactions that are collateralized by money market instruments, debt securities, loan participations, equity securities or other securities including securities that are rated below investment grade by the requisite NRSROs or unrated securities of comparable quality. For these types of repurchase agreement transactions, the Fund would look to the counterparty, and not the collateral, for determining such diversification.
A repurchase agreement is subject to the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. In the event of default by the seller under a repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying securities would not be owned by the Fund, but would only constitute collateral for the seller’s obligation to pay the repurchase price. Therefore, a Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs in connection with the disposition of the collateral. The collateral underlying repurchase agreements may be more susceptible to claims of the seller’s creditors than would be the case with securities owned by the Fund.
Under existing guidance from the SEC, certain Funds may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint account, along with cash of other Funds and certain other accounts. These balances may be invested in one or more repurchase agreements and/or short-term money market instruments.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
In a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells a security and agrees to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed upon date and price reflecting the interest rate effective for the term of the agreement. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a reverse repurchase agreement is considered borrowing by a Fund and, therefore, a form of leverage. Leverage may cause any gains or losses for a Fund to be magnified. The Funds will invest the proceeds of borrowings under reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, except for liquidity purposes, a Fund will enter into a reverse repurchase agreement only when the expected return from the investment of the proceeds is greater than the expense of the transaction. A Fund will not invest the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement for a period which exceeds the duration of the reverse repurchase agreement. A Fund would be required to pay interest on amounts obtained through reverse repurchase agreements, which are considered borrowings under federal securities laws. The repurchase price is generally equal to the original sales price plus interest. Reverse repurchase agreements are usually for seven days or less and cannot be repaid prior to their expiration dates. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the portfolio securities transferred may decline below the price at which a Fund is obliged to purchase the securities.
Securities Lending
The following will apply to certain Funds if and when approved by the Board. This SAI will not be updated to reflect any such Board approval.
To generate additional income, certain Funds may lend up to 33 1∕3% of such Fund’s total assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by collateral equal to at least 100% of the market value plus accrued interest on the securities lent. The Funds use Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”) as their securities lending agent. Pursuant to a Third Party Securities Lending Rider to the Custody Agreement between JPMorgan Chase Bank, Citibank and the Funds (the “Third Party Securities Lending Rider”) approved by the Board of Trustees, Citibank compensates JPMorgan Chase Bank for certain custodial services provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank in connection with the Funds’ use of Citibank as securities lending agent.
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Pursuant to the Global Securities Lending Agency Agreement approved by the Board of Trustees between Citibank and the Trust on behalf of the applicable Funds, severally and not jointly (the “Securities Lending Agency Agreement”), collateral for loans will consist only of cash. The Funds receive payments from the borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on the securities lent. For loans secured by cash, the Funds seek to earn interest on the investment of cash collateral in investments permitted by the Securities Lending Agency Agreement. Under the Securities Lending Agency Agreement, cash collateral may be invested in IM Shares of JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, and Class Agency SL Shares of the JPMorgan Securities Lending Money Market Fund.
Under the Securities Lending Agency Agreement, Citibank marks to market the loaned securities on a daily basis. In the event the cash received from the borrower is less than 102% of the value of the loaned securities (105% for non-U.S. securities), Citibank requests additional cash from the borrower so as to maintain a collateralization level of at least 102% of the value of the loaned securities plus accrued interest (105% for non-U.S. securities) subject to certain de minimis amounts. Loans are subject to termination by a Fund or the borrower at any time, and are therefore not considered to be illiquid investments. A Fund does not have the right to vote proxies for securities on loans over a record date of such proxies. However, if the Fund’s Adviser has notice of the proxy in advance of the record date, a Fund’s Adviser may terminate a loan in advance of the record date if the Fund’s Adviser determines the vote is considered material with respect to an investment such as when the Fund’s Adviser believes that its participation in the vote is necessary to preserve the long-term value of the Fund’s investment or in highly contested issues for which the Fund’s Adviser believes its vote is important to the Fund’s strategy. In determining whether a vote is material, the Adviser’s determination is informed by its responsibility to act in a Fund’s best interests. In most cases, the Adviser anticipates that the potential long-term value to a Fund of voting shares would not be material and would therefore not justify forgoing the potential revenue the loan may provide the Fund. This may result in proxies being voted by the borrower of the security in a way that would be contrary with how the Fund’s Adviser would vote if the security had not been lent including for certain Funds that have strategies to invest in companies that the Fund’s Adviser believes are sustainable leaders based on the Fund’s Adviser’s sustainability criteria or that meet certain other ESG criteria. However, in certain instances, the Adviser may determine, in its independent business judgment, that the value of voting outweighs the securities lending revenue loss to a Fund and would therefore recall shares to be voted in those instances. 
Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may not be returned or returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased when a Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. The earnings on the collateral invested may not be sufficient to pay fees incurred in connection with the loan. Also, the principal value of the collateral invested may decline and may not be sufficient to pay back the borrower for the amount of collateral posted. There are no limits on the number of borrowers a Fund may use and a Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. In addition, loans may be made to affiliates of Citibank. Funds participating in securities lending bear the risk of loss in connection with investments of the cash collateral received from the borrowers, which do not trigger additional collateral requirements from the borrower.
To the extent that the value or return of a Fund’s investments of the cash collateral declines below the amount owed to a borrower, the Fund may incur losses that exceed the amount it earned on lending the security. In situations where the Adviser does not believe that it is prudent to sell the cash collateral investments in the market, a Fund may borrow money to repay the borrower the amount of cash collateral owed to the borrower upon return of the loaned securities. This will result in financial leverage, which may cause the Fund to be more volatile because financial leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
Short Selling
In short selling transactions, a Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. To complete the transaction, a Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. A Fund is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it subsequently at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by a Fund, which may result in a loss or gain, respectively. Unlike taking a long position in a security by purchasing the security, where potential losses are limited to the purchase price, short sales have no cap on maximum losses, and gains are limited to the price of the security at the time of the short sale.
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Short sales of forward commitments and derivatives do not involve borrowing a security. These types of short sales may include futures, options, contracts for differences, forward contracts on financial instruments and options such as contracts, credit linked instruments, and swap contracts.
A Fund may not always be able to borrow a security it wants to sell short. A Fund also may be unable to close out an established short position at an acceptable price and may have to sell long positions at disadvantageous times to cover its short positions. The value of your investment in a Fund will fluctuate in response to movements in the market. Fund performance also will depend on the effectiveness of the Adviser’s research and the management team’s investment decisions. The SEC and financial industry regulatory authorities in other countries may impose prohibitions, restrictions or other regulatory requirements on short sales, which could inhibit the ability of the Adviser to sell securities short on behalf of the Fund. For example, in September 2008, in response to spreading turmoil in the financial markets, the SEC temporarily banned short selling in the stocks of numerous financial services companies, and also promulgated new disclosure requirements with respect to short positions held by investment managers. The SEC’s temporary ban on short selling of such stocks has since expired, but should similar restrictions and/or additional disclosure requirements be promulgated, especially if market turmoil occurs, a Fund may be forced to cover short positions more quickly than otherwise intended and may suffer losses as a result. Such restrictions may also adversely affect the ability of a Fund (especially if a Fund utilizes short selling as a significant portion of its investment strategy) to execute its investment strategies generally.
Short sales also involve other costs. A Fund must repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest that accrues while the loan is outstanding. To borrow the security, a Fund may be required to pay a premium. A Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting short sales. The amount of any ultimate gain for a Fund resulting from a short sale will be decreased and the amount of any ultimate loss will be increased by the amount of premiums, interest or expenses a Fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Realized gains from short sales are typically treated as short-term gains/losses.
Certain of a Fund’s service providers may have agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to limit the Fund’s operating expenses in the amount and for the time period specified in the Fund’s prospectuses. The expense limitation does not include certain expenses including, to the extent indicated in the Fund’s prospectuses, dividend and interest expense on short sales. In calculating the interest expense on short sales for purposes of this exclusion, the Fund will recognize all economic elements of interest costs, including premium and discount adjustments.
Short-Term Funding Agreements
Short-term funding agreements issued by insurance companies are sometimes referred to as Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”), while those issued by banks are referred to as Bank Investment Contracts (“BICs”). Pursuant to such agreements, a Fund makes cash contributions to a deposit account at a bank or insurance company. The bank or insurance company then credits to the Fund on a monthly basis guaranteed interest at either a fixed, variable or floating rate. These contracts are general obligations of the issuing bank or insurance company (although they may be the obligations of an insurance company separate account) and are paid from the general assets of the issuing entity.
Generally, there is no active secondary market in short-term funding agreements. Therefore, short-term funding agreements may be considered by a Fund to be illiquid investments.
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies
A Fund may invest in stocks, warrants, rights, debt and other securities of special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) or similar special purpose entities in a private placement transaction or as part of a public offering. A SPAC is a publicly traded company that raises investment capital for the purpose of acquiring or merging with an existing company. The shares of a SPAC are typically issued in “units.” Units include one share of common stock and one right or warrant (or partial right or warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional shares of common stock. At a specified time, the rights and warrants may be separated from the common stock at the election of the holder, after which each security typically is freely tradeable. An alternative to private companies making an initial public offering (“IPO”) can be combining with a SPAC, which permits the private company to go public by taking the SPAC's place on an exchange. Until an acquisition or merger is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets, less a portion retained to cover expenses, in U.S. government securities, money market securities and cash and does not typically pay dividends in respect of its common stock. In addition, a Fund may elect not to participate in a proposed SPAC transaction or may be required to divest its interests in the SPAC due to regulatory or other considerations. As a result, it is possible that an investment in a SPAC may lose value.
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If an acquisition or merger that meets the requirements of the SPAC is not completed within a pre-established period of time (typically, two years), the funds invested in the SPAC (less any permitted expenses and any losses experienced by the SPAC) are returned to its shareholders. Any warrants or other rights with respect to a SPAC held by a Fund may expire worthless or may be repurchased or retired by the SPAC.
Because SPACs and similar entities are blank check companies and do not have any operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the SPAC’s management to identify a merger target and complete an acquisition. Some SPACs pursue acquisitions only within certain industries or regions, which may increase the volatility of their prices and the risks associated with these investments. In addition, the securities issued by a SPAC may be classified as illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale, which may be for an extended time, and may only be traded in the over-the-counter market. If there is no market for the shares of the SPAC or only a thinly traded market for shares or interests in the SPAC develops, a Fund may not be able to sell its interest in a SPAC or to sell its interest only at a price below what the Fund believes is the SPAC interest's value. If not subject to a restriction on resale, a Fund may sell its investments in a SPAC at any time, including before, at or after the time of an acquisition or merger.
An investment in a SPAC may be diluted by additional, later offerings of securities by the SPAC or by other investors exercising existing rights to purchase securities of the SPAC. Generally, SPACs provide the opportunity for common shareholders to have some or all of their shares of common stock redeemed by the SPAC at or around the time of a proposed acquisition or merger. An investment in a SPAC is subject to the risks that any proposed acquisition or merger may not obtain the requisite approval of SPAC shareholders or that an acquisition or merger may prove unsuccessful and lose value. An investment in a SPAC is also subject to the risk that a significant portion of the funds raised by the SPAC may be expended during the search for a target acquisition or merger. The values of investments in SPACs may be highly volatile and may depreciate over time.
In addition, investments in SPACs may be subject to the risks of investing in an IPO. These risks include risks associated with companies that have little or no operating history as public companies, unseasoned trading and small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. Additionally, investments in SPACs may be subject to the risks inherent in those sectors of the market where these new issuers operate. The market for IPO issuers may be volatile, and share prices of newly-public companies have fluctuated significantly over short periods of time. Although some IPOs may produce high, double-digit returns, such returns are highly unusual and may not be sustainable.
Structured Investments
A structured investment is a security having a return tied to an underlying index or other security or asset class. Structured investments generally are individually negotiated agreements and may be traded over-the-counter. Structured investments are organized and operated to restructure the investment characteristics of the underlying security. This restructuring involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, or specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans) and the issuance by that entity or one or more classes of securities (“structured securities”) backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured securities to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of such payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because structured securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. Investments in structured securities are generally of a class of structured securities that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured securities. Structured instruments include structured notes. In addition to the risks applicable to investments in structured investments and debt securities in general, structured notes bear the risk that the issuer may not be required to pay interest on the structured note if the index rate rises above or falls below a certain level. Structured securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured securities. Investments in government and government-related restructured debt instruments are subject to special risks, including the inability or unwillingness to repay principal and interest, requests to reschedule or restructure outstanding debt and requests to extend additional loan amounts. Structured investments
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include a wide variety of instruments including, without limitation, CDOs, credit linked notes, and participation notes and participatory notes. Additional information including risk information is included under Asset-Backed Securities.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for the definition of “investment company” provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
Credit Linked Notes. Certain Funds may invest in structured instruments known as credit linked securities or credit linked notes (“CLNs”). CLNs are typically issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle (the “CLN trust”) that, in turn, invests in a derivative or basket of derivatives instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and/or other securities, in order to provide exposure to certain high yield, sovereign debt, emerging markets, or other fixed income markets. Generally, investments in CLNs represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the CLN. However, these payments are conditioned on the CLN trust’s receipt of payments from, and the CLN trust’s potential obligations, to the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the CLN trust invests. For example, the CLN trust may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the CLN trust would receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default were to occur, the stream of payments may stop and the CLN trust would be obligated to pay the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and principal that a Fund would receive as an investor in the CLN trust.
Certain Funds may enter into CLNs structured as “First-to-Default” CLNs. In a First-to-Default CLN, the CLN trust enters into a credit default swap on a portfolio of a specified number of individual securities pursuant to which the CLN trust sells protection to a counterparty. The CLN trust uses the proceeds of issuing investments in the CLN trust to purchase securities, which are selected by the counterparty and the total return of which is paid to the counterparty. Upon the occurrence of a default or credit event involving any one of the individual securities, the credit default swaps terminate and the Fund’s investment in the CLN trust is redeemed for an amount equal to “par” minus the amount paid to the counterparty under the credit default swap.
Certain Funds may also enter in CLNs to gain access to sovereign debt and securities in emerging market particularly in markets where the Fund is not able to purchase securities directly due to domicile restrictions or tax restrictions or tariffs. In such an instance, the issuer of the CLN may purchase the reference security directly and/or gain exposure through a credit default swap or other derivative.
A Fund’s investments in CLNs is subject to the risks associated with the underlying reference obligations and derivative instruments, including, among others, credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and management risk.
Equity-Linked Notes. Certain Funds may invest in structured investments known as equity-linked notes (“ELNs”). ELNs are hybrid derivative-type instruments that are designed to combine the characteristics of one or more reference securities (e.g., a single stock, a stock index or a basket of stocks (“underlying securities”)) and a related equity derivative. ELNs are structured as notes that are issued by counterparties, including banks, broker-dealers or their affiliates, and are designed to offer a return linked to the underlying securities within the ELN. ELNs can provide a Fund with an efficient investment tool that may be less expensive than investing directly in the underlying securities and the related equity derivative.
Generally, when purchasing an ELN, a Fund pays the counterparty the current value of the underlying securities plus a commission. Upon the maturity of the note, the Fund generally receives the par value of the note plus a return based on the appreciation of the underlying securities. If the underlying securities have depreciated in value or if their price fluctuates outside of a preset range, depending on the type of ELN in which the Fund invested, the Fund may receive only the principal amount of the note, or may lose the principal invested in the ELN entirely.
ELNs are available with an assortment of features, such as periodic coupon payments (e.g., monthly, quarterly or semiannually), varied participation rates (the rate at which a Fund participates in the appreciation of the underlying securities), limitations on the appreciation potential of the underlying securities by a maximum payment or call right, and different protection levels on a Fund’s principal investment. In addition, when the underlying securities are foreign securities or indices, an ELN may be
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priced with or without currency exposure. A Fund may engage in all types of ELNs, including those that: (1) provide for protection of the Fund’s principal in exchange for limited participation in the appreciation of the underlying securities, and (2) do not provide for such protection and subject the Fund to the risk of loss of the Fund’s principal investment.
Investing in ELNs may be more costly to a Fund than if the Fund had invested in the underlying instruments directly. Investments in ELNs often have risks similar to the underlying instruments, which include market risk and, as applicable, foreign securities and currency risk. In addition, since ELNs are in note form, ELNs are also subject to certain debt securities risks, such as credit or counterparty risk. Should the prices of the underlying instruments move in an unexpected manner, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of an investment in an ELN, and may realize losses, which could be significant and could include the entire principal investment. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. A lack of liquidity may also cause the value of the ELN to decline. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities.
ELN investments are subject to the risk that issuers and/or counterparties will fail to make payments when due or default completely. Prices of these investments may be adversely affected if any of the issuers or counterparties it is invested in are subject to an actual or perceived deterioration in their credit quality.
If the ELN is held to maturity, the issuer would pay to the purchaser the underlying instrument’s value at maturity with any necessary adjustments. The holder of an ELN that is linked to a particular underlying security or instrument may be entitled to receive dividends paid in connection with that underlying equity security, but typically does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying equity security. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a trading market for an ELN or that the trading price of the ELN will equal the underlying value of the instruments that it seeks to replicate. Unlike a direct investment in equity securities, ELNs typically involve a term or expiration date, potentially increasing the Fund’s turnover rate, transaction costs and tax liability.
Participation Notes and Participatory Notes. Certain Funds may invest in instruments that have similar economic characteristics to equity securities, such as participation notes (also known as participatory notes (“P-notes”)) or other structured instruments that may be developed from time to time (“structured instruments”). Structured instruments are notes that are issued by banks, broker-dealers or their affiliates and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity or market.
If the structured instrument were held to maturity, the issuer would pay to the purchaser the underlying instrument’s value at maturity with any necessary adjustments. The holder of a structured instrument that is linked to a particular underlying security or instrument may be entitled to receive dividends paid in connection with that underlying security or instrument, but typically does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. Structured instruments have transaction costs. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a trading market for a structured instrument or that the trading price of a structured instrument will equal the underlying value of the security, instrument or market that it seeks to replicate. Unlike a direct investment in equity securities, structured instruments typically involve a term or expiration date, potentially increasing the Fund’s turnover rate, transaction costs and tax liability.
Due to transfer restrictions, the secondary markets on which a structured instrument is traded may be less liquid than the market for other securities, or may be completely illiquid, which may expose the Fund to risks of mispricing or improper valuation. Structured instruments typically constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks, broker-dealers or their relevant affiliates that issue them, which subjects the Fund to counterparty risk (and this risk may be amplified if the Fund purchases structured instruments from only a small number of issuers). Structured instruments also have the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities, instruments or markets that they seek to replicate.
Swaps and Related Swap Products
Swap transactions may include, but are not limited to, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, forward rate agreements, contracts for differences, total return swaps, index swaps, basket swaps, specific security swaps, fixed income sectors swaps, commodity swaps, asset-backed swaps (ABX), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and indexes of CMBS (CMBX), credit default swaps, interest rate caps, price lock swaps, floors and collars and swaptions (collectively defined as “swap transactions”).
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A Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objective and policies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining that return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in cash markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, to protect against any increase in the price of securities a Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in the most economical way possible.
Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional counterparties for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years. They may be bilaterally negotiated between the two parties (referred to as OTC swaps) or traded over an exchange. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) that would be earned or realized on specified notional investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated by reference to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or commodity, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The purchaser of an interest rate cap or floor, upon payment of a fee, has the right to receive payments (and the seller of the cap or floor is obligated to make payments) to the extent a specified interest rate exceeds (in the case of a cap) or is less than (in the case of a floor) a specified level over a specified period of time or at specified dates. The purchaser of an interest rate collar, upon payment of a fee, has the right to receive payments (and the seller of the collar is obligated to make payments) to the extent that a specified interest rate falls outside an agreed upon range over a specified period of time or at specified dates. The purchaser of an option on an interest rate swap, also known as a “swaption,” upon payment of a fee (either at the time of purchase or in the form of higher payments or lower receipts within an interest rate swap transaction) has the right, but not the obligation, to initiate a new swap transaction of a pre-specified notional amount with pre-specified terms with the seller of the swaption as the counterparty.
The “notional amount” of a swap transaction is the agreed upon basis for calculating the payments that the parties have agreed to exchange. For example, one swap counterparty may agree to pay a floating rate of interest (e.g., 3 month LIBOR) calculated based on a $10 million notional amount on a quarterly basis in exchange for receipt of payments calculated based on the same notional amount and a fixed rate of interest on a semi-annual basis. In the event a Fund is obligated to make payments more frequently than it receives payments from the other party, it will incur incremental credit exposure to that swap counterparty. This risk may be mitigated somewhat by the use of swap agreements which call for a net payment to be made by the party with the larger payment obligation when the obligations of the parties fall due on the same date. Under most swap agreements entered into by a Fund, payments by the parties will be exchanged on a “net basis,” and a Fund will receive or pay, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments.
The amount of a Fund’s potential gain or loss on any swap transaction is not subject to any fixed limit. Nor is there any fixed limit on a Fund’s potential loss if it sells a cap or collar. If a Fund buys a cap, floor or collar, however, the Fund’s potential loss is limited to the amount of the fee that it has paid. When measured against the initial amount of cash required to initiate the transaction, which is typically zero in the case of most conventional swap transactions, swaps, caps, floors and collars tend to be more volatile than many other types of instruments.
The use of swap transactions, caps, floors and collars involves investment techniques and risks that are different from those associated with portfolio security transactions. If a Fund’s Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates, and other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be less favorable than if these techniques had not been used. These instruments are typically not traded on exchanges. Accordingly, there is a risk that the other party to certain of these instruments will not perform its obligations to a Fund or that a Fund may be unable to enter into offsetting positions to terminate its exposure or liquidate its position under certain of these instruments when it wishes to do so. Such occurrences could result in losses to a Fund. A Fund’s Adviser will consider such risks and will enter into swap and other derivatives transactions only when it believes that the risks are not unreasonable.
A Fund will not enter into any swap transaction, cap, floor, or collar, unless the counterparty to the transaction is deemed creditworthy by the Fund’s Adviser. If a counterparty defaults, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The swap markets in which many types of swap transactions are traded have grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the markets for certain types of swaps (e.g., interest rate swaps) have become relatively liquid. The markets for some types of caps, floors and collars are less liquid.
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The liquidity of swap transactions, caps, floors and collars will be as set forth in guidelines established by a Fund’s Adviser and approved by the Trustees which are based on various factors, including: (1) the availability of dealer quotations and the estimated transaction volume for the instrument, (2) the number of dealers and end users for the instrument in the marketplace, (3) the level of market making by dealers in the type of instrument, (4) the nature of the instrument (including any right of a party to terminate it on demand) and (5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to assign or offset a Fund’s rights and obligations relating to the instrument). Such determination will govern whether the instrument will be deemed within the applicable liquidity restriction on investments in securities that are not readily marketable.
During the term of a swap, cap, floor or collar, changes in the value of the instrument are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market to reflect the market value of the instrument. When the instrument is terminated, a Fund will record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and a Fund’s basis in the contract.
The federal income tax treatment with respect to swap transactions, caps, floors, and collars may impose limitations on the extent to which a Fund may engage in such transactions.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain swaps that were historically traded OTC must now be traded on an exchange or facility regulated by the CFTC and/or centrally cleared (central clearing interposes a central clearing house to each participant’s swap). Exchange trading and central clearing are intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity and transparency, but they do not make swap transactions risk-free. Moving trading to an exchange-type system may increase market transparency and liquidity but may require Funds to incur increased expenses to access the same types of cleared and uncleared swaps. Moreover, depending on the size of a Fund and other factors, the margin required under the clearinghouse rules and by a clearing member may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by the Fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. But applicable regulators have also adopted rules imposing margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps, which may result in a Fund and its counterparties posting higher margin amounts for uncleared swaps as well. Recently adopted rules also require centralized reporting of detailed information about many types of cleared and uncleared swaps. Swaps data reporting may result in greater market transparency, but may subject a Fund to additional administrative burdens, and the safeguards established to protect trader anonymity may not function as expected. Implementing these new exchange trading, central clearing, margin and data reporting regulations may increase Fund’s cost of hedging risk and, as a result, may affect returns to Fund investors.
Credit Default Swaps. As described above, swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In the case of a credit default swap (“CDS”), the contract gives one party (the buyer) the right to recoup the economic value of a decline in the value of debt securities of the reference issuer if the credit event (a downgrade or default) occurs. This value is obtained by delivering a debt security of the reference issuer to the party in return for a previously agreed payment from the other party (frequently, the par value of the debt security). CDS include credit default swaps, which are contracts on individual securities, and credit default swap indices (“CDX”), which are contracts on baskets or indices of securities.
Credit default swaps may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments (receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation.
If a Fund is a seller of protection under a CDS contract, the Fund would be required to pay the par (or other agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, with respect to such debt obligations. In return, a Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, a Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the seller, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
If a Fund is a buyer of protection under a CDS contract, the Fund would have the right to deliver a referenced debt obligation and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event (such as a downgrade in credit rating) by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporation, with respect to its debt obligations. In return, the Fund would pay the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the counterparty would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Fund.
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The use of CDSs, like all swap agreements, is subject to certain risks. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap would likely decline. Moreover, there is no guarantee that a Fund could eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party. In addition to general market risks, CDSs involve liquidity, credit and counterparty risks. The recent increase in corporate defaults further raises these liquidity and credit risks, increasing the possibility that sellers will not have sufficient funds to make payments. As unregulated instruments, CDSs are difficult to value and are therefore susceptible to liquidity and credit risks. Counterparty risks also stem from the lack of regulation of CDSs. Collateral posting requirements are individually negotiated between counterparties and there is no regulatory requirement concerning the amount of collateral that a counterparty must post to secure its obligations under a CDS. Because they are unregulated, there is no requirement that parties to a contract be informed in advance when a CDS is sold. As a result, investors may have difficulty identifying the party responsible for payment of their claims.
If a counterparty’s credit becomes significantly impaired, multiple requests for collateral posting in a short period of time could increase the risk that the Fund may not receive adequate collateral. There is no readily available market for trading out of CDS contracts. In order to eliminate a position it has taken in a CDS, the Fund must terminate the existing CDS contract or enter into an offsetting trade. The Fund may only exit its obligations under a CDS contract by terminating the contract and paying applicable breakage fees, which could result in additional losses to the Fund. Furthermore, the cost of entering into an offsetting CDS position could cause the Fund to incur losses.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain CDS indices are subject to mandatory central cleaning and exchange trading, which may reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to other credit default swap or CDS index transactions.
Synthetic Variable Rate Instruments
Synthetic variable rate instruments generally involve the deposit of a long-term tax exempt bond in a custody or trust arrangement and the creation of a mechanism to adjust the long-term interest rate on the bond to a variable short-term rate and a right (subject to certain conditions) on the part of the purchaser to tender it periodically to a third party at par. A Fund’s Adviser reviews the structure of synthetic variable rate instruments to identify credit and liquidity risks (including the conditions under which the right to tender the instrument would no longer be available) and will monitor those risks. In the event that the right to tender the instrument is no longer available, the risk to the Fund will be that of holding the long-term bond. In the case of some types of instruments credit enhancement is not provided, and if certain events occur, which may include (a) default in the payment of principal or interest on the underlying bond, (b) downgrading of the bond below investment grade or (c) a loss of the bond’s tax exempt status, then the put will terminate and the risk to the Fund will be that of holding a long-term bond.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the fee table and Financial Highlights section of each Fund’s Prospectuses do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception for the definition of “investment company” provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
Treasury Receipts
A Fund may purchase interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. Treasury obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. Treasury notes and U.S. Treasury bonds into a special account at a custodian bank. Receipts include Treasury Receipts (“TRs”), Treasury Investment Growth Receipts (“TIGRs”), and Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities (“CATS”). Receipts in which an entity other than the government separates the interest and principal components are not considered government securities unless such securities are issued through the Treasury Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”) program.
Trust Preferred Securities
Certain Funds may purchase trust preferred securities, also known as “trust preferreds,” which are preferred stocks issued by a special purpose trust subsidiary backed by subordinated debt of the corporate parent. An issuer creates trust preferred securities by creating a trust and issuing debt to the trust. The trust in turn issues trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities are hybrid securities with characteristics of both subordinated debt and preferred stock. Such characteristics include long maturities (typically 30
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years or more), early redemption by the issuer, periodic fixed or variable interest payments, and maturities at face value. In addition, trust preferred securities issued by a bank holding company may allow deferral of interest payments for up to 5 years. Holders of trust preferred securities have limited voting rights to control the activities of the trust and no voting rights with respect to the parent company.
U.S. Government Obligations
U.S. government obligations may include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, including Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which are backed as to principal and interest payments by the full faith and credit of the U.S., and separately traded principal and interest component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the Federal book-entry system known as STRIPS and Coupons Under Book Entry Safekeeping (“CUBES”). The Funds may also invest in TIPS. U.S. government obligations are subject to market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk.
The principal and interest components of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities of longer than ten years are eligible to be traded independently under the STRIPS program. Under the STRIPS program, the principal and interest components are separately issued by the U.S. Treasury at the request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts separately. The interest component of STRIPS may be more volatile than that of U.S. Treasury bills with comparable maturities.
Other obligations include those issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, GSEs or instrumentalities. These obligations may or may not be backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Securities which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. include obligations of the Government National Mortgage Association, the Farmers Home Administration, and the Export-Import Bank. In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S., the Funds must look principally to the federal agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. Securities in which the Funds may invest that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. include, but are not limited to: (i) obligations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Home Loan Banks and the U.S. Postal Service, each of which has the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations; (ii) securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which are supported only by the credit of such securities, but for which the Secretary of the Treasury has discretionary authority to purchase limited amounts of the agency’s obligations; and (iii) obligations of the Federal Farm Credit System and the Student Loan Marketing Association, each of whose obligations may be satisfied only by the individual credits of the issuing agency.
The total public debt of the United States and other countries around the globe as a percent of gross domestic product has grown rapidly since the beginning of the 2008 financial downturn and has accelerated in connection with the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt cost higher and cause a country to sell additional debt, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due. Unsustainable debt levels can cause devaluations of currency, prevent a government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns, and contribute to market volatility. In addition, the high and rising national debt may adversely impact the U.S. economy and securities in which the Fund may invest. From time to time, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. government to increase the statutory debt ceiling could: increase the risk that the U.S. government may default on payments on certain U.S. government securities; cause the credit rating of the U.S. government to be downgraded or increase volatility in both stock and bond markets; result in higher interest rates; reduce prices of U.S. Treasury securities; and/or increase the costs of certain kinds of debt.
In the past, U.S. sovereign credit has experienced downgrades and there can be no guarantee that it will not experience further downgrades in the future by rating agencies. The market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government may be adversely affected by a rating agency’s decision to downgrade the sovereign credit rating of the United States.
When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments
Securities may be purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. For example, delivery of and payment for these securities can take place a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The purchase price and the interest rate payable, if any, on the securities are fixed on the purchase
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commitment date or at the time the settlement date is fixed. The value of such securities is subject to market fluctuation, and for money market instruments and other fixed income securities, no interest accrues to a Fund until settlement takes place. At the time a Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record the transaction, reflect the value each day of such securities in determining its NAV and, if applicable, calculate the maturity for the purposes of average maturity from that date. At the time of settlement, a when-issued security may be valued at less than the purchase price. If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition, it could, as with the disposition of any other portfolio obligation, incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuation. Also, a Fund may be disadvantaged if the other party to the transaction defaults.
Forward Commitments. Securities may be purchased for delivery at a future date, which may increase their overall investment exposure and involves a risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to the settlement date. In order to invest a Fund’s assets immediately, while awaiting delivery of securities purchased on a forward commitment basis, short-term obligations that offer same-day settlement and earnings will normally be purchased.
Purchases of securities on a forward commitment basis may involve more risk than other types of purchases. Securities purchased on a forward commitment basis and the securities held in the respective Fund’s portfolio are subject to changes in value based upon the public’s perception of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can involve the risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be higher or lower than those obtained in the transaction itself. On the settlement date of the forward commitment transaction, the respective Fund will meet its obligations from then-available cash flow, sale of securities reserved for payment of the commitment, sale of other securities or, although it would not normally expect to do so, from sale of the forward commitment securities themselves (which may have a value greater or lesser than such Fund’s payment obligations). The sale of securities to meet such obligations may result in the realization of capital gains or losses. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can also involve the risk of default by the other party on its obligation, delaying or preventing the Fund from recovering the collateral or completing the transaction.
To the extent a Fund engages in forward commitment transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities consistent with its investment objective and policies and not for the purpose of investment leverage.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING FUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
ESG Integration
Certain Funds disclose in their prospectuses that the adviser integrates financially material environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) factors as part of the Fund’s investment process (“ESG Integration”). ESG Integration is the systematic inclusion of ESG issues in investment analysis and investment decisions. ESG Integration does not change a Fund’s investment objective, exclude specific types of companies or constrain a Fund’s investable universe. Environmental issues are defined as issues related to the quality and function of the natural environment and natural systems. Some examples include greenhouse gas emissions, climate change resilience, pollution (air, water, noise, and light), biodiversity/habitat protection and waste management. Social issues are defined as issues related to the rights, wellbeing and interests of people and communities. Some examples include workplace safety, cybersecurity and data privacy, human rights, local stakeholder relationships, and discrimination prevention. Governance issues are issues related to the way companies are managed and overseen. Some examples include independence of chair/board, fiduciary duty, board diversity, executive compensation and bribery and corruption. These examples of ESG issues are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not exhaustive. In addition, as ESG Integration focuses on financial materiality, not all ESG factors are relevant to a particular investment, asset class, or Fund.
ESG Integration for a Fund is dependent upon the availability of sufficient ESG information on the Fund’s investment universe. In addition, in order for a Fund to be considered ESG integrated, JPMIM requires: (1) portfolio management teams to consider proprietary research on the financial materiality of ESG issues on the Fund’s investments; (2) documentation of the adviser’s research views and methodology throughout the investment process; and (3) appropriate monitoring of ESG considerations in ongoing risk management and portfolio monitoring. ESG determinations may not be conclusive and securities of companies /issuers may be purchased and retained, without limit, by the adviser regardless of potential ESG impact. The impact of ESG Integration on a Fund’s performance is not specifically measurable as investment decisions are discretionary regardless of ESG considerations.
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Investments in the Asia Pacific Region
The economies in the Asia Pacific region are in all stages of economic development and may be intertwined. The small size of securities markets and the low trading volume in some countries in the Asia Pacific region may lead to a lack of liquidity. The share prices of companies in the region tend to be volatile and there is a significant possibility of loss. Many of the countries in the region are developing, both politically and economically, and as a result companies in the region may be subject to risks like nationalization or other forms of government interference, and/or may be heavily reliant on only a few industries or commodities. Investments in the region may also be subject to currency risks, such as restrictions on the flow of money in and out of the country, extreme volatility relative to the U.S. dollar, and devaluation, all of which could decrease the value of a Fund.
Investments in the European Market
Some of the Funds may invest in securities in the European Market. A Fund’s performance will be affected by political, social and economic conditions in Europe, such as growth of the economic output (the gross national product), the rate of inflation, the rate at which capital is reinvested into European economies, the success of governmental actions to reduce budget deficits, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries and interest and monetary exchange rates between European countries. European financial markets may experience volatility due to concerns about high government debt levels, credit rating downgrades, rising unemployment, the future of the euro as a common currency, possible restructuring of government debt and other government measures responding to those concerns, and fiscal and monetary controls imposed on member countries of the European Union. The risk of investing in Europe may be heightened due to steps taken by the United Kingdom to exit the European Union. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union. On December 30, 2020, the European Union and the United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (“TCA”), an agreement on the terms governing certain aspects of the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s relationship, many of which are still to be determined, including those related to financial services. Notwithstanding the TCA, significant uncertainty remains in the market regarding the ramifications of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. The impact on the United Kingdom and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in increased volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, impacts on arrangements for trading and on other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements (whether economic, tax, fiscal, legal, regulatory or otherwise), and in potentially lower growth for companies in the United Kingdom, Europe and globally, which could have an adverse effect on the value of a Fund’s investments. In addition, if one or more other countries were to exit the European Union or abandon the use of the euro as a currency, the value of investments tied to those countries or the euro could decline significantly and unpredictably.
Investments in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and certain of its instrumentalities are currently experiencing financial difficulties, including persistent government budget deficits, significant debt service obligations, underfunded government retirement systems, a high unemployment rate and tax erosion from significant out-migration. In addition, Puerto Rico is prone to severe weather events and natural disasters. Hurricane Maria and other severe weather events or natural disasters that may occur in the future could have a significant and long-lasting adverse impact on Puerto Rico’s economy. The COVID-19 pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on Puerto Rico’s economy.
A Fund’s investments in municipal securities may be affected by political and economic developments within the applicable municipality and by the financial condition of the municipality. Certain of the issuers in which a Fund may invest have recently experienced, or may experience, significant financial difficulties. For example, Puerto Rico, in particular, has been experiencing significant financial difficulties and has entered bankruptcy-like proceedings allowing it to halt debt payments pending the restructuring of its debt. A default by issuers of Puerto Rico municipal securities on their obligations under securities held by a Fund may adversely affect the Fund and cause the Fund to lose the value of its investment in such securities.
An insolvent municipality may take steps to reorganize its debt, which might include extending debt maturities, reducing the amount of principal or interest, refinancing the debt or taking other measures that may significantly affect the rights of creditors and the value of the securities issued by the municipality and the value of a Fund’s investments in those securities. Pursuant to Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, certain municipalities that meet specific conditions may be provided protection from creditors while
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they develop and negotiate plans for reorganizing their debts. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides that individual U.S. states are not permitted to pass their own laws purporting to bind non-consenting creditors to a restructuring of a municipality’s indebtedness, and thus all such restructurings must be pursuant to Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Municipal bankruptcies are relatively rare, and certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governing such bankruptcies are unclear and remain untested. Although Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory, neither Puerto Rico nor its subdivisions or agencies are eligible to file under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in order to seek protection from creditors or restructure their debt. In June 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Puerto Rico legislation that would have allowed certain Puerto Rico public corporations to seek protection from creditors and to restructure their debt was unconstitutional. In the same month, the U.S. Congress passed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”), which established a federally-appointed fiscal oversight board (“Oversight Board”) to oversee Puerto Rico’s financial operations and possible debt restructuring. On May 3, 2017, the Oversight Board filed a debt restructuring petition in the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico to seek bankruptcy-like protections from, at the time of the filing, approximately $74 billion in debt and approximately $48 billion in unfunded pension obligations. In addition to the debt restructuring petition filed on behalf of Puerto Rico, in May 2017, the Oversight Board separately filed debt restructuring petitions for certain Puerto Rico instrumentalities, including the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority (“HTA”), Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”), Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority (“PREPA”) and Employee Retirement System. In February 2019, a federal judge approved a Plan of Adjustment reducing COFINA debt from $18 billion to $6 billion. More recently, on January 18, 2022, a federal judge approved a Plan of Adjustment, which became effective in March 2022, under which the largest portion of Puerto Rico’s debt was reduced from $34.3 billion to $7.4 billion, and its annual debt service was reduced from $4.2 billion to $1.15 billion. Later that year, on October 13, 2022, a federal judge approved a Plan of Adjustment to reduce the HTA debt from $6 billion to $1.6 billion. There continue to be ongoing efforts to restructure the debt of certain Puerto Rico instrumentalities, including more than $10 billion of PREPA debt. There can be no assurances that these debt restructuring efforts will be effective or that Puerto Rico will be able to service debt payments following the completion of the debt restructuring. In addition, any restructurings approved by a federal court could be appealed and overturned. The mediation process and certain litigation is ongoing with respect to certain municipal securities issued by Puerto Rico and its political subdivisions, instrumentalities and authorities. It is not presently possible to predict the results of this mediation and litigation, but such outcomes will have a significant impact on bondholders of those municipal securities. Further legislation by the U.S. Congress, or actions by the oversight board established by PROMESA, or court approval of an unfavorable debt restructuring deal could have a negative impact on the marketability, liquidity or value of certain investments held by a Fund and could reduce a Fund’s performance.
Investments in the Greater China Region
Investing in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan (collectively, “the China Region”) involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in other more established economies or securities markets. Such risks may include: (a) the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation; (b) greater social, economic and political uncertainty (including the risk of war); (c) dependency on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade; (d) the increasing competition from Asia’s other low-cost emerging economies; (e) greater price volatility and significantly smaller market capitalization of securities markets, particularly in Mainland China; (f) substantially less liquidity, particularly of certain share classes of Mainland Chinese securities; (g) currency exchange rate fluctuations and the lack of available currency hedging instruments; (h) higher rates of inflation; (i) controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a Fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (j) greater governmental involvement in and control over the economy; (k) the risk that the Mainland Chinese government may decide not to continue to support the economic reform programs implemented since 1978 and could return to the prior, completely centrally planned, economy; (l) the fact that China Region companies, particularly those located in Mainland China, may be smaller, less seasoned and newly organized companies; (m) the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers, particularly in Mainland China; (n) the fact that statistical information regarding the economy of Mainland China may be inaccurate or not comparable to statistical information regarding the U.S. or other economies; (o) the less extensive, and still developing, regulation of the securities markets, business entities and commercial transactions; (p) the fact that the settlement period of securities transactions in foreign markets may be longer; (q) the willingness and ability of the Mainland Chinese government to support the Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong economies and markets is
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uncertain; (r) the risk that it may be more difficult, or impossible, to obtain and/or enforce a judgment than in other countries; (s) the rapidity and erratic nature of growth, particularly in Mainland China, resulting in inefficiencies and dislocations; (t) the risk of embargoes, sanctions, investment restrictions and other trade limitations, including that certain securities are, or may in the future, become restricted, and a Fund may be forced to sell such restricted security and incur a loss as a result; and (u) the risk that, because of the degree of interconnectivity between the economies and financial markets of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, any sizable reduction in the demand for goods from Mainland China, or an economic downturn in Mainland China, could negatively affect the economies and financial markets of Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well.
Investment in the China Region is subject to certain political risks. Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) by the Communist Party in 1949, the Mainland Chinese government renounced various debt obligations incurred by Mainland China’s predecessor governments, which obligations remain in default, and expropriated assets without compensation. There can be no assurance that the Mainland Chinese government will not take similar action in the future. An investment in a Fund involves risk of a total loss. The political reunification of Mainland China and Taiwan is a highly problematic issue and is unlikely to be settled in the near future. This situation poses a threat to Taiwan’s economy and could negatively affect its stock market. Mainland China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy and its economic, political and social freedoms for fifty years from the July 1, 1997 transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to Mainland China. However, if Mainland China would exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance.
As with all transition economies, Mainland China’s ability to develop and sustain a credible legal, regulatory, monetary, and socioeconomic system could influence the course of outside investment. Hong Kong is closely tied to Mainland China, economically and through China’s 1997 acquisition of the country as a Special Autonomous Region (SAR). Hong Kong’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to retain the legal, financial, and monetary systems that allow economic freedom and market expansion. In addition to the risks inherent in investing in the emerging markets, the risks of investing in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan merit special consideration.
People’s Republic of China. The government of the PRC is dominated by the one-party rule of the Chinese Communist Party.
Mainland China’s economy has transitioned from a rigidly central-planned state-run economy to one that has been only partially reformed by more market-oriented policies. Although the Mainland Chinese government has implemented economic reform measures, reduced state ownership of companies and established better corporate governance practices, a substantial portion of productive assets in Mainland China are still owned by the Mainland Chinese government. The government continues to exercise significant control over regulating industrial development and, ultimately, control over Mainland China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
Following years of steady growth, the pace of growth of Mainland China’s economy has relatively slowed, partly as a result of the government’s attempts to shift the economy away from export manufacturing and towards domestic consumption and to prevent the overheating of certain sectors. The slow down subjects Mainland China’s economy to significant risks, including economic, social, and political risks. Additionally, Mainland China’s economy remains heavily dependent on exports. The imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers or a downturn in the economy of a significant trading partner could adversely impact Mainland Chinese companies. Over the long term, Mainland China’s major challenges include dealing with its aging infrastructure, worsening environmental conditions and rapidly widening urban and rural income gap.
As with all transition economies, Mainland China’s ability to develop and sustain a credible legal, regulatory, monetary, and socioeconomic system could influence the course of outside investment. The Mainland Chinese legal system, in particular, constitutes a significant risk factor for investors. The Mainland Chinese legal system is based on statutes. Since the late 1970s, Chinese legislative bodies have promulgated laws and regulations dealing with various economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation, and trade. However, despite the expanding body of law in Mainland China, legal precedent and published court decisions based on these laws are limited and non-binding. The interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations are uncertain.
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Hong Kong. In 1997, Great Britain handed over control of Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland government. Since that time, Hong Kong has been governed by a semi-constitution known as the Basic Law, which guarantees a high degree of autonomy in certain matters until 2047, while defense and foreign affairs are the responsibility of the central government in Beijing. The chief executive of Hong Kong is appointed by the Mainland Chinese government. Hong Kong is able to participate in international organizations and agreements and it continues to function as an international financial center, with no exchange controls, free convertibility of the Hong Kong dollar and free inward and outward movement of capital. The Basic Law guarantees existing freedoms, including free speech and assembly, press, religion, and the right to strike and travel. Business ownership, private property, the right of inheritance and foreign investment are also protected by law. Mainland China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy until 2047. However, as of July 2020, the Chinese Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As of the same month, Hong Kong is no longer afforded preferential economic treatment by the United States under U.S. law, and there is uncertainty as to how the economy of Hong Kong will be affected. If Mainland China were to exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political, or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance.
Taiwan. For decades, a state of hostility has existed between Taiwan and the PRC. Beijing has long deemed Taiwan a part of the “one China” and has made a nationalist cause of recovering it. In the past, Mainland China has staged frequent military provocations off the coast of Taiwan and made threats of full-scale military action. Foreign trade has been the engine of rapid growth in Taiwan and has transformed the island into one of Asia’s great exporting nations. However, investing in Taiwan involves the possibility of the imposition of exchange controls, such as restrictions on the repatriation of Fund investments or on the conversion of local currency into foreign currencies. As an export-oriented economy, Taiwan depends on an open world trade regime and remains vulnerable to downturns in the world economy. Taiwanese companies continue to compete mostly on price, producing generic products or branded merchandise on behalf of multinational companies. Accordingly, these businesses can be particularly vulnerable to currency volatility and increasing competition from neighboring lower-cost countries. Moreover, many Taiwanese companies are heavily invested in Mainland China and other countries throughout Southeast Asia, making them susceptible to political events and economic crises in these parts of the region.
Mainland Chinese operating companies sometimes rely on variable interest entity (“VIE”) structures to raise capital from non-Chinese investors. In a VIE structure, a Mainland China-based operating company establishes an entity (typically offshore) that enters into service and other contracts with the Mainland Chinese company designed to provide economic exposure to the company. The offshore entity then issues exchange-traded shares that are sold to the public, including non-Chinese investors (such as a Fund). Shares of the offshore entity are not equity ownership interests in the Mainland Chinese operating company and therefore the ability of the offshore entity to control the activities at the Mainland Chinese company are limited and the Mainland Chinese company may engage in activities that negatively impact investment value. The VIE structure is designed to provide the offshore entity (and in turn, investors in the entity) with economic exposure to the Mainland Chinese company that replicates equity ownership, without actual equity ownership. VIE structures are used due to Mainland Chinese government prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies in certain industries and it is not clear that the contracts are enforceable or that the structures will otherwise work as intended.
On December 24, 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) published for consultation the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) and Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) (together, the “Draft Rules”), which, in effect, require Chinese companies that pursue listings outside of Mainland China, including those that do so using the VIE structure, to make a filing with the CSRC. The Draft Rules propose that companies that are already listed using an existing VIE structure will be grandfathered. Although the Draft Rules effectively signal the CSRC’s acknowledgment of the VIE structure, they are not an endorsement. Further, there is no guarantee that the Draft Rules will ultimately be enacted in their current form and the final version of the Draft Rules may set out more stringent requirements that interfere with the operation of VIE structures by listed Chinese companies. Finally, it is unclear how the Draft Rules, and other laws and regulations promulgated by the CSRC and other government authorities from time to time, might impact Chinese companies that are currently using VIE structures, including how companies operating in "prohibited industries" will be affected, as well as investor appetite for such companies. Despite the Draft Rules and the CSRC’s publications that they do not object to the use of VIE
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structures for Mainland Chinese companies to raise capital from non-Chinese investors, there is no guarantee that the Mainland Chinese government or a Mainland Chinese regulator will not otherwise interfere with the operation of VIE structures.
Intervention by the Mainland Chinese government with respect to VIE structures could adversely affect the Mainland Chinese operating company’s performance, the enforceability of the offshore entity’s contractual arrangements with the Mainland Chinese company and the value of the offshore entity’s shares. Further, if the Mainland Chinese government determines that the agreements establishing the VIE structure do not comply with Mainland Chinese law and regulations, including those related to prohibitions on foreign ownership, the Mainland Chinese government could subject the Mainland Chinese company to penalties, revocation of business and operating licenses or forfeiture of ownership interests. The offshore entity’s control over the Mainland Chinese company may also be jeopardized if certain legal formalities are not observed in connection with the agreements, if the agreements are breached or if the agreements are otherwise determined not to be enforceable. If any of the foregoing were to occur, the market value of a Fund’s associated portfolio holdings would likely fall, causing substantial investment losses for the Fund.
In addition, Mainland Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges, including ADRs and companies that rely on VIE structures, may be delisted if they do not meet U.S. accounting standards and auditor oversight requirements. Delisting could significantly decrease the liquidity and value of the securities of these companies, decrease the ability of a Fund to invest in such securities and increase the cost of the Fund if it is required to seek alternative markets in which to invest in such securities.
Securities are listed on either the Shanghai and/or Shenzhen stock exchanges. Securities listed on these exchanges are divided into two classes, A shares, which are mostly limited to domestic investors, and B shares, which are allocated for both international and domestic investors. A Fund’s exposure to securities listed on either the Shanghai or Shenzhen exchanges will initially be through B shares. The government of Mainland China has announced plans to exchange B shares for A shares and to merge the two markets. Such an event may produce greater liquidity and stability for the combined markets. However, it is uncertain whether or the extent to which these plans will be implemented. In addition to B shares, a Fund may also invest in Hong Kong listed H shares, Hong Kong listed Red chips (which are companies owned by Mainland China enterprises, but are listed in Hong Kong), and companies that meet one of the following categories: the company is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) or Taiwan; the principal securities market for the issuer is Mainland China or Taiwan; the issuer derives at least 50% of its total revenues or profits from goods that are produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in Mainland China or Taiwan; or at least 50% of the issuer’s assets are located in Mainland China or Taiwan.
Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect. The Funds may invest in certain China A-Shares through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program (the “Programs”). The Programs are securities trading and clearing linked programs developed by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”), the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (“HKSCC”), Shanghai Stock Exchange (“SSE”), Shenzhen Stock Exchange (“SZSE”) and China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited (“ChinaClear”) with an objective to achieve mutual stock market access between Mainland China and Hong Kong. The Programs will allow foreign investors to trade certain SSE and SZSE listed China A-Shares through Hong Kong based brokers.
Trading through the Programs are subject to various risks described below, including liquidity risk, currency risk, legal and regulatory uncertainty risk, execution risk, operational risk, tax risk, counterparty risk and credit risk.
Securities purchased under each Program generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through that Program in accordance with applicable rules. While each Program is not subject to individual investment quotas, daily investment quotas apply to all Program participants, which may restrict or preclude the Fund’s ability to purchase particular securities at a particular time. In addition, securities purchased through the Programs are subject to Mainland Chinese securities regulations that restrict the levels of foreign ownership in local securities which could require a Fund to sell securities if ownership of the securities exceeds applicable quotas. Furthermore, additional restrictions may preclude a Fund from being eligible to invest in certain securities traded through a Program. Because all trades in the Programs must be settled in Renminbi (“RMB”), the Mainland Chinese currency, investors must have timely access to a reliable supply of offshore RMB, which cannot be guaranteed. Trades through each
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Program are subject to certain requirements prior to trading which may limit the number of brokers that a Fund may use. This may affect the quality of execution received by a Fund. In addition, applicable laws may, under certain circumstances, require an investor to return profits obtained from the purchase and sale of shares.
The HKSCC provides clearing, settlement, nominee functions and other related services of the trades executed by Hong Kong market participants through an arrangement with ChinaClear. The PRC regulations, which include certain restrictions on selling and buying, will apply to all market participants. In the case of a sale, brokers must have access to certain information about the transaction prior to execution. Because of the various requirements and restrictions applicable to the Programs, a Fund may not be able to purchase and/or dispose of holdings of China A-Shares in a timely manner.
To the extent that HKSCC is deemed to be performing safekeeping functions with respect to assets held through it, it should be noted that the Fund will have no legal relationship with HKSCC and no direct legal recourse against HKSCC in the event that the Fund suffers losses resulting from the performance or insolvency of HKSCC.
The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program began operation in November 2014 and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program began operation in December 2016. The relevant regulations relating to the Programs are untested and subject to change. There is no certainty as to how they will be applied which could adversely affect a Fund. The Programs require use of new information technology systems which may be subject to operational risk due to its cross-border nature. If the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets through the Programs could be disrupted.
As in other emerging and less developed markets, the legislative framework is only beginning to develop the concept of legal/formal ownership and of beneficial ownership or interest in securities in Mainland China. Consequently the applicable courts may consider that any nominee or custodian as registered holder of securities would have full ownership thereof and that a beneficial owner may have no rights whatsoever in respect thereof and may be limited in its ability to pursue claims against the issuer of a security. Additionally, the securities that a Fund may invest in through the Programs may present illiquidity and price volatility concerns and difficulty in determining market valuations of securities due to limited public information on issuers. Such securities may also be subject to limited regulatory oversight and an increased risk of being delisted or suspended. Suspensions or delistings may become widespread, and the length of suspension may be significant and difficult to predict. The Programs utilize an omnibus clearing structure, and a Fund’s shares will be registered in its custodian’s, subcustodian’s or clearing broker’s name on the HKSCC system and in HKSCC’s name on the ChinaClear system. This may limit a Fund’s adviser’s or subadviser’s ability to effectively manage a Fund, and may expose a Fund to the credit risk of its custodian or subcustodian or to greater risk of expropriation.
Similarly, HKSCC would be responsible for the exercise of shareholder rights with respect to corporate actions (including all dividends, rights issues, merger proposals or other shareholder votes). While HKSCC may provide investors with the opportunity to provide voting instructions, investors may not have sufficient time or the opportunity to consider proposals or provide instructions.
The Hong Kong Investor Compensation Fund covers losses in relation to defaults occurring on or after January 1, 2020 by securities brokers in Hong Kong on securities traded on a stock market operated by the SSE or the SZSE and in respect of which an order for sale or purchase is routed through the Programs. Otherwise, defaults with respect to investments in the Programs may not be covered by the China Securities Investor Protection Fund and, without the protection of such programs, will be subject to the risk of default by a broker in Mainland China. In the event ChinaClear defaults, HKSCC’s liabilities under its market contracts with clearing participants will be limited to assisting clearing participants with claims. While it is anticipated that HKSCC will act in good faith to seek recovery of the outstanding stocks and monies from ChinaClear through available legal channels or the liquidation of ChinaClear, there can be no assurances that it will do so, or that it will be successful in doing so. In this event, the Fund may not fully recover its losses and the process could be delayed.
The Programs will only operate on days when both the PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in each applicable market are open on the corresponding settlement days and the Funds will only trade through each Program on days that they are open. There may be occasions when it is a normal trading day for the PRC market but the Fund cannot carry out any China A-Shares trading. A Fund may be subject to risks of price fluctuations in China A-Shares during the time when each Program is not trading as a result. Additionally, different fees and costs are imposed on foreign investors acquiring China A-Shares acquired through the Programs, and these fees and costs may be higher than comparable
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fees and costs imposed on owners of other securities providing similar investment exposure. There is uncertainty of whether and how certain gains on PRC securities will to be taxed, the possibility of the rules being changed and the possibility of taxes being applied retrospectively. Consequently, investors may be advantaged or disadvantaged depending upon the final outcome of how such gains will be taxed and when they subscribed and/or redeemed their shares.
Because the Programs are relatively new, the actual effect on the market for trading China A-Shares with the introduction of large numbers of foreign investors is unknown. The Programs are subject to regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities for the applicable exchanges and further regulations or restrictions, such as limitations on redemptions or suspension of trading, may adversely impact the Programs, if the authorities believe it necessary to assure orderly markets or for other reasons. There is no guarantee that the exchanges will continue to support the Programs in the future.
China Interbank Bond Market. The China Interbank Bond Market (“CIBM”) is an OTC market established in 1997, and accounts for approximately 90% of outstanding bond values of the total trading volume in the PRC. On CIBM, domestic institutional investors and certain foreign institutional investors can trade, on a one-to-one quote-driven basis, sovereign bonds, government bonds, corporate bonds, bond repos, bond lending, bills issued by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) and other financial debt instruments. CIBM is regulated and supervised by the PBOC. The PBOC is responsible for, among others, promulgating the applicable CIBM listing, trading and operating rules, and supervising the market operators of CIBM. CIBM provides for two trading models: (i) bilateral negotiation and (ii) “click-and-deal.” The China Foreign Exchange Trading System (“CFETS”) is the unified trading platform for CIBM, on which all products are traded through independent bilateral negotiation on a transaction by transaction basis. A market-making mechanism has also been introduced to improve market liquidity and enhance efficiency with respect to trading on CIBM.
Once a transaction is agreed, the parties will, in accordance with the terms of the transaction, promptly send instructions for the delivery of bonds and funds. Parties are required to have sufficient bonds and funds for delivery on the agreed delivery date. China Central Depository & Clearing Co., Ltd (“CCDC”) will deliver bonds according to the instructions sent by the parties. Clearing banks will handle the transfer of funds and settlement of the payments of the bonds on behalf of the parties.
Certain Funds, including the Global Bond Opportunities Fund, Income Fund, Unconstrained Debt Fund, Emerging Markets Strategic Debt Fund, Global Allocation Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Core Plus Bond Fund, Short Duration Core Plus Fund, and JPMorgan Insurance Trust Global Allocation Portfolio, may invest in certain Chinese fixed income products traded on the CIBM through the “Mutual Bond Market Access between Mainland China and Hong Kong” (“Bond Connect”) program. The Bond Connect program is a new initiative launched in July 2017 established by CFETS, CCDC, Shanghai Clearing House (“SHCH”), and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”) and Central Moneymarkets Unit (“CMU”) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”) to facilitate investors from Mainland China and Hong Kong to trade in each other’s bond markets through connection between the Mainland China and Hong Kong financial institutions.
Under the prevailing PRC regulations, eligible foreign investors are allowed to invest in the bonds available on the CIBM through the northbound trading of Bond Connect (“Northbound Trading Link”). There is no investment quota for the Northbound Trading Link. Under the Northbound Trading Link, eligible foreign investors are required to appoint the CFETS or other institutions recognized by the PBOC as registration agents to apply for registration with the PBOC.
Cash deposited in the cash account of a Fund with the relevant onshore settlement agent will not be segregated. In the event of the bankruptcy or liquidation of the onshore settlement agent, the Fund will not have any proprietary rights to the cash deposited in such cash account and may face difficulty and/or encounter delays in recovering such assets, or may not be able to recover it in full or at all, in which case the Fund will suffer losses.
Market volatility and potential lack of liquidity due to low trading volume of certain debt securities in the China interbank bond market may result in prices of certain debt securities traded on such market fluctuating significantly. A Fund is therefore subject to liquidity and volatility risks. The bid and offer spreads of the prices of such securities may be large, and the Fund may therefore incur significant trading and realization costs and may even suffer losses when selling such investments.
A Fund is also exposed to risks associated with settlement procedures and default of counterparties. The counterparty which has entered into a transaction with the Fund may default in its obligation to settle the transaction by delivery of the relevant security or by payment for value.
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The Northbound Trading Link refers to the trading platform that is located outside of Mainland China and is connected to CFETS for eligible foreign investors to submit their trade requests for bonds circulated in the CIBM through Bond Connect. HKEx and CFETS will work together with offshore electronic bond trading platforms to provide electronic trading services and platforms to allow direct trading between eligible foreign investors and approved onshore dealers in Mainland China through CFETS.
Eligible foreign investors may submit trade requests for bonds circulated in the CIBM through the Northbound Trading Link provided by offshore electronic bond trading platforms, which will in turn transmit their requests for quotation to CFETS. CFETS will send the requests for quotation to a number of approved onshore dealers (including market makers and others engaged in the market making business) in Mainland China. The approved onshore dealers will respond to the requests for quotation via CFETS, and CFETS will send its responses to those eligible foreign investors through the same offshore electronic bond trading platforms. Once the eligible foreign investor accepts the quotation, the trade is concluded on CFETS.
On the other hand, the settlement and custody of bond securities traded in the CIBM under Bond Connect are conducted through the settlement and custody link between the CMU, as an offshore custody agent, and the CCDC and the SHCH, as onshore custodian and clearing institutions in Mainland China. Under this settlement and custody link, CCDC or the SHCH will effect gross settlement of confirmed trades onshore and the CMU will process bond settlement instructions from the CMU members on behalf of eligible foreign investors in accordance with its relevant rules.
Pursuant to the prevailing regulations in Mainland China, the CMU, being the offshore custody agent recognized by the HKMA, opens omnibus nominee accounts with the onshore custody agent recognized by the PBOC (i.e., the CCDC and Interbank Clearing Company Limited). All bonds traded by eligible foreign investors will be registered in the name of the CMU, which will hold such bonds as a nominee owner.
A Fund’s investments in bonds through Bond Connect will be subject to a number of additional risks and restrictions that may affect the Fund’s investments and returns. Bond Connect is relatively new. Laws, rules, regulations, policies, notices, circulars or guidelines relating to Bond Connect (the “Applicable Bond Connect Regulations”) as published or applied by any of Bond Connect Authorities (as defined below) are untested and are subject to change from time to time. There can be no assurance that Bond Connect will not be restricted, suspended or abolished. If such event occurs, a Fund’s ability to invest in the CIBM through Bond Connect will be adversely affected. “Bond Connect Authorities” refers to the exchanges, trading systems, settlement systems, governmental, regulatory or tax bodies which provide services and/or regulate Bond Connect and activities relating to Bond Connect, including, without limitation, the PBOC, the HKMA, the HKEx, the CFETS, the CMU, the CCDC and the SHCH and any other regulator, agency or authority with jurisdiction, authority or responsibility in respect of Bond Connect.
Hedging activities under Bond Connect are subject to the Applicable Bond Connect Regulations and any prevailing market practice. There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to carry out hedging transactions at terms which are satisfactory to the investment manager of the Fund and to the best interest of the Fund. A Fund may also be required to unwind its hedge in unfavorable market conditions.
Potential lack of liquidity due to low trading volume of certain fixed income securities in the CIBM may result in prices of certain fixed income securities traded on such market fluctuating significantly, which may expose a Fund to liquidity risks. In addition, the fixed income securities traded in the CIBM may be difficult or impossible to sell, and this would affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of such securities at their intrinsic value.
Although delivery-versus-payment (“DVP”) settlement (e.g., simultaneous delivery of security and payment) is the dominant settlement method adopted by CCDC and SHCH for all bond transactions in the CIBM, there is no assurance that settlement risks can be eliminated. In addition, DVP settlement practices in the PRC may differ from practices in developed markets. In particular, such settlement may not be instantaneous and be subject to a delay of a period of hours. Where the counterparty does not perform its obligations under a transaction or there is otherwise a failure due to CCDC or SHCH (as applicable), a Fund may sustain losses.
It is contemplated that the mainland Chinese authorities will reserve the right to suspend Northbound trading of Bond Connect, if necessary for ensuring an orderly and fair market and that risks are managed prudently. The relevant PRC government authority may also impose “circuit breakers” and other measures to halt or suspend Northbound trading. Where a suspension in the Northbound trading through Bond Connect is effected, a Fund’s ability to access the CIBM bond market will be adversely affected.
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Under the prevailing Applicable Bond Connect Regulations, eligible foreign investors who wish to participate in Bond Connect may do so through an onshore settlement agent, offshore custody agent, registration agent or other third parties (as the case may be), who would be responsible for making the relevant filings and account opening with the relevant authorities. A Fund is therefore subject to the risk of default or errors on the part of such agents.
Trading through Bond Connect is performed through newly developed trading platforms and operational systems. There is no assurance that such systems will function properly (in particular, under extreme market conditions) or will continue to be adapted to changes and developments in the market. In the event that the relevant systems fails to function properly, trading through Bond Connect may be disrupted. A Fund’s ability to trade through Bond Connect (and hence to pursue its investment strategy) may therefore be adversely affected. In addition, where a Fund invests in the CIBM through Bond Connect, it may be subject to risks of delays inherent in the order placing and/or settlement.
For a Fund’s investment under Bond Connect, although there is no quota restriction under the Applicable Bond Connect Regulations, relevant information about the Fund’s investments needs to be filed with PBOC and an updating filing may be required if there is any significant change to the filed information. It cannot be predicted whether PBOC will make any comments on or require any changes with respect to such information for the purpose of filing. If so required, a Fund will need to follow PBOC instructions and make the relevant changes accordingly, which, may not be in the best interests of the Fund and the Fund’s investors from a commercial perspective.
The CMU is the “nominee holder” of the bonds acquired by a Fund through Bond Connect. Although the Applicable Bond Connect Regulations expressly provide that investors enjoy the rights and interests of the bonds acquired through Bond Connect in accordance with applicable laws, how a beneficial owner (such as a Fund) of the relevant bonds exercises and enforces its rights over such securities in the courts in China is yet to be tested. Even if the concept of beneficial ownership is recognized under Chinese law, those securities may form part of the pool of assets of such nominee holder, which may be available for distribution to creditors upon liquidation of such nominee holder, and accordingly a beneficial owner may have no rights whatsoever in respect thereof.
Northbound trading through Bond Connect is able to be undertaken on days upon which the CIBM is open to trade, regardless of whether they are a public holiday in the domicile of a Fund. Accordingly, it is possible that bonds traded through Bond Connect may be subject to fluctuation at times when a Fund is unable to buy or sell bonds, as its globally-based intermediaries are not available to assist with trades. Accordingly, this may cause a Fund to be unable to realize gains, avoid losses or to benefit from an opportunity to invest in mainland CIBM bonds at an attractive price.
CIBM bonds under Northbound Trading of Bond Connect will be traded and settled in RMB. If a Fund issues classes denominated in a currency other than RMB, the Fund will be exposed to currency risk if the Fund invests in a RMB product due to the need for the conversion of the currency into RMB. A Fund will also incur currency conversion costs. Even if the price of the RMB asset remains the same when a Fund purchases and redeems, the Fund will still incur a loss when it converts the redemption proceeds into local currency if RMB has depreciated. Also, as a Fund may either settle CIBM bonds using offshore RMB (“CNH”) or by converting offshore currency into onshore RMB (“CNY”), any divergence between CNH and CNY may adversely impact investors.
People’s Republic of China Tax Considerations
Corporate Income Tax
If the Fund is considered a tax resident enterprise of the PRC, it will be subject to PRC corporate income tax (“CIT”) at 25% on its worldwide taxable income. If the Fund is considered a non-tax resident enterprise with a permanent establishment or place or establishment of business (“PE”) in the PRC, the profits attributable to that PE would be subject to CIT at 25%. Under the PRC CIT Law effective from January 1, 2008 and its implementation rules, a non-PRC tax resident enterprise without a PE in the PRC will generally be subject to withholding income tax (“WIT”) of 10% on its PRC sourced income, including but not limited to passive income (e.g. dividends, interest, gains arising from transfer of assets, etc.).
The Fund is intended to be managed and operated in such a manner that the Fund should not be treated as a tax resident enterprise of the PRC or a non-PRC tax resident enterprise with a PE in the PRC for CIT purposes, although due to uncertainty in tax laws and practices in the PRC, this result cannot be guaranteed.
Interest
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Except for interest income from certain bonds (i.e., government bonds, local government bonds and railway bonds which are entitled to a 100% PRC CIT exemption and 50% PC CIT exemption respectively in accordance with the Implementation Rules to the Enterprise Income Tax Law and a circular dated March 19, 2016 on the Circular on Income Tax Policies on Interest Income from Railway Bonds under Caishui [2016] No. 30), non-PRC tax resident enterprises are subject to PRC WIT on the payment of interests on debt instruments issued by PRC tax resident enterprises, including bonds issued by enterprises established within the PRC. The general WIT rate applicable is 10%, subject to reduction under an applicable double tax treaty and agreement by the PRC tax authorities. Interest derived from government bonds issued by the in-charge Finance Bureau of the State Council and/or local government bonds approved by the State Council is exempt from PRC CIT under the PRC CIT Law.
On November 22, 2021, the Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation jointly issued Circular [2021] No. 34 (“Circular 34”) to clarify that foreign institutional investors (including foreign institutional investors under Bond Connect) are temporarily exempt from PRC WIT and value-added tax (“VAT”) with respect to bond interest income derived in the PRC bond market for the period from November 7, 2021 to December 31, 2025. As this exemption is only temporary according to Circular 34, it remains unclear whether such an exemption will also apply after December 31, 2025 or what the PRC tax treatment will be after this date. It still remains to be confirmed as to the PRC WIT and VAT treatment with respect to non-government bond interest derived prior to November 7, 2018, being the date on which the WIT and VAT exemption for foreign institutional investors with respect to bond interest income derived from PRC bonds was first introduced.
Dividend
Under the current PRC CIT Law and its implementation rules, non-PRC tax resident enterprises are subject to PRC WIT on cash dividends and bonus distributions from PRC tax resident enterprises. The general WIT rate applicable is 10%, subject to reduction under an applicable double tax treaty and agreement by the PRC tax authorities.
Capital Gain
Based on the CIT Law and its implementation rules, “income from the transfer of property” sourced from the PRC by non-PRC tax resident enterprises should be subject to 10% PRC WIT unless exempt or reduced under an applicable tax treaty and agreement by the PRC tax authorities. The Ministry of Finance (“MoF”), State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) and the CSRC issued joint circulars to clarify the taxation of the Programs, in which capital gain realized from the transfer of A-Shares is temporarily exempt from PRC WIT. The MoF, the SAT and the CSRC issued joint circulars Caishui [2014] No. 81 and Caishui [2016] No. 127 to clarify the taxation of the Programs, in which capital gain realized from the transfer of A-Shares via the Programs is temporarily exempt from PRC WIT.
Capital gains derived by non-resident institutional investors (with no place or establishment or permanent establishment in the PRC) from the trading of bonds through the Bond Connect are technically non-PRC-sourced income under the current CIT law and regulations, therefore, not subject to PRC CIT. While the PRC tax authorities are currently enforcing such non-taxable treatment in practice, there is a lack of clarity on such non-taxable treatment under the current CIT regulations.
VAT and Other Surcharges
According to the Circular Caishui [2016] 36 (“Circular 36”), VAT at 6% shall be levied on the difference between the selling and buying prices of those marketable securities.
The gains derived from trading of marketable securities (including A-Shares and other PRC listed securities) are exempted from VAT in the PRC under Circular 36 and Caishui [2016] No. 70. In addition, deposit interest income and interest received from government bonds and local government bonds are also exempt from VAT.
According to Circular 34, the foreign institutional investors are temporarily exempt from VAT with respect to bond interest income derived in the PRC bond market for the period from November 7, 2021 to December 31, 2025. However, there is no guarantee that such temporary tax exemption will continue to apply, will not be repealed and re-imposed retrospective, or that no new tax regulations and practice in China specifically relating to the PRC bond market will not be promulgated in the future. Dividend income or profit distributions on equity investment derived from PRC are not included in the taxable scope of VAT.
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In addition, urban maintenance and construction tax (currently at the rate ranging from 1% to 7%), educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 3%) and local educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 2%) are imposed based on the VAT liabilities.
Stamp Duty
Stamp duty under the PRC laws generally applies to the execution and receipt of all taxable documents listed in the PRC’s Provisional Rules on Stamp Duty. Stamp duty is generally imposed on the sale of PRC-listed shares at a rate of 0.1% of the sales consideration. The relevant Fund will be subject to this tax on each disposal of PRC listed shares. No stamp duty is expected to be imposed on non-PRC tax resident holders of government and corporate bonds, either upon issuance or upon a subsequent transfer of such bonds. Non-PRC tax resident shareholders will not be subject to PRC tax on distributions received from the Company or the relevant Fund, or on gains derived from the disposal of shares.
There can be no guarantee that no new tax laws, regulations and practice in the PRC specifically relating to the Programs or CIBM regime (as the case may be) may be promulgated in the future and may be applied retrospectively. The promulgation of such new laws, regulations and practice may operate to the advantage or disadvantage of the Shareholders due to the Company or the relevant Fund’s investments in the PRC market.
Investors should inform themselves of, and where appropriate consult their professional advisors on, the possible tax consequences of subscribing for, buying, holding, converting, redeeming or otherwise disposing of Shares under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence, or domicile or incorporation.
Investments in India
Securities of many issuers in the Indian market may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. domestic issuers, but may offer the potential for higher returns over the long term. Indian securities will generally be denominated in foreign currency, mainly the rupee. Accordingly, the value of the Fund will fluctuate depending on the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and such foreign currency. India has less developed clearance and settlement procedures, and there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities and have been significantly delayed. The Indian stock exchanges have in the past been subject to closure, broker defaults and broker strikes, and there can be no certainty that this will not recur. In addition, significant delays are common in registering transfers of securities and the Fund may be unable to sell securities until the registration process is completed and may experience delays in receipt of dividends and other entitlements.
The value of investments in Indian securities may also be affected by political and economic developments, social, religious or regional tensions, changes in government regulation and government intervention, high rates of inflation or interest rates and withholding tax affecting India. The risk of loss may also be increased because there may be less information available about Indian issuers since they are not subject to the extensive accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices which are applicable in North America. There is also a lower level of regulation and monitoring of the Indian securities market and its participants than in other more developed markets.
Foreign investment in the securities of issuers in India is usually restricted or controlled to some degree. In addition, the availability of financial instruments with exposure to Indian financial markets may be substantially limited by the restrictions on investments by persons resident outside of India under the Foreign Portfolio Investment regime.
India’s guidelines under which foreign investors may invest in Indian securities are evolving. There can be no assurance that these investment control regimes will not change in a way that makes it more difficult or impossible for a Fund to implement investment objective or repatriate its income, gains and initial capital from these countries. Similar risks and considerations will be applicable to the extent that a Fund invests in other countries. Recently, certain policies have served to restrict foreign investment, and such policies may have the effect of reducing demand for such investments.
India may require withholding on dividends paid on portfolio securities and on realized capital gains. In the past, these taxes have sometimes been substantial. There can be no assurance that restrictions on repatriation of a Fund’s income, gains or initial capital from India will not occur.
A high proportion of the shares of many issuers in India may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment. In addition, further issuances, or the perception that such issuances may occur, of securities by Indian issuers in which a Fund has invested could dilute the earnings per share of a Fund’s investment and could adversely affect
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the market price of such securities. Sales of securities by such issuer’s major shareholders, or the perception that such sales may occur, may also significantly and adversely affect the market price of such securities and, in turn, a Fund’s investment. The prices at which investments may be acquired may be affected by trading by persons with material non-public information and by securities transactions by brokers in anticipation of transactions by a Fund in particular securities. Similarly, volume and liquidity in the bond markets in India are less than in the United States and, at times, price volatility can be greater than in the United States. The limited liquidity of securities markets in India may also affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so. In addition, India’s securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities.
Political and economic structures in India are undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of the United States. The risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values of investments in India and the availability of additional investments. The laws in India relating to limited liability of corporate shareholders, fiduciary duties of officers and directors, and the bankruptcy of state enterprises are generally less well developed than or different from such laws in the United States. It may be more difficult to obtain or enforce a judgment in the courts in India than it is in the United States. Monsoons and natural disasters also can affect the value of investments.
Religious and border disputes persist in India. Moreover, India has from time to time experienced civil unrest and hostilities with neighboring countries such as Pakistan. The Indian government has confronted separatist movements in several Indian states. The longstanding dispute with Pakistan over the bordering Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, a majority of whose population is Muslim, remains unresolved. If the Indian government is unable to control the violence and disruption associated with these tensions, the results could destabilize the economy and consequently, adversely affect the Fund’s investments.
A Fund may use P-notes. Indian-based brokerages may buy Indian-based securities and then issue P-notes to foreign investors. Any dividends or capital gains collected from the underlying securities may be remitted to the foreign investors. However, unlike ADRs, notes are subject to credit risk based on the uncertainty of the counterparty’s (i.e., the Indian-based brokerage’s) ability to meet its obligations.
Investments in Japan
The Japanese economy may be subject to economic, political and social instability, which could have a negative impact on Japanese securities. In the past, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low, and it may remain low in the future. Furthermore, the Japanese economic growth rate could be impacted by Bank of Japan monetary policies, rising interest rates, tax increases, budget deficits, consumer confidence and volatility in the Japanese yen. At times, the Japanese economy has been adversely impacted by government intervention and protectionism, changes in its labor market, and an unstable financial services sector. International trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, government policy, natural disasters, an aging demographic and declining population and/or geopolitical developments associated with actual or potential conflicts with one or more countries in Asia could significantly affect the Japanese economy. Strained foreign relations with neighboring countries (China, South Korea, North Korea and Russia) may not only negatively impact the Japanese economy but also the geographic region as well as globally. A significant portion of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations and can be affected by conditions in these nations or by currency fluctuations. Japan is an island state with few natural resources and limited land area and is reliant on imports for its commodity needs. Any fluctuations or shortages in the commodity markets could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy. In addition, Japan's economy has in the past and could in the future be significantly impacted by natural disasters.
Investments in the Middle East and Africa
Certain countries in the region are in early stages of development. As a result, there may be a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries. Brokers may be fewer in number and less well capitalized than brokers in more developed regions. Certain economies in the region depend to a significant degree upon exports of commodities and are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices, which in turn may be affected by a variety of factors. In addition, certain governments in the region have exercised substantial influence over the private sector, including ownership or control of companies. Governmental actions in the future could have a significant economic impact. In
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particular, changes in investment policies or shifts in the prevailing political climate could result in the introduction of changes to government regulations with respect to price controls, export and import controls, income and other taxes, foreign ownership restrictions, foreign exchange and currency controls and labor and welfare benefit policies. Unexpected changes in these policies or regulations could lead to increased investment, operating or compliance expenses. Any such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Fund and the Adviser’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Certain armed conflict, territorial disputes, historical animosities, regional instability, terrorist activities and religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Such developments could have a negative effect on economic growth and could result in significant disruptions in the securities markets, including securities held by a Fund. Specific country risks that may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations are: potential political instability, riots or other forms of civil disturbance or violence; war, terrorism, invasion, rebellion or revolution; government interventions, including expropriation or nationalization of assets, increased protectionism and the introduction of tariffs or subsidies; changing fiscal and regulatory regimes; arbitrary or inconsistent Government action; inflation in local economies; cancellation, nullification or unenforceability of contractual rights; and underdeveloped industrial and economic infrastructure. In particular, since late 2010, there have been significant civil disturbances and events resulting from political turmoil affecting several countries in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) Region, which to date have led to the collapse, or near collapse, of the political regimes of Syria, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. There are on-going protests in other countries in the MENA Region, including strikes, demonstrations, marches and rallies. In addition, since late 2011 tensions between western nations and Iran in respect of Iran’s nuclear program have escalated, with Iran threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz and western nations implementing more severe economic sanctions against Iran. Such continuing instability and unrest in the MENA Region may significantly impact economies in the region. Such impacts could occur through a lower flow of foreign direct investment into the region, the outflow of expatriate residents or capital, or increased volatility in the global and regional financial markets. Certain Middle Eastern and African countries have currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar, which, if abandoned, could cause sudden and significant currency adjustments, which could impact the Fund’s investment returns in those countries. The legal systems, and the unpredictability thereof, in certain countries in the region also may have an adverse impact on the Fund and may expose the Fund to significant or unlimited liabilities. Investment in certain countries in the region by the Fund may be restricted or prohibited under applicable regulation, and the Fund, as a foreign investor, may be required to obtain approvals and may have to invest on less advantageous terms (including price) than nationals. A Fund’s investments in securities of a country in the region may be subject to economic sanctions or other government restrictions, which may negatively impact the value or liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Investments in the region may adversely impact the operations of the Fund through the delay of the Fund’s ability to exercise its rights as a security holder. Substantial limitations may exist in the region with respect to the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital gains or its investment. Securities which are subject to material legal restrictions on repatriation of assets will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund and subject to the limitations on illiquid investments.
Saudi Arabia. To the extent a Fund invests in securities issued by Saudi Arabian issuers, the Fund may be subject to the risk of investing in those issuers. Saudi Arabian issuers may be impacted by the Saudi Arabian economy, which is significantly tied to petroleum exports. As a result, a reduction in petroleum exports with key partners or in petroleum prices could have an overall impact on the Saudi Arabian economy. The Saudi Arabian economy also relies heavily on cheap, foreign labor, and changes in the availability of this labor supply could have an adverse effect on the economy.
Although liberalization in the wider Saudi Arabian economy is underway, the government of Saudi Arabia exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. Political instability in Saudi Arabia or instability in the larger Middle East region could adversely impact the economy of Saudi Arabia. Instability may be caused by, among other things: military developments; government interventions in the marketplace; terrorism; extremist attitudes; attempted social or political reforms; religious differences; and other factors. Additionally, anti-Western views held by certain groups in the Middle East may influence the government of Saudi Arabia’s policies regarding foreign investment. In addition, certain issuers located in Saudi Arabia may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer that operates in, or has dealings with, such countries. A Fund, as an investor in such issuers, will be indirectly subject to those risks. A Fund is also subject to the risk of expropriation or nationalization of assets and property or the risk of restrictions on foreign investments and repatriation of capital.
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The ability of foreign investors, including the Funds, to invest in Saudi Arabian issuers is relatively new and untested, and such ability may be revoked or restricted by the government of Saudi Arabia in the future, which may materially affect a Fund. A Fund may be unable to obtain or maintain the required licenses, which would affect the Fund’s ability to buy and sell securities at full value. Additionally, a Fund’s ownership of any single issuer listed on the Saudi Arabian Stock Exchange may be limited by the Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority (“CMA”). Major disruptions or regulatory changes may occur in the Saudi Arabian market, which could negatively impact the Funds.
The securities markets in Saudi Arabia may not be as developed as those in other countries. As a result, securities markets in Saudi Arabia are subject to greater risks associated with market volatility, lower market capitalization, lower trading volume, illiquidity, inflation, greater price fluctuations, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets, governmental control and heavy regulation of labor and industry. Shares of certain Saudi Arabian companies tend to trade less frequently than those of companies on exchanges in more developed markets, which may adversely affect the pricing of these securities and a Fund’s ability to sell these securities in the future. Current regulations in the Saudi Arabian securities markets may require a Fund to execute trades of securities through a single broker. As a result, the investment adviser will have less flexibility to choose among brokers on behalf of a Fund than is typically the case for investment managers.
A Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the investment adviser to maintain its status as a Qualified Foreign Investor (“QFI”) with the CMA and the Fund as a client of a QFI who has been approved by the CMA (“QFI Client”). Even if a Fund obtains QFI Client status, the Fund may not have an exclusive investment quota and will be subject to foreign investment limitations and other regulations imposed by the CMA on QFIs and QFI Clients (individually and in the aggregate), as well as local market participants. QFI regulations and local market infrastructure are relatively new and have not been tested and the CMA may discontinue the QFI regime at any time. Any change in the QFI system generally, including the possibility of the investment adviser or a Fund losing its QFI or QFI Client status, respectively, may adversely affect the Fund.
A Fund is required to use a trading account to buy and sell securities in Saudi Arabia. This trading account can be held directly with a broker or a custodian. Under the Independent Custody Model (“ICM”), securities are under the control of the custodian and would be recoverable in the event of the bankruptcy of the custodian. When a Fund utilizes the ICM approach, the Fund relies on a broker standing instruction letter to authorize the Fund’s sub-custodian to move securities to a trading account for settlement based on the details supplied by the broker. The risk of a fraudulent or erroneous transaction through the ICM approach is mitigated by the short trading hours in Saudi Arabia, a manual pre-matching process conducted by the custodian, which validates a Fund’s settlement instructions with the local broker contract note, and the transaction report from the depository. When a Fund utilizes a direct broker trading account, the account is set up in the Fund’s name and the assets are likely to be separated from any other accounts at the broker. However, if the broker defaults, there may be a delay to recovering the Fund’s assets that are held in the broker account and legal proceedings may need to be initiated in order to do so.
Investments in Latin America
As an emerging market, Latin America has long suffered from political, economic, and social instability. For investors, this has meant additional risk caused by periods of regional conflict, political corruption, totalitarianism, protectionist measures, nationalization, hyperinflation, debt crises, sudden and large currency devaluation, and intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres. However, democracy is beginning to become well established in some countries. A move to a more mature and accountable political environment is well under way. Domestic economies have been deregulated, privatization of state-owned companies is almost completed and foreign trade restrictions have been relaxed. Nonetheless, to the extent that events such as those listed above continue in the future, they could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization, and removal of trade barriers, and result in significant disruption in securities markets in the region. Investors in the region continue to face a number of potential risks. Governments of many Latin American countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. Governmental actions and political instability in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in Latin American countries, which could affect the companies in which a Fund invests and, therefore, the value of Fund shares. Other Latin American investment risks may include inadequate investor protection, less developed regulatory, accounting, auditing and financial standards, unfavorable changes in laws or regulations, pandemics, natural disasters, corruption and military activity.
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Certain Latin American countries may experience sudden and large adjustments in their currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors. In addition, some Latin American currencies have experienced steady devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar and certain Latin American countries have had to make major adjustments in their currencies from time to time. Certain Latin American countries may impose restrictions on the free conversion of their currency into foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. There is no significant foreign exchange market for many currencies and it would, as a result, be difficult for certain Funds to engage in foreign currency transactions designed to protect the value of the Funds’ interests in securities denominated in such currencies.
International economic conditions, particularly those in the United States, as well as world prices for oil and other commodities may also influence certain Latin American economies. Because commodities such as oil, gas, minerals and metals represent a significant percentage of the region’s exports, the economies of Latin American countries are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices. As a result, the economies in many of these countries can experience significant volatility.
Almost all of the region’s economies have become highly dependent upon foreign credit and loans from external sources to fuel their state-sponsored economic plans. Government profligacy and ill-conceived plans for modernization have exhausted these resources with little benefit accruing to the economy and most countries have been forced to restructure their loans or risk default on their debt obligations. In addition, interest on the debt is subject to market conditions and may reach levels that would impair economic activity and create a difficult and costly environment for borrowers. Accordingly, these governments may be forced to reschedule or freeze their debt repayment, which could negatively affect the stock market. Latin American economies that depend on foreign credit and loans could fall into recession because of tighter international credit supplies in a global economic crisis.
Substantial limitations may exist in certain countries with respect to a Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.
Certain Latin American countries have entered into regional trade agreements that are designed to, among other things, reduce barriers between countries, increase competition among companies and reduce government subsidies in certain industries. No assurance can be given that these changes will be successful in the long term, or that these changes will result in the economic stability intended. There is a possibility that these trade arrangements will not be fully implemented, or will be partially or completely unwound. It is also possible that a significant participant could choose to abandon a trade agreement, which could diminish its credibility and influence. Any of these occurrences could have adverse effects on the markets of both participating and non-participating countries, including sharp appreciation or depreciation of participants’ national currencies and a significant increase in exchange rate volatility, a resurgence in economic protectionism, an undermining of confidence in the Latin American markets, an undermining of Latin American economic stability, the collapse or slowdown of the drive towards Latin American economic unity, and/or reversion of the attempts to lower government debt and inflation rates that were introduced in anticipation of such trade agreements. Such developments could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments in Latin America generally or in specific countries participating in such trade agreements.
Terrorism and related geo-political risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on world economies and markets generally.
Investments in Russia
Investing in Russian securities is highly speculative and involves significant risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities markets of the U.S. and most other developed countries.
Over the past century, Russia has experienced political, social and economic turbulence and has endured decades of communist rule under which the property of tens of millions of its citizens was collectivized into state agricultural and industrial enterprises. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s government has been faced with the daunting task of stabilizing its domestic economy, while transforming it into a modern and efficient structure able to compete in international markets and respond to the needs of its citizens. However, to date, many of the country’s economic reform initiatives have not been successful. In this environment, there is the risk that the Russian government will alter its political and economic policies in ways that would be detrimental to the interests of foreign investors.
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Recently, the Russian government has asserted its regional geopolitical influence, including through military measures, which has increased tensions both with Russia’s neighbors and with other countries. Further possible actions by Russia could lead to greater adverse impact for the Russian economy.
Many of Russia’s businesses have failed to mobilize the available factors of production because the country’s privatization program virtually ensured the predominance of the old management teams that are largely non-market-oriented in their management approach. Poor accounting standards, inept management, pervasive corruption, insider trading and crime, and inadequate regulatory protection for the rights of investors all pose a significant risk, particularly to foreign investors. In addition, there is the risk that the Russian tax system will be enforced inconsistently or in an arbitrary manner or that exorbitant taxes will be imposed.
Compared to most national stock markets, the Russian securities market suffers from a variety of problems not encountered in more developed markets. There is little long-term historical data on the Russian securities market because it is relatively new and a substantial proportion of securities transactions in Russia are privately negotiated outside of stock exchanges. The inexperience of the Russian securities market and the limited volume of trading in securities in the market may make obtaining accurate prices on portfolio securities from independent sources more difficult than in more developed markets. Additionally, because of less stringent auditing and financial reporting standards that apply to companies operating in Russia, there is little solid corporate information available to investors. As a result, it may be difficult to assess the value or prospects of an investment in Russian companies. Stocks of Russian companies also may experience greater price volatility than stocks of U.S. companies.
Settlement, clearing and registration of securities transactions in Russia are subject to additional risks because of the recent formation of the Russian securities market, the underdeveloped state of the banking and telecommunications systems, and the overall legal and regulatory framework. Prior to 2013, there was no central registration system for equity share registration in Russia and registration was carried out by either the issuers themselves or by registrars located throughout Russia. Such registrars were not necessarily subject to effective state supervision nor were they licensed with any governmental entity, thereby increasing the risk that a Fund could lose ownership of its securities through fraud, negligence, or even mere oversight. With the implementation of the National Settlement Depository (“NSD”) in Russia as a recognized central securities depository, title to Russian equities is now based on the records of the Depository and not the registrars. Although the implementation of the NSD has enhanced the efficiency and transparency of the Russian securities market, issues resulting in loss still might occur. In addition, issuers and registrars are still prominent in the validation and approval of documentation requirements for corporate action processing in Russia. Because the documentation requirements and approval criteria vary between registrars and/or issuers, there remain unclear and inconsistent market standards in the Russian market with respect to the completion and submission of corporate action elections. To the extent that a Fund suffers a loss relating to title or corporate actions relating to its portfolio securities, it may be difficult for the Fund to enforce its rights or otherwise remedy the loss.
The Russian economy is heavily dependent upon the export of a range of commodities including most industrial metals, forestry products, oil, and gas. Accordingly, it is strongly affected by international commodity prices and is particularly vulnerable to any weakening in global demand for these products. Over the long-term, Russia faces challenges including a shrinking workforce, high levels of corruption, difficulty in accessing capital for smaller, non-energy companies, and poor infrastructure in need of large investments.
Foreign investors also face a high degree of currency risk when investing in Russian securities and a lack of available currency hedging instruments. In addition, there is a risk that the government may impose capital controls on foreign portfolio investments in the event of extreme financial or political crisis. Such capital controls would prevent the sale of a portfolio of foreign assets and the repatriation of investment income and capital. These risks may cause flight from the ruble into U.S. dollars and other currencies.
The United States and the European Union have in the past, and may in the future, impose sanctions on certain Russian entities and individuals and certain sectors of Russia’s economy, which may result in, among other things, the devaluation of Russian currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating, and/or a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities, property or interests. The United States and other nations or international organizations may impose additional economic sanctions or take other actions that may adversely affect Russia-exposed issuers and companies in various sectors of the Russian economy, including, but not limited to, the financials, energy, metals and mining, engineering, and defense and defense-related materials sectors. These sanctions, or even the threat of further sanctions, may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble or other adverse
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consequences to the Russian economy. These sanctions could also result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities and/or funds invested in prohibited assets, impairing the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities and/or assets.
Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine and has been the subject of economic sanctions imposed by countries throughout the world, including the United States. Any retaliatory actions by Russia may further impair the value and liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio and potentially disrupt its operations. Uncertainty as to future relations between Russia and the United States or the European Union may also cause a decline in the value of a Fund’s shares.
Terrorism and related geo-political risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on world economies and markets generally.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Each Fund may employ non-hedging risk management techniques. Risk management strategies are used to keep the Funds fully invested and to reduce the transaction costs associated with cash flows into and out of a Fund. The Funds use a wide variety of instruments and strategies for risk management and the examples below are not meant to be exhaustive.
Examples of risk management strategies include synthetically altering the duration of a portfolio or the mix of securities in a portfolio. For example, if the Adviser wishes to extend maturities in a fixed income portfolio in order to take advantage of an anticipated decline in interest rates, but does not wish to purchase the underlying long-term securities, it might cause a Fund to purchase futures contracts on long term debt securities. Likewise, if the Adviser wishes to gain exposure to an instrument but does not wish to purchase the instrument it may use swaps and related instruments. Similarly, if the Adviser wishes to decrease exposure to fixed income securities or purchase equities, it could cause the Fund to sell futures contracts on debt securities and purchase futures contracts on a stock index. Such non-hedging risk management techniques involve leverage, and thus, present, as do all leveraged transactions, the possibility of losses as well as gains that are greater than if these techniques involved the purchase and sale of the securities themselves rather than their synthetic derivatives.
LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Funds (other than the Money Market Funds), have adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”) under Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Liquidity Risk Management Rule”). Effective October 31, 2021, the Program has been amended for all non-Money Market Funds with the exception of the Access Balanced Fund and Access Growth Fund (collectively, the “Access Funds”) to reflect the exemptions from certain provisions of the Liquidity Risk Management Rule and certain reporting requirements as permitted by the Exemptive Order issued by the SEC to the Funds on January 21, 2021 (the “Exemptive Order”). Under the Program, the Funds limit Illiquid Investments that are assets to 15% of the Fund’s net assets (“Illiquid Limit”) and report to the Board and SEC within specified time periods of a Fund exceeding its 15% Illiquid Limit. For the Access Funds, “Illiquid Investments” are defined under the Liquidity Risk Management Rule as any investment the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in 7 calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. For purposes of determining compliance with the Illiquid Limit, only Illiquid Investments that have positive values are used in the numerator, and Illiquid Investments with negative values should not be netted against Illiquid Investments with positive values. For all other Funds, an “Illiquid Investment” is defined pursuant to the Exemptive Order as any portfolio investment that the Fund reasonably expects could not be sold within three trading days without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.
SPECIAL FACTORS AFFECTING CERTAIN FUNDS
In addition to the investment strategies and policies described above, certain Funds may employ other investment strategies and policies, or similar strategies and policies to a greater extent, and, therefore, may be subject to additional risks or similar risks to a greater extent. For instance, certain Funds which invest in certain state specific securities may be subject to special considerations regarding such investments. For a description of such additional investment strategies and policies as well as corresponding risks for such Funds, see Part I of this SAI.
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RISK RELATED TO MANAGEMENT OF CERTAIN SIMILAR FUNDS
The name, investment objective and policies of certain Funds are similar to other funds advised by the adviser or its affiliates. However, the investment results of a Fund may be higher or lower than, and there is no guarantee that the investment results of the Fund will be comparable to, any other of these funds.
DIVERSIFICATION
Certain Funds are diversified funds and as such intend to meet the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act. Please refer to the Funds’ SAI Part I for information about whether a Fund is a diversified or non-diversified Fund. Current 1940 Act diversification requirements require that with respect to 75% of the assets of a Fund, the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except cash or cash items, obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and securities of other investment companies. As for the other 25% of a Fund’s assets not subject to the limitation described above, there is no limitation on investment of these assets under the 1940 Act, so that all of such assets may be invested in securities of any one issuer. Investments not subject to the limitations described above could involve an increased risk to a Fund should an issuer be unable to make interest or principal payments or should the market value of such securities decline.
Each of the Money Market Funds intends to comply with the diversification requirements imposed by Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act.
Certain other Funds are registered as non-diversified investment companies. A Fund is considered “non-diversified” because a relatively high percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of a single issuer or a limited number of issuers, primarily within the same economic sector. A non-diversified Fund’s portfolio securities, therefore, may be more susceptible to any single economic, political, or regulatory occurrence than the portfolio securities of a more diversified investment company.
Regardless of whether a Fund is diversified under the 1940 Act, all of the Funds will comply with the diversification requirements imposed by the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company. See “Distributions and Tax Matters.”
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
The following discussion is a brief summary of some of the important federal (and, where noted, state) income tax consequences affecting each Fund and its shareholders. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Except as otherwise noted in a Fund’s Prospectus, the Funds are not intended for foreign shareholders. As a result, this section does not address in detail the tax consequences affecting any shareholder who, as to the U.S., is a nonresident alien individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership. This section is based on the Code, the regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The following tax discussion is very general; therefore, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors about the impact an investment in a Fund may have on their own tax situations and the possible application of foreign, state and local law.
Each Fund generally will be treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes, and thus the provisions of the Code generally will be applied to each Fund separately. Net long-term and short-term capital gain, net income and operating expenses therefore will be determined separately for each Fund.
Special tax rules apply to investments held through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund intends to elect to be treated and qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other things:
(a)
derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gain from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gain from
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options, swaps, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (“QPTPs,” defined below);
(b)
diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities, limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (x) in the securities (other than cash or cash items, or securities issued by the U.S. government or other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more QPTPs. In the case of a Fund’s investments in loan participations, the Fund shall treat both the financial intermediary and the issuer of the underlying loan as an issuer for the purposes of meeting this diversification requirement; and
(c)
distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid — generally, taxable ordinary income and any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such taxable year.
In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (defined as a partnership (x) interests in which are traded on an established securities markets or readily tradable on a secondary market as the substantial equivalents thereof, (y) that derives at least 90% of its income from passive income sources defined in Section 7704(d) of the Code, and (z) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (a)(i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. Although income from a QPTP is qualifying income, as discussed above, investments in QPTPs cannot exceed 25% of the Fund’s assets. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP.
Gains from foreign currencies (including foreign currency options, foreign currency swaps, foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% test, described in paragraph (a) above. However, the Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly with retroactive effect) excluding from the definition of “qualifying income” a fund’s foreign currency gains to the extent that such income is not directly related to the fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities.
For purposes of paragraph (b) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a QPTP. A Fund’s investment in MLPs may qualify as an investment in (1) a QPTP, (2) a “regular” partnership, (3) a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) or (4) a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The treatment of particular MLPs for U.S. federal income tax purposes will affect the extent to which a Fund can invest in MLPs. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of a Fund’s investments in “PFICs” and “regular” partnerships are discussed in greater detail below.
If a Fund qualifies for a taxable year as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, defined below). If a Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to taxation on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gain, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and for treatment as qualified dividend income in the case of individual shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gain, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.
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Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and may distribute its net capital gain (that is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Investment company taxable income which is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate tax rates. A Fund might also retain for investment its net capital gain. If a Fund does retain such net capital gain, such gain will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their respective shares of the undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their respective shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of a Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend, its taxable income and its earnings and profits, a Fund may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, or if there is no net capital loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after that date) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, (i) net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, plus (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies
If a Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. The Funds intend to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax, although each Fund reserves the right to pay an excise tax rather than make an additional distribution when circumstances warrant (e.g., the excise tax amount is deemed by a Fund to be de minimis). Certain derivative instruments give rise to ordinary income and loss. If a Fund has a taxable year that begins in one calendar year and ends in the next calendar year, the Fund will be required to make this excise tax distribution during its taxable year. There is a risk that a Fund could recognize income prior to making this excise tax distribution and could recognize losses after making this distribution. As a result, all or a portion of an excise tax distribution could constitute a return of capital (see discussion below).
Fund Distributions
The Funds anticipate distributing substantially all of their net investment income for each taxable year. Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gain earned by the Fund before a shareholder’s investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in shares will be treated as having received a dividend equal to the amount of cash that the shareholder would have received if such shareholder had elected to receive the distribution in cash.
Dividends and distributions on a Fund’s shares generally are subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may represent economically a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Such dividends and distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects gains that are either (i) unrealized, or (ii) realized but not distributed.
For federal income tax purposes, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gain are determined by how long a Fund owned the investment that generated it, rather than how long a shareholder may have owned shares in the Fund. Distributions of net capital gain from the sale of investments that a Fund owned for more than one year and that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gain. Distributions of capital gain generally are made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or
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20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A distribution of gain from the sale of investments that a Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions attributable to gain from the sale of MLPs that is characterized as ordinary income under the Code’s recapture provisions will be taxable as ordinary income.
Distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet certain holding-period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio, and the shareholder must meet certain holding-period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment interest for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) or (b) treated as a PFIC. The amount of a Fund’s distributions that would otherwise qualify for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities or high portfolio turnover rate.
In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a non-corporate taxable shareholder so long as the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. In any event, if the qualified dividend income received by each Fund during any taxable year is equal to or greater than 95% of its “gross income,” then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than dividends that are properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only gain included in the term “gross income” is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss.
If a Fund receives dividends from an underlying fund, and the underlying fund reports such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” then the Fund may, in turn, report a portion of its distributions as “qualified dividend income” as well, provided the Fund meets the holding-period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying fund.
Under recently issued Treasury regulations, certain distributions reported by a Fund as section 163(j) interest dividends may be treated as interest income by shareholders for purposes of the tax rules applicable to interest expense limitations under Code section 163(j). Such treatment by the shareholder is generally subject to holding period requirements and other potential limitations, although the holding period requirements are generally not applicable to dividends declared by money market funds and certain other funds that declare dividends daily and pay such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. The amount that a Fund is eligible to report as a Section 163(j) dividend for a tax year is generally limited to the excess of the Fund’s business interest income over the sum of the Fund’s (i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.
Any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received by the shareholder with respect to those shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed if other shares of such Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
A distribution paid to shareholders by a Fund in January of a year generally is deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31 of the preceding year, if the distribution was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October, November, or December of that preceding year. The Funds will provide federal tax information annually, including information about dividends and distributions paid during the preceding year to taxable investors and others requesting such information.
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If a Fund makes a distribution to its shareholders in excess of its current and accumulated “earnings and profits” in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of each shareholder’s basis (for tax purposes) in its shares, and any distribution in excess of basis will be treated as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces the shareholder’s basis in its shares, which reduces the loss (or increases the gain) on a subsequent taxable disposition by such shareholder of the shares.
Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders (other than shareholders that are S corporations) of a Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (1) if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be “debt-financed” (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), (2) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (3) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of a Fund or (2) by application of the Code. However, any distributions received by a Fund from REITs and PFICs will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction. The amount eligible for the dividends received deduction may also be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities or high portfolio turnover rate.
Certain distributions reported by a Fund as section 163(j) interest dividends may be treated as interest income by shareholders for purposes of the tax rules applicable to interest expense limitations under Code section 163(j). Such treatment by the shareholder is generally subject to holding period requirements and other potential limitations, although the holding period requirements are generally not applicable to dividends declared by money market funds and certain other funds that declare dividends daily and pay such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. The amount that a Fund is eligible to report as a Section 163(j) dividend for a tax year is generally limited to the excess of the Fund’s business interest income over the sum of the Fund’s (i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares, but excluding any exempt interest dividends from a Fund) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Sale or Redemption of Shares
The sale, exchange, or redemption of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received on (or undistributed capital gains credited with respect to) such shares. Additionally, any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares with a tax holding period of six months or less may be disallowed to the extent of any distributions treated as exempt interest dividends with respect to such shares. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Capital gain of a corporate shareholder is taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.
With respect to the Prime Money Market Fund, shareholders may elect to adopt a simplified “NAV method” for computing gains and losses from taxable sales, exchanges or redemptions of Fund shares. Under the NAV method, rather than computing gain or loss separately for each taxable disposition of Fund shares as described above, a shareholder would determine gain or loss based on the change in the aggregate value of the shareholder’s Fund shares during a computation period (which could be the shareholder’s taxable year or certain shorter periods), reduced by the shareholder’s net investment
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(purchases minus taxable sales, exchanges, or redemptions or exchanges) in those Fund shares during that period. Under the NAV method, if a shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset, any resulting net gain or loss would be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
Fund Investments
Certain investments of the Funds, including transactions in options, swaptions, futures contracts, forward contracts, straddles, swaps, short sales, foreign currencies, inflation-linked securities and foreign securities, including for hedging purposes, will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). In a given case, these rules may accelerate income to a Fund, defer losses to a Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of a Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gain into short-term capital gain, convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital loss, or otherwise affect the character of a Fund’s income. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders and cause differences between a Fund’s book income and its taxable income. If a Fund’s book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund’s book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment. Income earned as a result of these transactions would, in general, not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or for treatment as exempt-interest dividends when distributed to shareholders. The Funds will endeavor to make any available elections pertaining to such transactions in a manner believed to be in the best interest of each Fund and its shareholders.
The Fund’s participation in loans of securities may affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders. With respect to any security subject to a securities loan, any (i) amounts received by the Fund in place of dividends earned on the security during the period that such security was not directly held by the Fund will not give rise to qualified dividend income and (ii) withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such security was not directly held by the Fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by the Fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders even if the Fund meets the requirements described in “Foreign Taxes,” below.
Certain debt securities purchased by the Funds are sold at an original issue discount and thus do not make periodic cash interest payments. Similarly, zero-coupon bonds do not make periodic interest payments. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount is treated as interest income and is included in taxable income (and required to be distributed) over the term of the debt security even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. In addition, payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income that is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. Because each Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income to its shareholders (including such imputed interest), a Fund may have to sell portfolio securities in order to generate the cash necessary for the required distributions. Such sales may occur at a time when the Adviser would not otherwise have chosen to sell such securities and may result in a taxable gain or loss. Some of the Funds may invest in inflation-linked debt securities. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked debt security will be original issue discount, which is taxable as ordinary income and is required to be distributed, even though the Fund will not receive the principal, including any increase thereto, until maturity. A Fund investing in such securities may be required to liquidate other investments, including at times when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements and to eliminate any possible taxation at the Fund level. Certain debt securities that may be acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
A Fund may invest to a significant extent in debt obligations that are in the lowest rated categories (or are unrated), including debt obligations of issuers that are not currently paying interest or that are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of being in default (or are presently in default) present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions
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may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by each Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income taxation or any excise tax.
A Fund’s investments in foreign currencies, foreign currency denominated debt securities and certain options, futures or forward foreign currency contracts (and similar instruments) will be subject to special tax rules. Generally, transactions in foreign currencies give rise to ordinary income or loss. An election under Section 988(a)(1)(B) may be available to treat foreign currency gain or loss attributable to certain forward, futures and option contracts as capital, including certain “foreign currency contracts.” A “foreign currency contract” is a contract that (1) requires delivery of, or settlement of, a foreign currency that is a currency in which positions are also traded through regulated futures contracts, (2) is traded in the interbank market, and (3) is entered into at an arm’s-length price determined by reference to the price in the interbank market. If this Section 988(a)(1)(B) election is made, foreign currency contracts are treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss under the Section 1256 mark-to-market rules. All other forward contracts under this 988(a)(1)(B) election would be characterized as capital and generally gain or loss would be recognized when the contract is closed and completed. Other rules apply to options, futures or forward foreign currency contracts that may be part of a straddle or a Section 988 hedging transaction within the meaning of Code Section 988(d). Proposed regulations also permit an election to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for currency gains and losses with respect to certain transactions. The elective method of accounting takes into account currently only changes in the value of the transaction attributable to exchange rate fluctuations and does not take into account changes in value due to other factors, such as changes in market interest rates. The election does not apply in certain cases, including with respect to any securities that are marked to market under any other provision.
Special tax considerations apply if a Fund invests in investment companies that are taxable as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. In general, the Fund will not recognize income earned by such an investment company until the close of the investment company’s taxable year. But the Fund will recognize such income as it is earned by the investment company for purposes of determining whether it is subject to the 4% excise tax. Therefore, if the Fund and such an investment company have different taxable years, the Fund may be compelled to make distributions in excess of the income recognized from such an investment company in order to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax. A Fund’s receipt of a non-liquidating cash distribution from an investment company taxable as a partnership generally will result in recognized gain (but not loss) only to the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds the Fund’s adjusted basis in shares of such investment company before the distribution. A Fund that receives a liquidating cash distribution from an investment company taxable as a partnership will recognize capital gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received by the Fund and the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in shares of such investment company; however, the Fund will recognize ordinary income, rather than capital gain, to the extent that the Fund’s allocable share of “unrealized receivables” (including any accrued but untaxed market discount) exceeds the shareholder’s share of the basis in those unrealized receivables.
Some amounts received by each Fund with respect to its investments in MLPs will likely be treated as a return of capital because of accelerated deductions available with respect to the activities of such MLPs. On the disposition of an investment in such an MLP, the Fund will likely realize taxable income in excess of economic gain with respect to that asset (or, if the Fund does not dispose of the MLP, the Fund likely will realize taxable income in excess of cash flow with respect to the MLP in a later period), and the Fund must take such income into account in determining whether the Fund has satisfied its distribution requirements. The Fund may have to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its distribution requirements and to meet its redemption requests, even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the Fund to sell securities or borrow money at such time.
Some of the Funds may invest in REITs. Such investments in REIT equity securities may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. In order to generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. A Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at other times result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes such amounts, such distribution could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.
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Tax reform legislation established a 20% deduction for qualified business income. Under this provision, which is effective for taxable years beginning in 2018 and, without further legislation, will sunset for taxable years beginning after 2025, individuals, trusts, and estates generally may deduct (the “Deduction”) 20% of “qualified business income,” which includes all ordinary REIT dividends (“Qualifying REIT Dividends”) and certain income from investments in MLPs (“MLP Income”). Treasury regulations permit a RIC to pass through to its shareholders Qualifying REIT Dividends eligible for the deduction. However, the regulations do not provide a mechanism for a RIC to pass through to its shareholders MLP Income that would be eligible for such deduction. It is uncertain whether future legislation or other guidance will enable a RIC to pass through the special character of MLP Income to the RIC’s shareholders.
A Fund might invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPS”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have not yet been issued (but may apply with retroactive effect) a portion of a Fund’s income from a REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a REMIC or a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income taxation in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as each of the Funds, will generally be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC or TMP residual interest directly.
In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions) and (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income. In addition, because the Code provides that excess inclusion income is ineligible for treaty benefits, a regulated investment company must withhold tax on excess inclusions attributable to its foreign shareholders at a 30% rate of withholding, regardless of any treaty benefits for which a shareholder is otherwise eligible.
Any investment in residual interests of a CMO that has elected to be treated as a REMIC can create complex tax problems, especially if the Fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders. Under current law, the Fund serves to block UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder will recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in REMIC residual interests or TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT, as defined in Section 664 of the Code, that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the U.S., a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Funds have not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a Fund.
If a Fund invests in PFICs, certain special tax consequences may apply. A PFIC is any foreign corporation in which (i) 75% or more of the gross income for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that
Part II - 93
produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose includes dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active business and certain income received from related persons. A Fund’s investments in certain PFICs could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. In addition, certain interest charges may be imposed on the Fund as a result of such distributions.
If a Fund is in a position to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), the Fund will be required to include in its gross income its share of the company’s income and net capital gain annually, regardless of whether it receives any distributions from the company. Alternately, a Fund may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gain and loss are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may have the effect of accelerating the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increasing the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections, therefore, may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. A Fund that invests indirectly in PFICs by virtue of the Fund’s investment in other investment companies that qualify as “U.S. persons” within the meaning of the Code may not make a QEF election; rather, such underlying investment companies investing directly in the PFICs would decide whether to make such election. Furthermore, the IRS recently issued final regulations that generally treat a Fund’s income inclusion with respect to a PFIC with respect to which the Fund has made a qualified electing fund, or “QEF,” election, as qualifying income for purposes of determining the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC if either if (A) there is a current distribution out of the earnings and profits of the PFIC that are attributable to such income inclusion or (B) such inclusion is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.”
Certain Funds have wholly-owned subsidiaries organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which are classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each, a “Subsidiary”). With respect to such Funds, a Fund may invest a portion of its assets in its Subsidiary. A foreign corporation, such as a Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless it is deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. It is expected that each Subsidiary will conduct its activities in a manner so as to meet the requirements of a safe harbor provided under Section 864(b)(2) of the Code under which the Subsidiary may engage in trading in stocks or securities or certain commodities without being deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, if certain of a Subsidiary’s activities were determined not to be of the type described in the safe harbor (which is not expected), then the activities of the Subsidiary may constitute a U.S. trade or business, and subject to U.S. taxation as such.
In general, a foreign corporation, such as a Subsidiary, that does not conduct a U.S. trade or business is nonetheless subject to tax at a flat rate of 30 percent (or lower tax treaty rate), generally payable through withholding, on the gross amount of certain U.S.-source income that is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. There is presently no tax treaty in force between the U.S. and the Cayman Islands that would reduce this rate of withholding tax. It is not expected that a Subsidiary will derive meaningful income subject to such withholding tax.
Each Subsidiary will be treated as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) and the Fund investing in its Subsidiary will be treated as a “U.S. shareholder” of that Subsidiary. As a result, a Fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of its Subsidiary’s “subpart F income,” whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income.” A Fund’s recognition of its Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to a Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of its previously undistributed “subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income earned by a Fund and such loss cannot be carried forward to offset taxable income of a Fund or the Subsidiary in future periods. The IRS recently issued final regulations that generally treat a Fund’s income inclusion with respect to a CFC as qualifying income for
Part II - 94
purposes of determining the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC either if (A) there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the CFC that are attributable to such income inclusion or (B) such inclusion is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies.
The ability of a Fund to invest directly in commodities, and in certain commodity-related securities and other instruments, is subject to significant limitations in order to enable a Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Code.
Investment in Other Funds
If a Fund invests in shares of other mutual funds, ETFs or other companies that are taxable as regulated investment companies, as well as certain investments in REITs (collectively, “underlying funds”), its distributable income and gains will normally consist, in part, of distributions from the underlying funds and gains and losses on the disposition of shares of the underlying funds. To the extent that an underlying fund realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses (so as to offset distributions of net income or capital gains from other underlying funds) until it disposes of shares of the underlying fund. Moreover, even when the Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as a short-term capital loss or an ordinary deduction. In particular, the Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of underlying fund shares against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gain realized by an underlying fund).
In addition, in certain circumstances, the “wash sale” rules under Section 1091 of the Code may apply to a Fund’s sales of underlying fund shares that have generated losses. A wash sale occurs if shares of an underlying fund are sold by the Fund at a loss and the Fund acquires substantially identical shares of that same underlying fund 30 days before or after the date of the sale. The wash-sale rules could defer losses in the Fund’s hands on sales of underlying fund shares (to the extent such sales are wash sales) for extended (and, in certain cases, potentially indefinite) periods of time.
As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, the amount of net investment income and net capital gain that each Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders may be greater than what such amounts would have been had the Fund directly invested in the securities held by the underlying funds, rather than investing in shares of the underlying funds. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds.
If a Fund received dividends from an underlying fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the underlying fund reports such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as “qualified dividend income,” provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying fund.
Depending on a Fund’s percentage ownership in an underlying fund, both before and after a redemption, a redemption of shares of an underlying fund by a Fund may cause the Fund to be treated as distribution taxable as a dividend under the Code, to the extent of its allocable shares of earnings and profits, on the full amount of the distribution instead of receiving capital gain income on the shares of the underlying fund. Such a distribution may be treated as qualified dividend income and thus eligible to be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. If qualified dividend income treatment is not available, the distribution may be taxed as ordinary income. This could cause shareholders of the Fund to recognize higher amounts of ordinary income than if the shareholders had held the shares of the underlying funds directly.
A Fund may elect to pass through to shareholders foreign tax credits from an underlying fund and exempt-interest dividends from an underlying fund, provided that at least 50% of the Fund’s total assets are invested in other regulated investment companies at the end of each quarter of the taxable year.
Backup Withholding
Each Fund generally is required to backup withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable dividends and other distributions paid to, and the proceeds of share sales, exchanges, or redemptions made by, any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails
Part II - 95
to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to backup withholding. The backup withholding rules may also apply to distributions that are properly reported as exempt-interest dividends. The backup withholding tax rate is 24%.
Foreign Shareholders
Shares of the Funds have not been registered for sale outside of the United States. This SAI is not intended for distribution to prospective investors outside of the United States. The Funds generally do not market or sell shares to investors domiciled outside of the United States, even, with regard to individuals, if they are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States.
Distributions properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends generally will not be subject to withholding of federal income tax. However, exempt-interest dividends may be subject to backup withholding (as discussed above). In general, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code (a “foreign person”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding. However, the Fund will not be required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (w) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (x) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (y) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (z) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the Fund (“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests (as described below)) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the Fund (“short-term capital gain dividends”). Depending on the circumstances, a Fund may make reporting of interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends with respect to all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from withholding. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports with respect to a payment. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends or exempt-interest dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States or (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met or (iii) the shares constitute “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) or the Capital Gain Dividends are attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of USRPIs in accordance with the rules set forth below.
Special rules apply to distributions to foreign shareholders from a Fund that is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions to the definition thereof described below. Additionally, special rules apply to the sale of shares in a Fund that is a USRPHC. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds U.S. real property interests (“USRPIs”) — USRPIs are defined as any interest in U.S. real property or any equity interest in a USRPHC — the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States and certain other assets. A Fund that holds (directly or indirectly) significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. The special rules discussed in the next paragraph will also generally apply to distributions from a Fund that would be a USRPHC absent exclusions from USRPI treatment for interests in domestically controlled REITs or regulated investment companies and not-greater-than-10% or interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs or regulated investment companies, respectively.
Part II - 96
In the case of a Fund that is a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions from the definition of USRPI (described immediately above), distributions by the Fund that are attributable to (a) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund and (b) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands will retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund’s foreign shareholders. If the foreign shareholder holds (or has held in the prior year) more than a 5% interest in the Fund, such distributions will be treated as gains “effectively connected” with the conduct of a “U.S. trade or business,” and subject to tax at graduated rates. Moreover, such shareholders will be required to file a U.S. income tax return for the year in which the gain was recognized and the Fund will be required to withhold 21% of the amount of such distribution. In the case of all other foreign shareholders (i.e., those whose interest in the Fund did not exceed 5% at any time during the prior year), the USRPI distribution will be treated as ordinary income (regardless of any reporting by the Fund that such distribution is a short-term capital gain dividend or a Capital Gain Dividend), and the Fund must withhold 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) of the amount of the distribution paid to such foreign shareholder. Foreign shareholders of a Fund are also subject to “wash sale” rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and -payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.
In addition, a Fund that is a USRPHC must typically withhold 15% of the amount realized in a redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, and that shareholder must file a U.S. income tax return for the year of the disposition of the USRPI and pay any additional tax due on the gain. No withholding is generally required with respect to amounts paid in redemption of shares of a Fund if the Fund is a domestically controlled USRPHC or, in certain limited cases, if the Fund (whether or not domestically controlled) holds substantial investments in regulated investment companies that are domestically controlled USRPHCs.
In order to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, the foreign investor must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an applicable IRS Form W-8 or substitute form). Foreign investors in a Fund should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
If a shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States.
A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal tax on income referred to above. Foreign shareholders in a Fund should consult their tax advisors with respect to the potential application of the above rules.
A Fund is required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to a Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
Foreign Taxes
Certain Funds may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gain) received from sources within foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of a Fund’s assets at year-end consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes. A shareholder’s ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, as a result of which a shareholder may not get a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes. In particular, shareholders must hold their Fund shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 additional days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a given dividend. Shareholders who do not itemize on their federal income tax
Part II - 97
returns may claim a credit (but no deduction) for such foreign taxes. Any foreign taxes withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest with respect to loaned securities will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.
If a Fund does not make the above election or if more than 50% of its assets at the end of the year do not consist of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund’s net income will be reduced by the foreign taxes paid or withheld. In such cases, shareholders will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes.
The foregoing is only a general description of the treatment of foreign source income or foreign taxes under the U.S. federal income tax laws. Because the availability of a credit or deduction depends on the particular circumstances of each shareholder, shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors.
Exempt-Interest Dividends
Some of the Funds intend to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends to their respective shareholders. In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, at least 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets must consist of tax-exempt municipal bonds at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year. An exempt-interest dividend is that part of a dividend that is properly designated as an exempt-interest dividend and that consists of interest received by a Fund on such tax-exempt securities. Shareholders of Funds that pay exempt-interest dividends would not incur any regular federal income tax on the amount of exempt-interest dividends received by them from a Fund, but an investment in such a Fund may result in liability for federal and state alternative minimum taxation and may be subject to state and local taxes.
Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder, whether a corporation or an individual, to purchase or carry shares of a Fund is not deductible to the extent it relates to exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder from that Fund. Any loss incurred on the sale or redemption of a Fund’s shares held for six months or less may be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares.
Interest on certain tax-exempt bonds that are private activity bonds within the meaning of the Code is treated as a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, and any such interest received by a Fund and distributed to shareholders will be so treated for purposes of any alternative minimum tax liability of shareholders to the extent of the dividend’s proportionate share of a Fund’s income consisting of such interest.
The exemption from federal income tax for exempt-interest dividends does not necessarily result in exemption for such dividends under the income or other tax laws of any state or local authority. Shareholders that receive social security or railroad retirement benefits should consult their tax advisors to determine what effect, if any, an investment in a Fund may have on the federal taxation of their benefits.
From time to time legislation may be introduced or litigation may arise that would change the tax treatment of exempt-interest dividends. Such legislation or litigation may have the effect of raising the state or other taxes payable by shareholders on such dividends. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors for the current federal, state and local law on exempt-interest dividends.
State and Local Tax Matters
Depending on the residence of the shareholders for tax purposes, distributions may also be subject to state and local taxation. Rules of state and local taxation regarding qualified dividend income, ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends from regulated investment companies may differ from the rules of U.S. federal income tax in many respects. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Funds.
Most states provide that a regulated investment company may pass through (without restriction) to its shareholders state and local income tax exemptions available to direct owners of certain types of U.S. government securities (such as U.S. Treasury obligations). Thus, for residents of these states, distributions derived from a Fund’s investment in certain types of U.S. government securities should be free from state and local income taxation to the extent that the interest income from such investments would have been exempt from state and local taxes if such securities had been held directly by the respective shareholders. Certain states, however, do not allow a regulated investment company to pass through to its shareholders the state and local income tax exemptions available to direct owners of certain types of U.S. government securities unless a Fund holds at least a required amount of U.S. government securities. Accordingly, for residents of these states, distributions derived from a Fund’s investment in certain types of U.S.
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government securities may not be entitled to the exemptions from state and local income taxes that would be available if the shareholders had purchased U.S. government securities directly. The exemption from state and local income taxes does not preclude states from asserting other taxes on the ownership of U.S. government securities. To the extent that a Fund invests to a substantial degree in U.S. government securities which are subject to favorable state and local tax treatment, shareholders of the Fund will be notified as to the extent to which distributions from the Fund are attributable to interest on such securities.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations
If a shareholder realizes a loss on disposition of a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
General Considerations
The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the specific federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of shares of each of the Funds, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax law and any proposed tax law changes.
TRUSTEES
The names of the Trustees of the Trusts, together with information regarding their year of birth, the year each Trustee first became a Board member of any of the Funds overseen by the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board or any of the heritage J.P. Morgan Funds or heritage One Group Mutual Funds (as defined below), principal occupations and other board memberships, are shown below. The contact address for each of the Trustees is 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172.
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Name (Year of Birth; Term of Office,
and Length of Time Served)(1)
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
(or longer)
Number of Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2)
Other Trusteeships/
Directorships Held
During the Past 5 Years
(or longer)(3)
Independent Trustees
 
 
 
John F. Finn
(1947); Chair, since 2020;
Trustee, since 1998.
Chairman, Gardner,
Inc. (supply chain
management company
serving industrial and
consumer markets)
(serving in various
roles 1974–present).
170
Director, Greif, Inc.
(GEF) (industrial
package products and
services) (2007–present);
Trustee, Columbus
Association for the
Performing Arts (1988-
present).
Stephen P. Fisher
(1959); Trustee, since 2018.
Retired; Chairman and
Chief Executive
Officer, NYLIFE
Distributors LLC
(registered broker-
dealer) (serving in
various roles 2008-
2013); Chairman,
NYLIM Service
Company LLC
(transfer agent) (2008-
2017); New York Life
Investment
Management LLC
(registered investment
adviser) (serving in
various roles 2005-
2017); Chairman,
IndexIQ Advisors LLC
(registered investment
adviser for ETFs)
(2014-2017); President,
MainStay VP Funds
Trust (2007-2017),
MainStay DefinedTerm
Municipal
Opportunities Fund
(2011-2017) and Main-
Stay Funds Trust
(2007-2017) (registered
investment companies).
170
Honors Program
Advisory Board
Member, The Zicklin
School of Business,
Baruch College, The
City University of New
York (2017-present).
Gary L. French
(1951); Trustee, since 2014.
Real Estate Investor
(2011-2020);
Investment
management industry
Consultant and Expert
Witness (2011-present);
Senior Consultant for
The Regulatory
Fundamentals Group
LLC (2011-2017).
170
Independent Trustee, The
China Fund, Inc. (2013-
2019); Exchange Traded
Concepts Trust II (2012-
2014); Exchange Traded
Concepts Trust I (2011-
2014).
Part II - 100
Name (Year of Birth; Term of Office,
and Length of Time Served)(1)
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
(or longer)
Number of Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2)
Other Trusteeships/
Directorships Held
During the Past 5 Years
(or longer)(3)
Kathleen M. Gallagher
(1958); Trustee, since 2018.
Retired; Chief
Investment Officer –
Benefit Plans, Ford
Motor Company
(serving in various
roles 1985-2016).
170
Non-Executive Director,
Legal & General
Investment Management
(Holdings) (2018-
present); Non-Executive
Director, Legal &
General Investment
Management America
(U.S. Holdings)
(financial services and
insurance) (2017-
present); Advisory Board
Member, State Street
Global Advisors Total
Portfolio Solutions
(2017-present); Member,
Client Advisory Council,
Financial Engines, LLC
(registered investment
adviser) (2011-2016);
Director, Ford Pension
Funds Investment
Management Ltd. (2007-
2016).
Robert J. Grassi
(1957); Trustee, since 2014.
Sole Proprietor,
Academy Hills
Advisors LLC (2012-
present); Pension
Director, Corning
Incorporated (2002-
2012).
170
None.
Frankie D. Hughes
(1952); Trustee, since 2008.
President, Ashland
Hughes Properties
(property management)
(2014–present);
President and Chief
Investment Officer,
Hughes Capital
Management, Inc.
(fixed income asset
management) (1993–
2014).
170
None.
Part II - 101
Name (Year of Birth; Term of Office,
and Length of Time Served)(1)
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
(or longer)
Number of Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2)
Other Trusteeships/
Directorships Held
During the Past 5 Years
(or longer)(3)
Raymond Kanner
(1953); Trustee, since 2017.
Retired; Managing
Director and Chief
Investment Officer,
IBM Retirement Funds
(2007–2016).
170
Advisory Board
Member, Penso
Advisors, LLC (2020-
present); Advisory Board
Member, Los Angeles
Capital (2018-present);
Advisory Board
Member, State Street
Global Advisors Total
Portfolio Solutions
(2017-present); Acting
Executive Director,
Committee on
Investment of Employee
Benefit Assets (CIEBA)
(2016-2017); Advisory
Board Member,
Betterment for Business
(robo advisor) (2016–
2017); Advisory Board
Member, BlueStar
Indexes (index creator)
(2013–2017); Director,
Emerging Markets
Growth Fund (registered
investment company)
(1997-2016); Member,
Russell Index Client
Advisory Board (2001-
2015).
Thomas P. Lemke
(1954); Trustee, since 2014.
Retired since 2013.
170
(1) Independent Trustee
of Advisors’ Inner Circle
III fund platform,
consisting of the
following: (i) the
Advisors’ Inner Circle
Fund III, (ii) the Gallery
Trust, (iii) the Schroder
Series Trust, (iv) the
Delaware Wilshire
Private Markets Fund
(since 2020), (v) Chiron
Capital Allocation Fund
Ltd., and (vi) formerly
the Winton Diversified
Opportunities Fund
(2014-2018); and (2)
Independent Trustee of
the Symmetry Panoramic
Trust (since 2018).
Lawrence R. Maffia
(1950); Trustee, since 2014.
Retired; Director and
President, ICI Mutual
Insurance Company
(2006-2013).
170
Director, ICI Mutual
Insurance Company
(1999-2013).
Part II - 102
Name (Year of Birth; Term of Office,
and Length of Time Served)(1)
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
(or longer)
Number of Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2)
Other Trusteeships/
Directorships Held
During the Past 5 Years
(or longer)(3)
Mary E. Martinez
(1960); Vice Chair, since 2021;
Trustee, since 2013.
Associate, Special
Properties, a Christie’s
International Real
Estate Affiliate (2010–
present); Managing
Director, Bank of
America (asset
management) (2007–
2008); Chief Operating
Officer, U.S. Trust
Asset Management,
U.S. Trust Company
(asset management)
(2003–2007);
President, Excelsior
Funds (registered
investment companies)
(2004–2005).
170
None.
Marilyn McCoy
(1948); Trustee, since 1999.
Retired; Vice President
of Administration and
Planning, Northwestern
University (1985–
2023).
170
None.
Dr. Robert A. Oden, Jr.
(1946); Trustee, since 1997.
Retired; President,
Carleton College
(2002–2010);
President, Kenyon
College (1995–2002).
170
Trustee, The Coldwater
Conservation Fund;
Trustee, American
Museum of Fly Fishing
(2013–present); Trustee
and Vice Chair, Trout
Unlimited (2017-2021);
Trustee, Dartmouth-
Hitchcock Medical
Center (2011–2020).
Marian U. Pardo
(1946); Trustee, since 2013.
Managing Director and
Founder, Virtual
Capital Management
LLC (investment
consulting) (2007–
present); Managing
Director, Credit Suisse
Asset Management
(portfolio manager)
(2003–2006).
170
Board Chair and
Member, Board of
Governors, Columbus
Citizens Foundation
(not-for-profit
supporting philanthropic
and cultural programs)
(2006–present).
Part II - 103
Name (Year of Birth; Term of Office,
and Length of Time Served)(1)
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
(or longer)
Number of Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2)
Other Trusteeships/
Directorships Held
During the Past 5 Years
(or longer)(3)
Emily A. Youssouf
(1951); Trustee, since 2014.
Adjunct Professor
(2011-present) and
Clinical Professor
(2009-2011), NYU
Schack Institute of Real
Estate; Board Member
and Member of the
Audit Committee
(2013-present), Chair
of Finance Committee
(2019-present),
Member of Related
Parties Committee
(2013-2018) and
Member of the
Enterprise Risk
Committee (2015-
2018), PennyMac
Financial Services,
Inc.; Board Member
(2005-2018), Chair of
Capital Committee
(2006-2016), Chair of
Audit Committee
(2005-2018), Member
of Finance Committee
(2005-2018) and Chair
of IT Committee
(2016-2018), NYC
Health and Hospitals
Corporation.
170
Trustee, NYC School
Construction Authority
(2009-present); Board
Member, NYS Job
Development Authority
(2008-present); Trustee
and Chair of the Audit
Committee of the Transit
Center Foundation
(2015-2019).
Interested Trustees
 
 
 
Robert F. Deutsch(4)
(1957); Trustee, since 2014.
Retired; Head of ETF
Business for JPMorgan
Asset Management
(2013-2017); Head of
Global Liquidity
Business for JPMorgan
Asset Management
(2003-2013).
170
Treasurer and Director of
the JUST Capital
Foundation (2017-
present).
Nina O. Shenker(4)
(1957); Trustee, since 2022.
Vice Chair (2017-
2021), General Counsel
and Managing Director
(2008-2016), Associate
General Counsel and
Managing Director
(2004-2008), J.P.
Morgan Asset & Wealth
Management.
170
Director and Member of
Legal and Human
Resources
Subcommittees,
American Jewish Joint
Distribution Committee
(2018-present).
(1)
Trustees serve an indefinite term, until resignation, retirement, removal or death. The Board’s current retirement policy sets retirement at the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee attains the age of 75, provided that any Board member who was a member of the Mutual Fund Board prior to January 1, 2022 and was born prior to January 1, 1950 shall retire from the Board at the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee attains the age of 78.
Part II - 104
(2)
A Fund Complex means two or more registered investment companies that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services or have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies. The J.P. Morgan Funds Complex for which the Board of Trustees serves currently includes nine registered investment companies (170 J.P. Morgan Funds).
(3)
Directorships held in: (i) any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended the “Securities Exchange Act”), (ii) subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, or (ii) any company registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, which are required to be disclosed in this SAI. In addition, certain other directorships not meeting the aforementioned requirements may be included for certain Trustees such as board positions on non-profit organizations. The Trustees may hold various other directorships unrelated to the Fund Complex.
(4)
Designation as an “Interested Trustee” is based on prior employment by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser or interests in a control person of the Adviser.
The Board of Trustees decides upon general policies and is responsible for overseeing the business affairs of the Trusts.
Qualifications of Trustees
The Governance Committee and the Board consider the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills of each Trustee to determine whether the person should serve as a Trustee of the Trusts. The Governance Committee and the Board consider the commitment that each Trustee has demonstrated in serving on the Board, including the significant time each Trustee devotes to preparing for meetings and active engagement and participation at Board meetings. The Governance Committee and the Board consider the character of each Trustee and each Trustee’s commitment to executing his or her duties as a Trustee with diligence, honesty and integrity. The Governance Committee and the Board consider the contributions that each Trustee makes to the Board in terms of experience, leadership, independence and the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other Board members.
The Governance Committee also considers each Trustee’s significant and relevant experience and knowledge with respect to registered investment companies and asset management, including the additional experience that each of the Trustees has gained as a result of his or her service on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board. Additionally, the Governance Committee and the Board consider each Trustee’s experience with respect to reviewing the Funds’ agreements with service providers, including the Funds’ investment advisers, custodian, and fund accountant.
The Governance Committee and the Board consider the experience and contribution of each Trustee in the context of the Board’s leadership and committee structure. The Board has seven committees including: the Audit and Valuation Committee, the Compliance Committee, the Governance Committee, the Equity Committee, the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee, the Fixed Income Committee, and the ETF Committee. The Equity Committee, the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee and the Fixed Income Committee are collectively referred to as the “Investment Committees.” Each Trustee, except the Chairman of the Board, serves on one of the Board’s investment committees, allowing the Board to effectively evaluate information for the Funds in the complex in a focused and disciplined manner.
The Governance Committee also considers the overall diversity of the Board’s composition. The Governance Committee believes the Board generally benefits from diversity of backgrounds, experiences and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board and potential nominees. In considering potential nominees, the Committee values diversity based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, and other attributes. The Governance Committee expects to assess the effectiveness of the policy as part of the annual self-assessment process of the Board.
The Governance Committee also considers the operational efficiencies achieved by having a single Board for the Funds and the other registered investment companies overseen by the Adviser and its affiliates, as well as the extensive experience of certain Trustees in serving on Boards for registered investment companies advised by subsidiaries or affiliates of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and/or Bank One Corporation (known as “heritage J.P. Morgan Funds” or “heritage One Group Mutual Funds”).
In reaching its conclusion that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee of the Trusts, the Board also considered the following additional specific qualifications, contributions and experience of the following Trustees:
Independent Trustees
Part II - 105
John F. Finn. Mr. Finn has served as the Chair of the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served as Chair of the Mutual Fund Board since January 2020 and is also Chair of the Governance Committee and a member of the ETF Committee. He has served as a member of the Mutual Fund Board since 2005 and previously was a member of the heritage One Group Mutual Funds Board since 1998. Mr. Finn is the Chairman at Gardner, Inc., a supply chain management company that serves industrial and consumer markets. Mr. Finn has experience with board functions through his current positions as a Director for Greif, Inc. (industrial package products and services) and as a Trustee for Columbus Association for the Performing Arts. Until June 2014, Mr. Finn was the head of the Mutual Fund Board’s Strategic Planning Working Group, comprised of Independent Trustees, which worked with the administrator to the Trusts on initiatives related to efficiency and effectiveness of Board materials and meetings.
Stephen P. Fisher. Mr. Fisher has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the Mutual Fund Board since 2018 and is also Chair of the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Compliance Committee. He retired after a 30-year career in the investment management industry, including most recently serving as President of New York Life Investment Management LLC (NYLIM) and the MainStay Funds group. In addition, until his retirement, he served as Chairman of NYLIM Service Company LLC (a transfer agent), Chairman and CEO of NYLIFE Distributor LLC (a registered broker-dealer) and Chairman of IndexIQ Advisors LLC (an investment adviser for the IndexIQ ETFs). As President of NYLIM, Mr. Fisher oversaw all operational aspects of NYLIM’s mutual fund and ETF clients, which included functioning as a liaison to the boards of the funds. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Fisher was involved in governance matters at NYLIM, including serving on the NYLIM Investment Governance Committee, the NYLIM Risk Steering Committee and the NYLIM Compliance Committee.
Gary L. French. Mr. French has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the ETF Board since 2014. Mr. French is a member of the Audit and Valuation Committee and the Equity Committee. Mr. French has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry and related fields, including serving in various leadership roles with large financial institutions that operated and administered services to investment companies. He has familiarity with a variety of financial, accounting, investment, regulatory and operational matters through his prior experience (including as Senior Vice President and Business Head in the Fund Administration Division at State Street Bank) and through other positions held during his career in the investment management industry. He also gained experience serving as an independent director and officer of several other registered investment companies.
Kathleen M. Gallagher. Ms. Gallagher has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the Mutual Fund Board since 2018. Ms. Gallagher is Chair of the Audit and Valuation Committee and a member of the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. She retired after a 30-year career as a finance professional in the automotive industry, including most recently as the Chief Investment Officer – Benefit Plans at Ford Motor Company (Ford), where she led Ford’s global pension de-risking investment strategy. In addition, Ms. Gallagher served as the Director of Global Risk Management, Corporate Treasury at Ford and as the Vice President of Finance at Ford Australia. During Ms. Gallagher’s career at Ford, she gained experience managing investment management and service provider relationships, and she frequently worked with Ford’s Board of Directors to recommend investment strategies and review performance. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director for Legal & General Investment Management (Holdings) and for Legal & General Investment Management America (U.S. Holdings) and as an advisory board member for State Street Global Advisors’ Total Portfolio Solutions business. She previously served as a member of the Client Advisory Council for Financial Engines, LLC and as a director of Ford Pension Funds Investment Management Ltd.
Robert J. Grassi. Mr. Grassi has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the ETF Board since 2014. Mr. Grassi is a member of the ETF Committee and the Fixed Income Committee. Mr. Grassi has over 30 years of experience in a variety of business and financial matters, including experience in senior management positions. He has familiarity with a variety of financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters through his prior experience (including as Director of Pensions and Investments at Corning Incorporated) and through his current position as Sole Proprietor of Academy Hills Advisors LLC, an investment consulting firm. Mr. Grassi is licensed as an Investment Advisory Representative and is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist.
Frankie D. Hughes. Ms. Hughes has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the Mutual Fund Board since 2008. Ms. Hughes is a member of the Compliance Committee and the Fixed Income Committee. Ms. Hughes has significant experience in the
Part II - 106
asset management industry, previously serving as President and Chief Investment Officer of Hughes Capital Management, Inc. from 1993-2014. Ms. Hughes is currently the President of Ashland Hughes Properties, a property management company, and she has held such position since 2014.
Raymond Kanner. Mr. Kanner has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the Mutual Fund Board since 2017. Mr. Kanner is Chair of the Equity Committee and a member of the Audit and Valuation Committee. Mr. Kanner retired after a 31-year career in the finance industry including most recently as the Chief Investment Officer for the IBM Retirement Funds. He started his career with IBM in 1978, joined IBM’s Credit Corporation in 1985 and moved to the Retirement Funds in 1993. During his career at IBM, Mr. Kanner gained experience overseeing substantial investments in all asset classes, including equities, fixed income and alternatives. Since his retirement and until 2017, he served as the Acting Executive Director of the Committee on Investment of Employee Benefit Assets (CIEBA). He previously served as a director of an emerging markets equity fund and as an advisory board member to Betterment for Business and to BlueStar Indexes. He currently serves as an advisory board member for State Street Global Advisors’ Total Portfolio Solutions business, Los Angeles Capital and Penso Advisors. Mr. Kanner served as a member of the Compliance Committee and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee until December 31, 2018.
Thomas P. Lemke. Mr. Lemke has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the ETF Board since 2014. Mr. Lemke is a member of the Compliance Committee and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. Mr. Lemke has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, including experience in various senior management positions with financial services firms in addition to multiple years of service with a regulatory agency and a major law firm. In addition, he has a background in internal controls, including legal, compliance, internal audit, risk management, and fund administration. He has also gained experience as an independent director of other registered investment companies, including his current position with each of The Advisors’ Inner Circle III and Symmetry Panoramic Trust. Mr. Lemke also is co-author of a number of treatises on the regulation of the investment management industry.
Lawrence R. Maffia. Mr. Maffia has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the ETF Board since 2014. Mr. Maffia is a member of the Audit and Valuation Committee and the Equity Committee. Mr. Maffia has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including positions held at a public auditing firm and various other positions in the mutual fund industry. He has familiarity with a variety of financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters through his prior experience (including as President and Company Director at ICI Mutual Insurance Company, a provider of D&O/E&O liability insurance and fidelity bonding for the U.S. mutual fund industry, and his prior positions as chief financial officer of Stein Roe & Farnham Mutual Funds and chief operations officer of Stein Roe & Farnham Mutual Funds’ transfer agent).
Mary E. Martinez. Ms. Martinez has served as Vice-Chair of the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served as the Vice-Chair of the Mutual Fund Board since January 2021 and is a member of the ETF Committee, the Governance Committee and the Fixed Income Committee. She has served as a member of the Mutual Fund Board since January 2013. She has over 25 years of experience in asset management, wealth management and private banking services. She served as Managing Director of Asset Management at Bank of America (which acquired U.S. Trust Company (“U.S. Trust”) in 2007). Ms. Martinez served in various roles at U.S. Trust, including President of the Excelsior Funds, member of U.S. Trust’s Executive Management Committee, Chief Executive Officer and President of U.S. Trust Private Bank, and Chief Operating Officer of Asset Management where she had responsibility for product development, management, infrastructure and operating oversight. Prior to that she was Head of Products/Services/Strategic-Planning-Alternative & Asset/Wealth Management at Bessemer Trust Company and a member of their Executive Management Committee. Ms. Martinez is a real estate investor/adviser and a Realtor Associate with Special Properties.
Marilyn McCoy. Ms. McCoy has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the Mutual Fund Board since 2005 and previously was a member of the heritage One Group Mutual Funds Board since 1999. She has served on the boards of the Pegasus Funds and the Prairie Funds. Ms. McCoy is a member of the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee and the Governance Committee. Until 2023, Ms. McCoy served as the Vice President of Administration and Planning at Northwestern University for over 30 years, where she managed strategic planning, program review, information and analytics, executive level searches, and other programs and initiatives. Ms. McCoy also oversaw Northwestern University’s Board of Trustees function and supported the University’s President.
Part II - 107
Dr. Robert A. Oden Jr. Dr. Oden has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the Mutual Fund Board since 2005 and previously was a member of the heritage One Group Mutual Funds Board since 1997. Dr. Oden is the Chair of the Fixed Income Committee and a member of the Governance Committee. He retired after a long career in the education industry, previously serving as the President of Carleton College from 2002 to 2010 and as the President of Kenyon College from 1995 to 2002. Prior to that, Dr. Oden was the Headmaster of the Hotchkiss School from 1989 to 1995 and a Professor at Dartmouth College from 1975 to 1989. Dr. Oden currently serves as a Trustee of The Coldwater Conservation Fund, as Vice Chair of the American Museum of Fly Fishing and as a member of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Advancement Committee, and he previously served as a Trustee of American University in Cairo, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Trout Unlimited.
Marian U. Pardo. Ms. Pardo has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the Mutual Fund Board since February 2013. Ms. Pardo is Chair of the Compliance Committee and a member of the Equity Committee. Ms. Pardo has been in the financial services industry since 1968, with experience in investment management, banking and lending. She is a Managing Director and founder of Virtual Capital Management LLC, an investment consulting firm. She has extensive experience with respect to portfolio management, the J.P. Morgan Funds’ investment advisory business and banking and investment management, and previously served as a portfolio manager for equity funds across the capitalization spectrum. In connection with prior employment with JPMorgan Chase, Ms. Pardo was the recipient of non-qualified pension plan payments from JPMorgan Chase in the amount of approximately $2,055 per month, which she irrevocably waived effective January 1, 2013, and deferred compensation payments from JPMorgan Chase in the amount of approximately $7,294 per year, which ended in January 2013. In addition, Ms. Pardo receives payments from a fully-funded qualified plan, which is not an obligation of JPMorgan Chase.
Emily A. Youssouf. Ms. Youssouf has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the ETF Board since 2014. Ms. Youssouf is a member of the ETF Committee and the Fixed Income Committee. Ms. Youssouf has extensive experience in strategic planning, financial analysis and regulatory matters from her over 30 years of business experience in the financial services and housing finance industries and related fields. She currently serves on the Board of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (where she serves as Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee), the NYC School Construction Authority, and the NYS Job Development Authority (where she also serves as a member of the Audit Committee) and as an Adjunct Professor at the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate. Her prior business experience includes executive level positions at Merrill Lynch, Prudential Securities and Credit Suisse. She also served as President of the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Vice Chair of the New York City Housing Authority, a Board Member of the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (where she served as the Chair of the Audit Committee, Chair of the IT Committee and Member of the Finance Committee) and as a Trustee of the Transit Center Foundation (where she served as Chair of the Audit Committee).
Interested Trustees
Robert F. Deutsch. Mr. Deutsch has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022 and previously served on the ETF Board since 2014. Mr. Deutsch is Chair of the ETF Committee and a member of the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. Mr. Deutsch has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has substantial mutual fund background and is experienced with financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters through his tenure at J.P. Morgan Asset Management1 (“JPMAM”) including his prior positions as head of the ETF Business and as head of the Global Liquidity Business. Prior roles also include National Sales Manager for the J.P. Morgan Mutual Funds and Client Advisor at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Mr. Deutsch is considered an “interested” Trustee based on interests in JPMorgan Chase resulting from his prior employment at JPMAM.
Nina O. Shenker. Ms. Shenker has served on the Unified J.P. Morgan Funds Board since January 2022. Ms. Shenker is a member of the ETF Committee and the Fixed Income Committee. Ms. Shenker has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has substantial experience and expertise with mutual funds and ETFs across legal, compliance, operations, risk and controls, fiduciary, governance, product and business strategy and government and regulatory affairs. She has served as Vice Chair and as
1
J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the marketing name for the asset management businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Those businesses include, but are not limited to, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
Part II - 108
global General Counsel for J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management (“JPMAWM”). Prior to joining the JPMorgan Legal Department in 2001, Ms. Shenker was President of the Pierpont Group, the independent staff for the JPMorgan Mutual Funds Trustees and, prior to that, she was General Counsel and Senior Vice President at J. & W. Seligman & Co., an investment management firm. Ms. Shenker has also been actively engaged with industry associations. She also is actively engaged in supporting not-for-profit organizations’ governance and oversight. Ms. Shenker is considered an “interested” Trustee based on her prior employment at J.P. Morgan.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board decides upon general policies and is responsible for overseeing the business affairs of the Funds.
The Board currently has structured itself in a manner that allows it to effectively perform its oversight function. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee, which allows him to carry out his leadership duties as Chair with objectivity.
In addition, the Board has adopted a committee structure that allows it to effectively perform its oversight function for all of the Funds. As described under “Qualifications of Trustees” and “Standing Committees,” the Board currently has seven committees: the Audit and Valuation Committee, the Compliance Committee, the Governance Committee, the ETF Committee, the Equity Committee, the Fixed Income Committee and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. The Board has determined that the current leadership and committee structure is appropriate for the Funds and allows the Board to effectively and efficiently evaluate issues that impact the Funds as a whole as well as issues that are unique to each Fund.
The Board and the Committees take an active role in overseeing the risk associated with registered investment companies including investment risk, compliance and valuation. In addition, the Board receives regular reports from the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), JPMIM in its capacity both as administrator for the Funds and as investment adviser to the Funds (“Administrator” and “Adviser”, as applicable), and the internal audit department of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Chief Risk Officer of Investment Management Americas and Alternatives of JPMAM including reports concerning operational controls that are designed to address market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk among others. The Board also receives regular reports from personnel responsible for JPMAM’s business resiliency and disaster recovery.
In addition, the Board, the Equity Committee, the Fixed Income Committee, and the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee meet regularly with representatives of the Adviser and an independent consultant to review and evaluate the ongoing performance of the Funds. Each of these three Committees reports these reviews to the full Board. The Audit and Valuation Committee is responsible for oversight of the performance of the Fund’s audit, accounting and financial reporting policies, practices and internal controls and valuation policies, assisting the Board in its oversight of the valuation of the Funds’ securities by the Adviser, overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Funds’ independent audit and the financial statements of the Funds, and acting as a liaison between the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. The Compliance Committee is responsible for oversight of the Funds’ compliance with legal, regulatory and contractual requirements and compliance with policy and procedures. The Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, oversight of matters relating to the Funds’ corporate governance obligations, Fund service providers and litigation. The ETF Committee is responsible for, among other things, oversight of the J.P. Morgan ETFs with regard to the J.P. Morgan ETFs’ operational, legal, regulatory and contractual requirements relating to or impacting J.P. Morgan ETFs. At each quarterly meeting, each of the Governance Committee, the ETF Committee, the Audit and Valuation Committee and the Compliance Committee report their committee proceedings to the full Board. This Committee structure allows the Board to efficiently evaluate a large amount of material and effectively fulfill its oversight function. Annually, the Board considers the efficiency of this committee structure.
Additional information about each of the Committees is included below in “Standing Committees.”
Standing Committees
The Board of Trustees has seven standing committees: (i) the Audit and Valuation Committee, (ii) the Compliance Committee, (iii) the Governance Committee, (iv) the Equity Committee, (v) the ETF Committee, (vi) the Fixed Income Committee, and (vii) the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee.
Part II - 109
The members of each Committee are set forth below: 
Name of Committee
Members
Committee Chair
Audit and Valuation Committee
Ms. Gallagher
Mr. Maffia
Mr. French
Mr. Kanner
Ms. Gallagher
Compliance Committee
Ms. Pardo
Mr. Fisher
Ms. Hughes
Mr. Lemke
Ms. Pardo
Governance Committee
Mr. Finn
Ms. Martinez
Ms. McCoy
Dr. Oden
Mr. Finn
ETF Committee
Mr. Deutsch
Mr. Finn
Mr. Grassi
Ms. Martinez
Ms. Shenker
Ms. Youssouf
Mr. Deutsch
Equity Committee
Mr. Kanner
Mr. French
Mr. Maffia
Ms. Pardo
Mr. Kanner
Fixed Income Committee
Dr. Oden
Mr. Grassi
Ms. Hughes
Ms. Martinez
Ms. Shenker
Ms. Youssouf
Dr. Oden
Money Market and Alternative
Products Committee
Mr. Fisher
Mr. Deutsch
Ms. Gallagher
Mr. Lemke
Ms. McCoy
Mr. Fisher
Audit and Valuation Committee. The Audit and Valuation Committee operates pursuant to a written charter. It is composed entirely of Independent Trustees. The purposes of the Audit and Valuation Committee are to: (i) appoint and determine compensation of the Funds’ independent accountants; (ii) evaluate the independence of the Funds’ independent accountants; (iii) oversee the performance of the Funds’ audit, accounting and financial reporting policies, practices and internal controls and valuation policies; (iv) approve non-audit services, as required by the statutes and regulations administered by the SEC, including the 1940 Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; (v) assist the Board in its oversight of the valuation of the Funds’ securities by the Administrator and Adviser, as applicable, and any sub-adviser, as applicable; (vi) oversee the quality and objectivity of the Funds’ independent audit and the financial statements of the Funds; and (vii) act as a liaison between the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. The Audit and Valuation Committee has delegated responsibilities to the Chair of the Committee or any designated member of the Committee to respond to inquiries on valuation matters and that occur between meetings of the Committee when the Funds’ valuation procedures or law require Board or Committee action, but it is impracticable or impossible to hold a meeting of the entire Board or Committee.
Compliance Committee. The Compliance Committee operates pursuant to a written charter. The primary purposes of the Compliance Committee are to (i) oversee the Funds’ compliance with legal and regulatory and contractual requirements and the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures; and (ii) consider the appointment, compensation and removal of the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer.
Governance Committee. The Governance Committee operates pursuant to a written charter. The duties of the Governance Committee include, but are not limited to, (i) selection and nomination of persons for election or appointment as Trustees; (ii) periodic review of the compensation payable to the Independent Trustees; (iii) establishment of Independent Trustee expense policies; (iv) periodic review and evaluation of the functioning of the Board and its committees; (v) with respect to certain registrants,
Part II - 110
appointment and removal of the applicable funds’ Senior Officer, and approval of compensation for the funds’ Senior Officer and retention and compensation of the Senior Officer’s staff and consultants; (vi) selection of independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees and legal counsel to the Funds; (vii) oversight of ongoing litigation affecting the Funds, the Adviser or the Independent Trustees; (viii) oversight of regulatory issues or deficiencies affecting the Funds (except financial matters considered by the Audit and Valuation Committee); and (ix) oversight and review of matters with respect to service providers to the Funds (except the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm). When evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as an Independent Trustee, the Governance Committee may consider, among other factors, (i) whether or not the person is “independent” and whether the person is otherwise qualified under applicable laws and regulations to serve as a Trustee; (ii) whether or not the person is willing to serve, and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of an Independent Trustee; (iii) the contribution that the person can make to the Board and the J.P. Morgan Funds, with consideration being given to the person’s business experience, education and such other factors as the Committee may consider relevant; (iv) the character and integrity of the person; (v) the desirable personality traits, including independence, leadership and the ability to work with the other members of the Board; and (vi) to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act, such recommendations from management as are deemed appropriate. The process of identifying nominees involves the consideration of candidates recommended by one or more of the following: current Independent Trustees, officers, shareholders and other sources that the Governance Committee deems appropriate, including the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. The Governance Committee will review nominees recommended to the Board by shareholders and will evaluate such nominees in the same manner as it evaluates nominees identified by the Governance Committee. Nominee recommendations may be submitted to the Secretary of the Trusts at each Trust’s principal business address.
ETF Committee. The ETF Committee operates pursuant to a written charter. The duties of the ETF Committee include, but are not limited to, (i) monitoring significant industry, legal and regulatory developments relating to ETFs; (ii) receiving reports from fund management and reviewing secondary market trading in J.P. Morgan ETF shares; (iii) receiving reports on and reviewing with fund management matters related to the listing of J.P. Morgan ETF’s shares on various exchanges; (iv) receiving reports on and reviewing with fund management matters related to self-indexing and third-party indexing; (v) receiving reports on and reviewing with fund management transaction fees charged in connection with J.P. Morgan ETF creation and redemption transactions; (vi) recommending action to the full Boards in regard to proposed changes to basket construction and custom basket policies and procedures; (vii) reviewing with fund management authorized participant relationships and agreements; (viii) receiving and reviewing reports with fund management related to J.P. Morgan ETF distribution matters; (ix) receiving reports from fund management on the investment performance of J.P. Morgan ETFs; (x) receiving reports from fund management on J.P. Morgan ETF risk matters; (xi) considering ETF-specific proposals and recommending action to the appropriate committee or the full boards in connection with the Trust’s ETFs; and (xii) assisting the compliance committee with its oversight responsibility related to J.P. Morgan ETFs.
Equity Committee, Fixed Income Committee and Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. Each member of the Board, other than Mr. Finn, serves on one of the following committees, which are divided by asset type: the Equity Committee, the Fixed Income Committee or the Money Market and Alternative Products Committee. The function of the Committees is to assist the Board in the oversight of the investment management services provided by the Adviser to the Funds, as well as any sub-adviser to the Funds. The primary purposes of each Committee are to (i) assist the Board in its oversight of the investment management services provided by the Adviser to the Funds designated for review by each Committee; and (ii) review and make recommendations to the Board concerning the approval of proposed new or continued advisory and distribution arrangements for the Funds or for new funds. The full Board may delegate to the applicable Committee from time to time the authority to make Board level decisions on an interim basis when it is impractical to convene a meeting of the full Board. Each of the Committees receives reports concerning investment management topics, concerns or exceptions with respect to particular Funds that the Committee is assigned to oversee, and works to facilitate the understanding by the Board of particular issues related to investment management of Funds reviewed by the applicable Committee.
For details of the number of times each of the standing committees met during the most recent fiscal year, see “TRUSTEES — Standing Committees” in Part I of this SAI.
For details of the dollar range of equity securities owned by each Trustee in the Funds, see “TRUSTEES — Ownership of Securities” in Part I of this SAI.
Part II - 111
Trustee Compensation
The Trustees instituted a Deferred Compensation Plan for Eligible Trustees (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) pursuant to which the Trustees are permitted to defer part or all of their compensation. Amounts deferred are deemed invested in shares of one or more series of JPMT I, JPMT II, JPMT IV, Undiscovered Managers Funds, JPMFMFG, and JPMMFIT, as selected by the Trustee from time to time, to be used to measure the performance of a Trustee’s deferred compensation account. Amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan will be deemed to be invested in Class I Shares of the identified funds, unless Class I Shares are not available, in which case the amounts will be deemed to be invested in Class A Shares. A Trustee’s deferred compensation account will be paid at such times as elected by the Trustee, subject to certain mandatory payment provisions in the Deferred Compensation Plan (e.g., death of a Trustee). Deferral and payment elections under the Deferred Compensation Plan are subject to strict requirements for modification.
The Declarations of Trust provide that the Trusts will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trusts, unless, as to liability to the Trusts or their shareholders, it is finally adjudicated that they engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in their offices (collectively, “disabling conduct”). In the case of settlement, such indemnification will not be provided unless it has been determined by a court or other body approving the settlement or disposition, or in the absence of such a determination, there has been a dismissal of the proceeding by the court or other body before it was brought for insufficiency of evidence of any disabling conduct with which the Trustee or officer has been charged, or by a reasonable determination based upon a review of readily available facts, by vote of a majority of disinterested Trustees or in a written opinion of independent counsel, that such officers or Trustees did not engage in disabling conduct.
For details of Trustee compensation paid by the Funds, including deferred compensation, see “TRUSTEES — Trustee Compensation” in Part I of this SAI.
OFFICERS
The Trusts’ executive officers (listed below) generally are employees of the Adviser or one of its affiliates. The officers conduct and supervise the business operations of the Trusts. The officers hold office until a successor has been elected and duly qualified. The Trusts have no employees. The names of the officers of the Funds, together with their year of birth, information regarding their positions held with the Trusts and principal occupations are shown below. The contact address for each of the officers, unless otherwise noted, is 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172. 
Name (Year of Birth),
Positions Held with
the Trusts (Since)
Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years
Brian S. Shlissel (1964),
President and Principal
Executive Officer (2016)
Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer for J.P.
Morgan pooled vehicles, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
since 2014.
Timothy J. Clemens (1975),
Treasurer and Principal
Financial Officer (2018)
Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr.
Clemens has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
since 2013.
Gregory S. Samuels (1980),
Secretary (2019) (formerly
Assistant Secretary 2010-2019)
Managing Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan
Chase. Mr. Samuels has been with JPMorgan Chase since 2010.
Stephen M. Ungerman (1953),
Chief Compliance Officer
(2005)
Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Mr. Ungerman has been
with JPMorgan Chase & Co. since 2000.
Kiesha Astwood-Smith (1973),
Assistant Secretary (2021)
Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase
since June 2021; Senior Director and Counsel, Equitable Financial
Life Insurance Company (formerly, AXA Equitable Life Insurance
Company) from September 2015 through June 2021.
Matthew Beck (1988),
Assistant Secretary (2021)*
Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase
since May 2021; Senior Legal Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions
from May 2018 through May 2021; General Counsel, The
Nottingham Company from April 2014 through May 2018.
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Name (Year of Birth),
Positions Held with
the Trusts (Since)
Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years
Elizabeth A. Davin (1964),
Assistant Secretary (2005)*
Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan
Chase. Ms. Davin has been with JPMorgan Chase (formerly Bank
One Corporation) since 2004.
Jessica K. Ditullio (1962),
Assistant Secretary (2005)*
Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan
Chase. Ms. Ditullio has been with JPMorgan Chase (formerly Bank
One Corporation) since 1990.
Anthony Geron (1971), Assistant
Secretary (2018)
Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase
since September 2018; Lead Director and Counsel, AXA Equitable
Life Insurance Company from 2015 to 2018 and Senior Director and
Counsel, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company from 2014 to
2015.
Carmine Lekstutis (1980),
Assistant Secretary (2011)
Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan
Chase. Mr. Lekstutis has been with JPMorgan Chase since 2011.
Max Vogel (1990),
Assistant Secretary (2021)
Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase
since June 2021; Associate, Proskauer Rose LLP (law firm) from
March 2017 to June 2021.
Zachary E. Vonnegut-Gabovitch
(1986),
Assistant Secretary (2017)
Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan
Chase. Mr. Vonnegut-Gabovitch has been with JPMorgan Chase
since September 2016.
Frederick J. Cavaliere (1978),
Assistant Treasurer (2015)**
Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr.
Cavaliere has been with JPMorgan since May 2006.
Michael M. D’Ambrosio (1969),
Assistant Treasurer (2012)
Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr.
D’Ambrosio has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management
Inc. since 2012.
Aleksandr Fleytekh (1972),
Assistant Treasurer (2019)
Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr.
Fleytekh has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
since February 2012.
Shannon Gaines (1977),
Assistant Treasurer (2018)*
Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr.
Gaines has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
since January 2014.
Jeffrey D. House (1972),
Assistant Treasurer (2017)*
Vice President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr. House
has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. since July
2006.
Michael Mannarino (1985),
Assistant Treasurer (2020)
Vice President, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr.
Mannarino has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
since 2014.
Joseph Parascondola (1963),
Assistant Treasurer (2011)**
Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Mr.
Parascondola has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management
Inc. since 2006.
Gillian I. Sands (1969), Assistant
Treasurer (2012)
Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Ms.
Sands has been with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. since
September 2012.
*
The contact address for the officer is 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240.
**
The contact address for the officer is 575 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310.
For details of the percentage of shares of any class of each Fund owned by the officers and Trustees, as a group, see “SHARE OWNERSHIP — Trustees and Officers” in Part I of this SAI.
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS
Pursuant to investment advisory agreements, JPMIM serves as investment adviser to the Funds. J.P. Morgan Private Investments, Inc. serves as sub-adviser to certain funds pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement with JPMIM. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. serves as sub-adviser for the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with JPMIM.
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The Trust’s Shares are not sponsored, endorsed or guaranteed by, and do not constitute obligations or deposits of JPMorgan Chase, any bank affiliate of JPMIM or any other bank, and are not insured by the FDIC or issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies.
For details of the investment advisory fees paid under an applicable advisory agreement, see “INVESTMENT ADVISER — Investment Advisory Fees” in Part I of the SAI for the respective Fund.
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc (“JPMIM”). JPMIM serves as investment adviser to certain Funds pursuant to the investment advisory agreements between JPMIM and certain of the Trusts (the “JPMIM Advisory Agreements”). Effective October 1, 2003, JPMIM became a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Asset Management Holdings Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (“JPMorgan Chase”). Prior to October 1, 2003, JPMIM was a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase, a publicly traded bank holding company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware which was formed from the merger of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated with and into The Chase Manhattan Corporation.
JPMIM is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. JPMIM is located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179.
Under the JPMIM Advisory Agreements, JPMIM provides investment advisory services to certain Funds, which include managing the purchase, retention and disposition of such Funds’ investments. JPMIM may delegate its responsibilities to a sub-adviser. Any subadvisory agreements must be approved by the applicable Trust’s Board of Trustees and the applicable Fund’s shareholders, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
Under separate agreements, JPMorgan Chase Bank, JPMIM and JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. (“JPMDS”) provide certain custodial, fund accounting, recordkeeping and administrative services to the Trusts and the Funds and shareholder services for the Trusts. JPMDS is the shareholder servicing agent and the distributor for certain Funds. JPMorgan Chase Bank, JPMIM and JPMDS are each subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase and affiliates of the Advisers. See the “Custodian,” “Administrator,” “Shareholder Servicing” and “Distributor” sections.
Under the terms of the JPMIM Advisory Agreements, the investment advisory services JPMIM provides to certain Funds are not exclusive. JPMIM is free to and does render similar investment advisory services to others. JPMIM serves as investment adviser to personal investors and other investment companies and acts as fiduciary for trusts, estates and employee benefit plans. Certain of the assets of trusts and estates under management are invested in common trust funds for which JPMIM serves as trustee. The accounts which are managed or advised by JPMIM have varying investment objectives, and JPMIM invests assets of such accounts in investments substantially similar to, or the same as, those which are expected to constitute the principal investments of certain Funds. Such accounts are supervised by employees of JPMIM who may also be acting in similar capacities for the Funds. See “Portfolio Transactions.”
The Funds are managed by employees of JPMIM who, in acting for their customers, including the Funds, do not discuss their investment decisions with any personnel of JPMorgan Chase or any personnel of other divisions of JPMIM or with any of their affiliated persons, with the exception of certain other investment management affiliates of JPMorgan Chase which execute transactions on behalf of the Funds.
As compensation for the services rendered and related expenses, such as salaries of advisory personnel borne by JPMIM or a predecessor, under the JPMIM Advisory Agreements, the applicable Trusts, on behalf of the Funds, have agreed to pay JPMIM a fee, which is computed daily and may be paid monthly, equal to the annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets as described in the applicable Prospectuses.
The JPMIM Advisory Agreements continue in effect for annual periods beyond October 31 of each year only if specifically approved thereafter annually in the same manner as the Distribution Agreement; except that for new funds, the initial approval will continue for up to two years, after which annual approvals are required. See the “Distributor” section. The JPMIM Advisory Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned and are terminable at any time without penalty by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by a vote of the holders of a majority of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), on 60 days’ written notice to JPMIM and by JPMIM on 90 days’ written notice to the Trusts
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(60 days with respect to the International Research Enhanced Equity Fund, Mid Cap Value Fund and Growth Advantage Fund). The continuation of the JPMIM Advisory Agreements was last approved by the Board of Trustees at its meeting in August 2019.
The JPMIM Advisory Agreements provide that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of the respective investment advisory agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder, or, with respect to all such Funds except the Mid Cap Value Fund, a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services.
Prior to January 1, 2010, JPMIA served as investment adviser to certain JPMT II Funds pursuant to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between JPMIA and JPMT II dated August 12, 2004 (the “JPMT II Advisory Agreement”). On July 1, 2004, Bank One Corporation, the former indirect corporate parent of JPMIA, merged into J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (now officially known as JPMorgan Chase & Co.). On that date, JPMIA became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase. JPMIA is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Effective January 1, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), the investment advisory business of JPMIA was transferred to JPMIM and JPMIM became the investment adviser for the applicable Funds under the JPMT II Advisory Agreement. The appointment of JPMIM did not change the portfolio management team, the investment strategies, the investment advisory fees charged to the Funds or the terms of the JPMT II Advisory Agreement (other than the identity of the investment adviser). Shareholder approval was not required for the replacement of JPMIA by JPMIM.
Subject to the supervision of a Trust’s Board of Trustees, JPMIM provides or will cause to be provided a continuous investment program for certain Funds, including investment research and management with respect to all securities and investments and cash equivalents in those Funds. JPMIM may delegate its responsibilities to a sub-adviser. Any subadvisory agreements must be approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the applicable Funds’ shareholders, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
The JPMT II Advisory Agreement continues in effect for annual periods beyond October 31 of each year, if such continuance is approved at least annually by the Trust’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Fund (as defined under “Additional Information” in this SAI), and a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the respective investment advisory agreements or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the respective investment advisory agreements by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The continuation of the JPMT II Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees at its meeting held in August 2019.
The JPMT II Advisory Agreement may be terminated as to a particular Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice without penalty by the Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of that Fund, or by the Fund’s Adviser as the case may be. The JPMIA Advisory Agreement also terminates automatically in the event of any assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.
As compensation for the services rendered and related expenses, such as salaries of advisory personnel borne by JPMIM, under the JPMT II Advisory Agreement, the applicable Trusts, on behalf of the Funds, have agreed to pay JPMIM a fee, which is computed daily and may be paid monthly, equal to the annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets as described in the applicable Prospectuses.
The JPMT II Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of the respective investment advisory agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.
J.P. Morgan Private Investments, Inc. (“JPMPI”). JPMPI has been engaged by JPMIM to serve as investment sub-adviser to the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund and JPMorgan Access Growth Fund (the “JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement”). JPMPI is a wholly owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPMPI is located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179.
JPMPI is paid monthly by JPMIM a fee equal to a percentage of the average daily net assets of the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund and JPMorgan Access Growth Fund. The aggregate annual rate of the fees payable by JPMIM to JPMPI is 0.75% of the portion of each of the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund’s and JPMorgan Access Growth Fund’s average daily net assets managed by JPMPI.
Part II - 115
The JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of two years from the date of its execution, unless terminated sooner. It may be renewed from year to year thereafter, so long as continuance is specifically approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate in the event of an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act), and may be terminated without penalty at any time by either party upon 60 days’ written notice, or upon termination of the JPMIM Advisory Agreement. Under the terms of the JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement, JPMPI is not liable to JPMIM, the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund or the JPMorgan Access Growth Fund, or their shareholders, for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any losses sustained by JPMIM, the JPMorgan Access Balanced Fund or the JPMorgan Access Growth Fund or their shareholders, except in the case of JPMPI’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties under the JPMPI Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. (“Fuller & Thaler”). Fuller & Thaler has served as the sub-adviser to the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund (“Behavioral Value Fund”) for the life of the Fund. As sub-adviser, Fuller & Thaler provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Fuller & Thaler is located at 411 Borel Avenue, Suite 300, San Mateo, California 94402.
The Behavioral Value Fund’s investment portfolio is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Behavioral Value Fund’s sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. is wholly beneficially owned and controlled by its employees. The largest shareholder is Dr. Russell J. Fuller who is the firm’s founder and chairman.
Under the sub-advisory agreement relating to the Behavioral Value Fund between JPMIM and the Behavioral Value Fund’s sub-adviser, the sub-adviser is entitled to fees, payable at least quarterly by JPMIM out of the fees JPMIM receives, of a certain percentage of the average daily net asset value of the Behavioral Value Fund. For the Behavioral Value Fund, JPMIM will pay the sub-adviser compensation at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For a description of such fees, see “The Funds’ Management and Administration” section in the Fund’s prospectuses.
The Fuller & Thaler Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of two years from the date of its execution, unless terminated sooner. It may be renewed from year to year thereafter, so long as continuance is specifically approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Fuller & Thaler Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that it may be terminated without penalty by JPMIM, by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding securities of the relevant Fund, upon 60 days’ written notice and shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Fund’s advisory agreement provides that JPMIM owns all rights to and control of the name “Undiscovered Managers.” The Fund’s advisory agreement will automatically terminate if the Trust or the relevant Fund shall at any time be required by JPMIM to eliminate all reference to the words “Undiscovered Managers” or the letters “UM,” as applicable, in the name of the Trust or the Fund, unless the continuance of the agreement after such change of name is approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or JPMIM, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
JPMIM1
JPMIM and/or its affiliates (the “Affiliates” and, together, “JPMorgan”) provide an array of discretionary and non-discretionary investment management services and products to institutional clients and individual investors. In addition, JPMorgan is a diversified financial services firm that provides a broad range of services and products to its clients and is a major participant in the global currency, equity, commodity, fixed-income and other markets in which a Fund invests or will invest. Investors should carefully review the following, which describes potential and actual conflicts of interest that JPMorgan can face in the operation of its investment management services. JPMorgan and the Funds have adopted
1
The affiliates of JPMIM that act as Adviser or Sub-Adviser to a Fund – J.P. Morgan Private Investments Inc.—will also face some or all of the conflicts of interest described in this section. References to JPMIM should be read to apply to these other advisers for a Fund advised or sub-advised by such other adviser.
Part II - 116
policies and procedures reasonably designed to appropriately prevent, limit or mitigate the conflicts of interest described below. In addition, many of the activities that create these conflicts of interest are limited and/or prohibited by law, unless an exception is available.
This section is not, and is not intended to be, a complete enumeration or explanation of all of the potential conflicts of interest that may arise. Additional information about potential conflicts of interest regarding JPMIM and JPMorgan is set forth in JPMIM’s Form ADV. A copy of Part 1 and Part 2A of JPMIM’s and each other Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Acting for Multiple Clients. In general, JPMIM faces conflicts of interest when it renders investment advisory services to several clients and, from time to time, provides dissimilar investment advice to different clients. For example, when funds or accounts managed by JPMIM (“Other Accounts”) engage in short sales of the same securities held by a Fund, JPMIM could be seen as harming the performance of a Fund for the benefit of the Other Accounts engaging in short sales, if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall. In addition, a conflict could arise when one or more Other Accounts invest in different instruments or classes of securities of the same issuer than those in which a Fund invests. In certain circumstances, Other Accounts have different investment objectives or could pursue or enforce rights with respect to a particular issuer in which a Fund has also invested and these activities could have an adverse effect on the Fund. For example, if a Fund holds debt instruments of an issuer and an Other Account holds equity securities of the same issuer, then if the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges, the Fund (which holds the debt instrument) may seek a liquidation of the issuer, whereas the Other Account (which holds the equity securities) may prefer a reorganization of the issuer. In addition, an issuer in which the Fund invests may use the proceeds of the Fund’s investment to refinance or reorganize its capital structure which could result in repayment of debt held by JPMorgan or an Other Account. If the issuer performs poorly following such refinancing or reorganization, the Fund’s results will suffer whereas the Other Account’s performance will not be affected because the Other Account no longer has an investment in the issuer. Conflicts are magnified with respect to issuers that become insolvent. It is possible that in connection with an insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar proceeding, a Fund will be limited (by applicable law, courts or otherwise) in the positions or actions it will be permitted to take due to other interests held or actions or positions taken by JPMorgan or Other Accounts.
Positions taken by Other Accounts may also dilute or otherwise negatively affect the values, prices or investment strategies associated with positions held by a Fund. For example, this may occur when investment decisions for the Fund are based on research or other information that is also used to support portfolio decisions by JPMIM for Other Accounts following different investment strategies or by Affiliates in managing their clients’ accounts. When an Other Account or an account managed by an Affiliate implements a portfolio decision or strategy ahead of, or contemporaneously with, similar portfolio decisions or strategies for a Fund (whether or not the portfolio decisions emanate from the same research analysis or other information), market impact, liquidity constraints, or other factors could result in the Fund receiving less favorable investment results, and the costs of implementing such portfolio decisions or strategies could be increased or the Fund could otherwise be disadvantaged.
Investment opportunities that are appropriate for a Fund may also be appropriate for Other Accounts and there is no assurance the Fund will receive an allocation of all or a portion of those investments it wishes to pursue. JPMIM’s management of an Other Account that pays it a performance fee or a higher management fee and follows the same or similar strategy as a Fund or invests in substantially similar assets as a Fund, creates an incentive for JPMIM to favor the account paying it the potentially higher fee, e.g., in placing securities trades.
JPMIM and its Affiliates, and any of their directors, officers or employees, also buy, sell, or trade securities for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of JPMIM and/or an Affiliate. JPMIM or its Affiliates, within their discretion, may make different investment decisions and take other actions with respect to their own proprietary accounts than those made for client accounts, including the timing or nature of such investment decisions or actions. Further, JPMIM is not required to purchase or sell for any client account securities that it, an Affiliate or any of its or their employees may purchase or sell for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of JPMIM or an Affiliate or its clients. JPMIM, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers and employees face a conflict of interest as they will have income or other incentives to favor their own accounts or proprietary accounts.
The portfolio managers of certain Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts have access to the holdings and may have knowledge of the investment strategies and techniques of certain underlying Funds because they (i) receive portfolio holding information concerning accounts that are managed in a similar strategy
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as an underlying Fund that is not subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Funds and/or (ii) they serve as or oversee the portfolio manager(s) of the underlying Funds. In addition, the portfolio managers of certain Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts have periodic access to risk exposure information such as currency, sector, region, country, asset class, credit quality, volatility characteristics, VaR and stress information, exposure versus benchmarks, duration and Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) ratings based on the aggregate daily holdings of the underlying Funds in which such Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts invest. They therefore face conflicts of interest in the timing and amount of allocations to or redemptions from an underlying Fund, as well as in the choice of an underlying Fund.
The chart in Part I of this SAI entitled “Portfolio Managers’ Other Accounts Managed” shows the number, type and market value as of a specified date of the accounts and other Funds managed by each Fund’s (excluding the Money Market Funds’) portfolio managers.
Acting in Multiple Commercial Capacities. JPMorgan is a diversified financial services firm that provides a broad range of services and products to its clients and is a major participant in the global currency, equity, commodity, fixed-income and other markets in which a Fund invests or may invest. JPMorgan is typically entitled to compensation in connection with these activities and the Funds will not be entitled to any such compensation. In providing services and products to clients other than the Funds, JPMorgan, from time to time, faces conflicts of interest with respect to activities recommended to or performed for a Fund on one hand and for JPMorgan’s other clients on the other hand. For example, JPMorgan has, and continues to seek to develop, banking and other financial and advisory relationships with numerous U.S. and non-U.S. persons and governments. JPMorgan also advises and represents potential buyers and sellers of businesses worldwide. The Funds have invested in, or may wish to invest in, such entities represented by JPMorgan or with which JPMorgan has a banking or other financial relationship. In addition, certain clients of JPMorgan may invest in entities in which JPMorgan holds an interest, including a Fund. In providing services to its clients, JPMorgan from time to time recommends activities that compete with or otherwise adversely affect a Fund or the Fund’s investments. It should be recognized that such relationships may also preclude the Fund from engaging in certain transactions and may constrain the Fund’s investment flexibility. For example, Affiliates that are broker dealers cannot deal with the Funds as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless an exemptive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the SEC. Certain of the Funds have received exemptive orders permitting the Funds to engage in principal transactions with Affiliates involving taxable and tax exempt money market instruments. However, for the purchase and sale of longer term fixed income securities, which are generally principal transactions, the Funds cannot use broker dealer Affiliates. Or, if an Affiliate is the sole underwriter of an initial or secondary offering, the Funds could not purchase in the offering. In both cases the number of securities and counterparties available to the Funds will be fewer than are available to mutual funds that are not affiliated with major broker dealers.
JPMorgan derives ancillary benefits from providing investment advisory, custody, administration, fund accounting and shareholder servicing and other services to the Funds, and providing such services to the Funds may enhance JPMorgan’s relationships with various parties, facilitate additional business development and enable JPMorgan to obtain additional business and generate additional revenue.
Participations Adverse to the Funds. JPMorgan’s participation in certain markets or its actions for certain clients may also restrict or affect a Fund’s ability to transact in those markets and JPMorgan may face conflicts with respect to the interests involved. For example, when a Fund and another JPMorgan client invest in different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, decisions over whether to trigger an event of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to exit an investment implicate conflicts of interest. See also “Acting for Multiple Clients.”
Preferential Treatment. JPMIM receives more compensation with respect to certain Funds or Other Accounts than it receives with respect to a Fund, or receives compensation based in part on the performance of certain accounts. This creates a conflict of interest for JPMIM and its portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor those accounts. Actual or potential conflicts of interest also arise when a portfolio manager has management responsibilities to more than one account or Fund, such as devotion of unequal time and attention to the management of the Funds or accounts.
Allocation and Aggregation. Potential conflicts of interest also arise with both the aggregation of trade orders and allocation of securities transactions or investment opportunities. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially filled due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities raise a potential conflict of interest because JPMorgan has an incentive to allocate trades or investment opportunities to certain accounts or Funds. For example, JPMorgan has an incentive to cause accounts it manages to participate in an offering where such participation could increase
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JPMorgan’s overall allocation of securities in that offering. When JPMorgan serves as adviser to the Funds, as well as certain Funds-of-Funds, it faces certain potential conflicts of interest when allocating the assets of the Funds-of-Funds among its underlying Funds. For example, JPMorgan has an incentive to allocate assets of the Fund-of-Funds to seed a new Fund or to allocate to an underlying Fund that is small, pays higher fees to JPMorgan or to which JPMorgan has provided seed capital.
Overall Position Limits. Potential conflicts of interest also exist when JPMorgan maintains certain overall investment limitations on positions in securities or other financial instruments due to, among other things, investment restrictions imposed upon JPMorgan by law, regulation, contract or internal policies. These limitations have precluded and, in the future could preclude, a Fund from purchasing particular securities or financial instruments, even if the securities or financial instruments would otherwise meet the Fund’s objectives. For example, there are limits on the aggregate amount of investments by affiliated investors in certain types of securities that may not be exceeded without additional regulatory or corporate consent. There also are limits on the writing of options by a Fund that could be triggered based on the number of options written by JPMIM on behalf of other investment advisory clients. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions are undertaken, the ability of a Fund to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, will be restricted.
Soft Dollars. JPMIM pays certain broker-dealers (including affiliates of JPMIM) with “soft” or commission dollars generated by client brokerage transactions in exchange for access to statistical information and other research services. JPMIM faces conflicts of interest because the statistical information and other research services may benefit certain other clients of JPMIM more than a Fund and can be used in connection with the management of accounts other than the accounts whose trades generated the commissions.
Additionally, when JPMIM uses client brokerage commissions to obtain statistical information and other research services, JPMIM receives a benefit because it does not have to produce or pay for the information or other research services itself. As a result, JPMIM may have an incentive to select a particular broker-dealer in order to obtain such information and other research services from that broker-dealer, rather than to obtain the lowest price for execution.
Redemptions. JPMorgan, as a seed investor, JPMorgan Funds of Funds and JPMorgan on behalf of its discretionary clients have significant ownership in certain Funds. JPMorgan faces conflicts of interest when considering the effect of redemptions on such Funds and on other shareholders in deciding whether and when to redeem its shares. A large redemption of shares by JPMorgan, by a JPMorgan Fund of Funds or by JPMorgan acting on behalf of its discretionary clients could result in the Fund selling securities when it otherwise would not have done so, accelerating the realization of capital gains and increasing transaction costs. A large redemption could significantly reduce the assets of a Fund, causing decreased liquidity and, depending on any applicable expense caps, a higher expense ratio.
Affiliated Transactions. The Funds are subject to conflicts of interest if they engage in principal or agency transactions with other Funds or with JPMorgan. To the extent permitted by law, the Funds can enter into transactions in which JPMorgan acts as principal on its own behalf (principal transactions), advises both sides of a transaction (cross transactions) and acts as broker for, and receives a commission from, the Funds (agency transactions). Principal and agency transactions create the opportunity for JPMorgan to engage in self-dealing. In accordance with applicable legal requirements, JPMIM currently expects, for certain U.S. equity Funds, to place certain U.S. equity trades, on an agency basis, through its affiliated broker, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“JPMS”). JPMorgan faces a conflict of interest when it engages in a principal or agency transaction on behalf of a Fund, because such transactions result in additional compensation to JPMorgan. JPMorgan faces a potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities to the parties in these transactions.
In addition, Affiliates of JPMIM have direct or indirect interests in electronic communication networks and alternative trading systems (collectively “ECNs”). JPMIM, in accordance with its fiduciary obligation to seek to obtain best execution, from time to time executes client trades through ECNs in which an Affiliate has, or may acquire, an interest. In such case, the Affiliate will be indirectly compensated based upon its ownership percentage in relation to the transaction fees charged by the ECNs.
JPMorgan also faces conflicts of interest if a Fund purchases securities during the existence of an underwriting syndicate for such securities, of which JPMorgan is a member because JPMorgan typically receives fees for certain services that it provides to the syndicate and, in certain cases, will be relieved directly or indirectly of certain financial obligations as a result of a Fund’s purchase of securities.
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Affiliated Service Providers. JPMorgan faces conflicts of interest when the Funds use service providers affiliated with JPMorgan because JPMorgan receives greater overall fees when they are used. Affiliates provide investment advisory, custody, administration, fund accounting and shareholder servicing services to the Funds for which they are compensated by the Funds. Similarly, JPMIM faces a conflict of interest if it decides to use or negotiate the terms of a credit facility for a Fund if the facility is provided by an Affiliate. In addition, in selecting actively managed underlying funds for JPMorgan Funds of Funds, JPMIM limits its selection to Funds in the JPMorgan family of mutual funds. JPMIM does not consider or canvass the universe of unaffiliated investment companies available, even though there may be unaffiliated investment companies that may be more appropriate for the JPMorgan Fund of Funds or that have superior returns. With respect to a Fund’s uninvested cash and cash received from securities lending borrowers, the Fund’s adviser automatically invests the Fund in J.P. Morgan money market funds without considering or canvassing the universe of unaffiliated money market funds available even though there may (or may not) be one or more unaffiliated money market funds or alternative investments that investors might regard as more attractive for the Fund or that have superior returns. To the extent a Fund invests in a J.P. Morgan money market fund, the Fund’s investment performance is related to the performance of the J.P. Morgan money market fund and the Fund might lose money by investing in a J.P. Morgan money market fund. Because a Fund’s adviser or its affiliates provide services to and receive fees from J.P. Morgan money market funds, investments by the Fund in a J.P. Morgan money market fund benefit the Fund’s adviser and/or its affiliates and create a conflict of interest. These investments also will increase assets under management and support particular J.P. Morgan money market funds. The JPMorgan affiliates providing services to the Funds benefit from additional fees when a Fund is included as an underlying Fund in a JPMorgan Fund of Funds. Certain laws applicable to JPMorgan may also have an impact on the ability of JPMorgan to conduct business with the Funds, which may have a negative impact on the Funds. The Funds are treated as affiliates of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for purposes of Sections 23A and 23B of the U.S. Federal Reserve Act. Those sections require that banking subsidiaries of JPMorgan, such as JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and its subsidiaries, comply with certain standards and restrictions in dealing with affiliates such as the Funds. For example, the Funds may be unable to enter into certain borrowing or servicing arrangements with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Proxy Voting. Potential conflicts of interest can arise when JPMIM votes proxies for securities held by a Fund. A conflict is deemed to exist when the proxy is for JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock or for J.P. Morgan Funds, or when the proxy administrator has actual knowledge indicating that an Affiliate is an investment banker or rendered a fairness opinion with respect to the matter that is the subject of the proxy vote. When such conflicts are identified, the proxy ordinarily will be voted by an independent third party either in accordance with JPMIM’s proxy voting guidelines or by the third party using its own guidelines. Potential conflicts of interest can arise when JPMIM invests Fund assets in securities of companies that are also clients of JPMIM or that have material business relationships with JPMIM or an Affiliate and a vote against management could harm or otherwise affect JPMIM’s or the Affiliate’s business relationship with that company. See the Proxy Voting section in this SAI.
Lending. JPMorgan faces conflicts of interest with respect to interfund lending or the JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. credit facility, which could harm the lending or the borrowing Fund if JPMorgan favors one Fund’s or JPMorgan’s interests over those of another Fund. If a Fund engages in securities lending transactions, JPMIM faces a conflict of interest when a JPMIM affiliate operates as a service provider in the securities lending transaction or otherwise receives compensation as part of the securities lending activities.
Personal Trading. JPMorgan and any of its directors, officers, agents or employees, face conflicts of interest when transacting in securities for their own accounts because they could benefit by trading in the same securities as a Fund, which could have an adverse effect on a Fund.
Valuation. JPMIM acting in its capacity as the Funds’ administrator is the primary valuation agent of the Funds. JPMIM values securities and assets in the Funds according to the Funds’ valuation policies. From time to time JPMIM will value an asset differently than an Affiliate values the identical asset, including because the Affiliate has information regarding valuation techniques and models or other information that it does not share with JPMIM. This arises particularly in connection with securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations do not represent the value at the time of pricing (e.g., startup companies) and which are fair valued. JPMIM will also face a conflict with respect to valuations as they affect the amount of JPMIM’s compensation as investment adviser and administrator.
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Information Access. As a result of JPMorgan’s various other businesses, Affiliates, from time to time, come into possession of information about certain markets and investments which, if known to JPMIM, could cause JPMIM to seek to dispose of, retain or increase interests in investments held by a Fund or acquire certain positions on behalf of a Fund. However, JPMorgan’s internal information barriers restrict JPMIM’s ability to access such information even when it would be relevant to its management of the Funds. Such Affiliates can trade differently from the Funds potentially based on information not available to JPMIM. If JPMIM acquires or is deemed to acquire material non-public information regarding an issuer, JPMIM will be restricted from purchasing or selling securities of that issuer for its clients, including a Fund, until the information has been publicly disclosed or is no longer deemed material. (Such an issuer could include an underlying Fund in a Fund-of-Funds.)
Gifts and Entertainment. From time to time, employees of JPMIM receive gifts and/or entertainment from clients, intermediaries, or service providers to the Funds or JPMIM, which could have the appearance of affecting or may potentially affect the judgment of the employees, or the manner in which they conduct business.
For Funds with Sub-Advisers: Additional Potential Conflicts of Interest
The Advisers to certain Funds have engaged affiliated and/or unaffiliated sub-advisers. The Adviser compensates sub-advisers out of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund, which creates an incentive for the Adviser to select sub-advisers with lower fee rates or to select affiliated sub-advisers. In addition, the sub-advisers have interests and relationships that create actual or potential conflicts of interest related to their management of the assets of the Funds allocated to such sub-advisers. Such conflicts of interest may be similar to, different from or supplement those conflicts described herein relating to JPMorgan. Potential conflicts relate to the sub-advisers’ trading and investment practices, including, but not limited to, their selection of broker-dealers, aggregation of orders for multiple clients or netting of orders for the same client and the investment of client assets in companies in which they have an interest. Additional information about potential conflicts of interest regarding the sub-advisers is set forth in each sub-adviser’s Form ADV. A copy of Part 1 and Part 2 of each sub-adviser’s Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Fuller & Thaler. Responsibility for managing Fuller & Thaler’s investment strategies is generally organized according to investment styles (growth, value or a combination of growth and value) and market capitalization (micro-cap, small-cap, or large-cap). Generally, a portfolio manager is responsible for managing all the client portfolios with a certain investment style and market capitalization. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across portfolios in the same strategy, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.
Fuller & Thaler may receive more compensation with respect to certain accounts than that received with respect to the Funds. Such greater compensation may be attributable to the fact that some accounts may be larger than the Funds, some accounts may pay a higher management fee rate than the Funds, or some accounts may also pay a performance fee unlike the Funds. This may create a potential conflict of interest for Fuller & Thaler or its portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor these other accounts when, for example, placing securities transactions. Fuller & Thaler may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored accounts. To address this, Fuller & Thaler has established policies designed to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time. As a matter of general policy, Fuller & Thaler aggregates orders for the same equity security placed at around the same time. When aggregated trades are executed, whether fully or partially executed, accounts participating in the trade will be allocated their pro rata share on an average price basis, subject to certain limited exceptions. In the event pro rata allocation may not be feasible or in the best interest of its clients, Fuller & Thaler may rotate trades or seek to otherwise allocate transactions in a fair and equitable manner over time.
Another potential conflict of interest may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the cost of securities subsequently purchased by another account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. Further, if Fuller & Thaler manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Funds invest, Fuller & Thaler could be seen as harming the performance of a Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.
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Fuller & Thaler believes it has adopted policies and procedures to address actual and potential conflicts of interest; however, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict may arise.
For details of the dollar range of shares of each Fund (excluding the Money Market Funds) beneficially owned by the portfolio managers, see “PORTFOLIO MANAGERS — Ownership of Securities” in Part I of this SAI.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Compensation. JPMIM’s compensation programs are designed to align the behavior of employees with the achievement of its short- and long-term strategic goals, which revolve around client investment objectives. This is accomplished in part, through a balanced performance assessment process and total compensation program, as well as a clearly defined culture that rigorously and consistently promotes adherence to the highest ethical standards.
The compensation framework for JPMIM portfolio managers (“Portfolio Managers”) participating in public market investing activities is based on several factors that drive alignment with client objectives, the primary of which is investment performance, alongside of the firm-wide performance dimensions. The framework focuses on Total Compensation – base salary and variable compensation. Variable compensation is in the form of cash incentives, and/or long-term incentives in the form of fund-tracking incentives (referred to as the “Mandatory Investment Plan” or “MIP”) and/or equity-based JPMorgan Chase Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) with defined vesting schedules and corresponding terms and conditions. Long-term incentive awards may comprise up to 60% of overall incentive compensation, depending on an employee’s pay level.
The performance dimensions for Portfolio Managers are evaluated annually based on several factors that drive investment outcomes and value—aligned with client objectives—including, but not limited to:
•
Investment performance, generally weighted more to the long-term, with specific consideration for Portfolio Managers of investment performance relative to competitive indices or peers over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods, or, in the case of funds designed to track the performance of a particular index, the Portfolio Managers success in tracking such index;
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The scale and complexity of their investment responsibilities;
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Individual contribution relative to the client’s risk and return objectives;
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Business results, as informed by investment performance; risk, controls and conduct objectives; client/customer/stakeholder objectives, teamwork and leadership objectives; and
•
Adherence with JPMorgan’s compliance, risk, regulatory and client fiduciary responsibilities, including, as applicable, adherence to the JPMorgan Asset Management Sustainability Risk Integration Policy, which contains relevant financially material Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (“ESG”) factors that are intended to be assessed in investment decision-making.
In addition to the above performance dimensions, the firm-wide pay-for-per performance framework is integrated into the final assessment of incentive compensation for an individual Portfolio Manager. Feedback from JPMorgan’s risk and control professionals is considered in assessing performance and compensation.
Portfolio Managers are subject to a mandatory deferral of long-term incentive compensation under JPMorgan’s “MIP”. In general, the MIP provides for a rate of return equal to that of the particular fund(s), thereby aligning the Portfolio Manager’s pay with that of the client’s experience/return.
For Portfolio Managers participating in public market investing activities, 50% of their long-term incentives are subject to a mandatory deferral in the MIP, and the remaining 50% can be granted in the form of RSUs or additional participation in MIP at the election of the Portfolio Manager.
For the portion of long-term incentives subject to mandatory deferral in the MIP (50%), the incentives are allocated to the fund(s) the Portfolio Manager manages, as determined by the employee’s respective manager and reviewed by senior management.
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In addition, named Portfolio Managers on a sustainable fund(s) are required to allocate at least 25% of their mandatory deferral in at least one dedicated sustainable fund(s).
To hold individuals responsible for taking risks inconsistent with JPMorgan’s risk appetite and to discourage future imprudent behavior, we have policies and procedures that enable us to take prompt and proportionate actions with respect to accountable individuals, including:
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Reducing or altogether eliminating annual incentive compensation;
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Canceling unvested awards (in full or in part);
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Clawback/recovery of previously paid compensation (cash and/or equity);
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Demotion, negative performance rating or other appropriate employment actions; and
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Termination of employment.
The precise actions we take with respect to accountable individuals are based on circumstances, including the nature of their involvement, the magnitude of the event and the impact on JPMorgan.
Portfolio Manager Leaves of Absence. JPMorgan’s benefit programs include parental leave and other leave policies. For example, JPMorgan U.S. employees are entitled to up to 16 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. From time to time, the portfolio managers listed in the prospectuses may be on temporary leave from the firm. Most of the Funds are managed using a team approach such that other members of the team will absorb the responsibilities of the portfolio manager while on leave and the management of such Funds will continue without change. Ordinarily, the Funds will not supplement their prospectuses to identify portfolio managers who are on temporary leave except as otherwise determined by the Adviser. Portfolio managers on leave at the time of an annual prospectus update will continue to be included in the list of portfolio managers for the Fund unless otherwise determined by the Adviser.
Other Portfolio Manager Information. For details of the dollar range of shares of each Fund (excluding Money Market Funds) beneficially owned by the portfolio managers who serve on a team that manages such Fund, see “PORTFOLIO MANAGERS — Portfolio Managers’ Ownership of Securities” in Part I of this SAI. For details of the other accounts managed by each portfolio manager, see “PORTFOLIO MANAGERS — Portfolio Managers’ Other Accounts Managed” in Part I of this SAI.
Fuller & Thaler. Fuller & Thaler is 100% beneficially owned by its investment professionals, named principals, and other key employees. As owners, Fuller & Thaler’s investment professionals are co-invested in the strategies they manage and are typically paid above industry averages. As owners, Fuller & Thaler’s investment professionals are ultimately compensated based on the long-term performance of its business, which is largely based on the long-term performance of its strategies. The value of these ownership stakes is typically the most significant long-term driver of compensation for investment professionals. Investment professionals and other key employees own a majority of Fuller & Thaler. As its named principals continue to gradually reduce their ownership stakes, Fuller & Thaler grants additional shares to investment professionals and other key employees. Year-to-year, pre-tax cash bonuses are based on a combination of criteria, including the firm’s profitability, an investment professional’s contributions to the firm’s and his/her strategy’s Year-To-Date, 1, 3, 5, 10, and tenure-long year performance relative to the strategy’s benchmark, and an investment professional’s contributions to improvements to the firm’s behavioral investment process, and can vary significantly both year-to-year and among investment professionals. Investment professionals may be granted ownership in Fuller & Thaler within a few years of joining the firm.
CODES OF ETHICS
The Trusts, the Advisers and JPMDS have each adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (and pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act with respect to the Advisers).
The Trusts’ code of ethics includes policies which require “access persons” (as defined in Rule 17j-1) to: (i) place the interest of Trust shareholders first; (ii) conduct personal securities transactions in a manner that avoids any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of a position of trust and responsibility; and (iii) refrain from taking inappropriate advantage of his or her position with the Trusts or a Fund. The Trusts’ code of ethics prohibits any access person from: (i) employing any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Trusts or a Fund; (ii) making to the Trusts or a Fund any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to the Trusts or a Fund a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light
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of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; (iii) engaging in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Trusts or a Fund; or (iv) engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to the Trusts or a Fund. The Trusts’ code of ethics permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund so long as such investment transactions are not in contravention of the above noted policies and prohibitions.
The code of ethics adopted by the Advisers requires that all employees must: (i) place the interest of the accounts which are managed by the Adviser first; (ii) conduct all personal securities transactions in a manner that is consistent with the code of ethics and the individual employee’s position of trust and responsibility; and (iii) refrain from taking inappropriate advantage of their position. Employees of each Adviser are also prohibited from certain mutual fund trading activity including excessive trading of shares of a mutual fund as described in the applicable Fund’s Prospectuses or SAI and effecting or facilitating a mutual fund transaction to engage in market timing. The Advisers’ code of ethics permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund subject to certain restrictions. However, all employees are required to preclear securities trades (except for certain types of securities such as non-proprietary mutual fund shares and U.S. government securities). Each of the Adviser’s affiliated sub-advisers has also adopted the code of ethics described above.
JPMDS’s code of ethics requires that all employees of JPMDS must: (i) place the interest of the accounts which are managed by affiliates of JPMDS first; (ii) conduct all personal securities transactions in a manner that is consistent with the code of ethics and the individual employee’s position of trust and responsibility; and (iii) refrain from taking inappropriate advantage of their positions. Employees of JPMDS are also prohibited from certain mutual fund trading activity, including excessive trading of shares of a mutual fund as such term is defined in the applicable Fund’s Prospectuses or SAI, or effecting or facilitating a mutual fund transaction to engage in market timing. JPMDS’s code of ethics permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds subject to the policies and restrictions in such code of ethics.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Investment Decisions and Portfolio Transactions. Pursuant to the Advisory and sub-advisory Agreements, the Advisers determine, subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objective and restrictions, which securities are to be purchased and sold by each such Fund and which brokers are to be eligible to execute its portfolio transactions. The Advisers operate independently in providing services to their respective clients. Investment decisions are the product of many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular client involved. Thus, for example, a particular security may be bought or sold for certain clients even though it could have been bought or sold for other clients at the same time. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling the security. In some instances, one client may sell a particular security to another client. It also happens that two or more clients may simultaneously buy or sell the same security, in which event each day’s transactions in such security are, insofar as possible, averaged as to price and allocated between such clients in a manner which in the opinion of the Adviser is equitable to each and in accordance with the amount being purchased or sold by each. There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more clients will have an adverse effect on other clients.
Brokerage and Research Services. On behalf of the Funds, a Fund’s Adviser places orders for all purchases and sales of portfolio securities, enters into repurchase agreements, and may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and execute loans of portfolio securities on behalf of a Fund unless otherwise prohibited. See “Investment Strategies and Policies.”
Fixed income and debt securities and municipal bonds and notes are generally traded at a net price with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission. The price of the security usually includes profit to the dealers. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price, which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. Transactions on stock exchanges (other than foreign stock exchanges) involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different brokers. Also, a particular broker may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction. Transactions in foreign securities generally involve payment of fixed brokerage commissions, which are generally higher than those in the U.S. On occasion, certain securities may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
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In connection with portfolio transactions, the overriding objective is to obtain the best execution of purchase and sales orders. In making this determination, the Adviser considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: the price per unit of the security, the broker’s execution capabilities, the commissions charged, the broker’s reliability for prompt, accurate confirmations and on-time delivery of securities, the broker-dealer firm’s financial condition, the broker’s ability to provide access to public offerings, as well as the quality of research services provided. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act, the Adviser may cause the Funds to pay a broker-dealer (including an affiliate of the Adviser) which provides brokerage and research services to the Adviser, or the Funds and/or other accounts for which the Adviser exercises investment discretion an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction for a Fund in excess of the amount other broker-dealers would have charged for the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that the greater commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities to accounts over which it exercises investment discretion. Not all such services are useful or of value in advising the Funds. The Adviser reports to the Board of Trustees regarding overall commissions paid by the Funds and their reasonableness in relation to the benefits to the Funds. In accordance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act and consistent with applicable SEC guidance and interpretation, the term “brokerage and research services” includes (i) advice as to the value of securities; (ii) the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities; (iii) the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of securities; (iv) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts; and (v) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody) or required by rule or regulation in connection with such transactions.
Brokerage and research services received from such broker-dealers (including an affiliate of the Adviser) will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by an Adviser under the Advisory Agreement (or with respect to a Sub-Adviser, under the sub-advisory agreement). The fees that the Funds pay to the Adviser are not reduced as a consequence of the Adviser’s receipt of brokerage and research services. To the extent the Funds’ portfolio transactions are used to obtain such services, the brokerage commissions paid by the Funds may exceed those that might otherwise be paid by an amount that cannot be presently determined. Such services generally would be useful and of value to the Adviser in serving one or more of its other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of brokerage business of other clients generally would be useful to the Adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Funds. While such services are not expected to reduce the expenses of the Adviser, the Adviser would, through use of the services, avoid the additional expenses that would be incurred if it should attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.
Subject to the overriding objective of obtaining the best execution of orders, the Adviser may allocate a portion of a Fund’s brokerage transactions to affiliates of the Adviser. Under the 1940 Act, persons affiliated with a Fund and persons who are affiliated with such persons are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless an exemptive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the SEC. The SEC has granted exemptive orders permitting each Fund to engage in principal transactions with JPMS, an affiliated broker, involving taxable and tax exempt money market instruments (including commercial paper, banker acceptances and medium term notes) and repurchase agreements. The orders are subject to certain conditions. An affiliated person of a Fund may serve as its broker in listed or over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis provided that, among other things, the fee or commission received by such affiliated broker is reasonable and fair compared to the fee or commission received by non-affiliated brokers in connection with comparable transactions.
In addition, a Fund may not purchase securities during the existence of any underwriting syndicate for such securities of which JPMorgan Chase Bank or an affiliate is a member or in a private placement in which JPMorgan Chase Bank or an affiliate serves as placement agent, except pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees that either comply with rules adopted by the SEC or with interpretations of the SEC’s staff. Each Fund expects to purchase securities from underwriting syndicates of which certain affiliates of JPMorgan Chase act as a member or manager. Such purchases will be effected in accordance with the conditions set forth in Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act and related procedures adopted by the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of a Fund. Among the conditions are that the issuer of any purchased securities will have been in operation for at least three years, that not more than 25% of the underwriting will be purchased by a Fund and all other accounts over which the same investment adviser has discretion, and that no shares will be purchased from JPMDS or any of its affiliates.
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On those occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a Fund as well as other customers, including other Funds, the Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but is not obligated to, aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for a Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other customers in order to obtain best execution, including lower brokerage commissions if appropriate. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold as well as any expenses incurred in the transaction will be made by the Adviser in the manner it considers to be most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to its customers, including the Funds. In some instances, the allocation procedure might not permit a Fund to participate in the benefits of the aggregated trade.
If a Fund that writes options effects a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option written by it, normally such transaction will be executed by the same broker-dealer who executed the sale of the option. The writing of options by a Fund will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. The number of options that a Fund may write may be affected by options written by the Adviser for other investment advisory clients. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
Allocation of transactions, including their frequency, to various broker-dealers is determined by a Fund’s Adviser based on its best judgment and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to Shareholders and consistent with the Adviser’s obligation to obtain the best execution of purchase and sales orders. In making this determination, the Adviser considers the same factors for the best execution of purchase and sales orders listed above. Accordingly, in selecting broker-dealers to execute a particular transaction, and in evaluating the best overall terms available, a Fund’s Adviser is authorized to consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act) provided to the Funds and/or other accounts over which a Fund’s Adviser exercises investment discretion. A Fund’s Adviser may cause a Fund to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage and research services a higher commission than that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transaction, provided that a Fund’s Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of a Fund’s Adviser to the Funds. To the extent such services are permissible under the safe harbor requirements of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act and consistent with applicable SEC guidance and interpretation, such brokerage and research services might consist of advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts, market data, stock quotes, last sale prices, and trading volumes. Shareholders of the Funds should understand that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to a Fund’s Adviser in connection with its services to other clients and not all the services may be used by the Adviser in connection with the Fund.
Under the policy for JPMIM, “soft dollar” services refer to arrangements that fall within the safe harbor requirements of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, which allow JPMIM to allocate client brokerage transactions to a broker-dealer (including an affiliate of JPMIM) in exchange for products or services that are research and brokerage-related and provide lawful and appropriate assistance in the performance of the investment decision-making process. These services include third party research, market data services, and proprietary broker-dealer research. The Funds receive proprietary research where broker-dealers typically incorporate the cost of such research into their commission structure. Many brokers do not assign a hard dollar value to the research they provide, but rather bundle the cost of such research into their commission structure. It is noted in this regard that some research that is available only under a bundled commission structure is particularly important to the investment process. However, the Funds, other than the actively managed U.S. Equity Funds and certain other funds with actively managed U.S. Equity assets as a portion of their broader investment strategy, do not participate in soft dollar arrangements for market data services and third-party research.
The actively managed U.S. Equity Funds and certain other Funds with actively managed U.S. Equity assets as a portion of their broader investment strategy (“Actively Managed U.S. Equity Funds”) participate in soft dollar arrangements whereby a broker-dealer (including an affiliate of JPMIM) provides market data services and third-party research in addition to proprietary research. In order to obtain such research, the Adviser may utilize a Client Commission Arrangement (“CCA”). CCAs are agreements
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between an investment adviser and executing broker whereby the investment adviser and the broker agree to allocate a portion of commissions to a pool of credits maintained by the broker that are used to pay for eligible brokerage and research services. The Adviser will only enter into and utilize CCAs to the extent permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act. As required by interpretive guidance issued by the SEC, any CCAs entered into by the Adviser with respect to commissions generated by the Actively Managed U.S. Equity Funds will provide that: (1) the broker-dealer pay the research preparer directly; and (2) the broker-dealer take steps to assure itself that the client commissions that the Adviser directs it to use to pay for such services are only for eligible research under Section 28(e).
Investment decisions for each Fund are made independently from those for the other Funds or any other investment company or account managed by an Adviser. Any such other investment company or account may also invest in the same securities as the Trusts. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of a given Fund and another Fund, investment company or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price, and available investments allocated as to amount, in a manner which the Adviser of the given Fund believes to be equitable to the Fund(s) and such other investment company or account. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained by a Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased by it for a Fund with those to be sold or purchased by it for other Funds or for other investment companies or accounts in order to obtain best execution. In making investment recommendations for the Trusts, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Trusts is a customer of the Adviser or their parents or subsidiaries or affiliates and in dealing with its commercial customers, the Adviser and their respective parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers are held by the Trusts.
In the European Union (“EU”) and the United Kingdom (“UK”) investment managers, including a segment of the operations of the Adviser, are required to either pay for research regarding certain types of securities and issuers out of their own resources or agree with clients to have those research costs paid by clients through research payment accounts that are funded out of trading commissions or by a specific client research charge, provided that the payments for research are unbundled from the payments for execution. Where such a restriction applies, the Adviser will pay for any research out of its own resources and not through soft dollars or CCAs. Certain brokers may not accept payments from the Adviser for such research in which case they would not be compensated for any research attributable to those clients. Additionally, these requirements have had, and may continue to have, practical ramifications outside the EU and the UK with respect to how U.S. asset managers acting under the delegated authority of an EU-based asset manager and U.S. asset managers that are part of a global asset management group with one or more EU affiliates restructure the way they procure, value and pay for research under U.S. laws and regulations. It is difficult to predict the full impact of these requirements on the Funds, the Adviser and any sub-advisers.
Sub-Advisers
Sub-Adviser may place orders for the purchase and sale of securities that are held in the Fund. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, it is the policy and principal objective of each Sub-Adviser to seek best execution. Each Sub-Adviser is required to consider all factors that it deems relevant when assessing best execution for the Fund, including, for example, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any (for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis).
In addition, when selecting brokers to execute transactions and in evaluating the best execution, each Sub-Adviser is authorized to consider the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provided by the broker. Each Sub-Adviser is also authorized to cause the Fund to pay a commission to a broker who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. Each Sub-Adviser must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which each Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion. Brokerage and research services received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by each Sub-Adviser. The Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities through brokers who provide a Sub-Adviser with brokerage and research services.
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The fees of each Sub-Adviser are not reduced by reason of its receipt of such brokerage and research services. Generally, a Sub-Adviser does not provide any services to the Fund except portfolio investment management and related record-keeping services. The Adviser may request that a Sub-Adviser employ certain specific brokers who have agreed to pay certain Fund expenses. The use of such brokers is subject to best execution, and there is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers.
It is possible that certain of the services received by a Sub-Adviser attributable to a particular transaction will primarily benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised by the Sub-Adviser.
For details of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds, see “BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES — Brokerage Commissions” in Part I of this SAI.
For details of the Funds’ ownership of securities of the Funds’ regular broker dealers, see “BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES — Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers” in Part I of this SAI.
OVERVIEW OF SERVICE PROVIDER AGREEMENTS
The following sections provide an overview of the J.P. Morgan Funds’ agreements with various service providers including the Administrator, Distributor, Custodian, Transfer Agent, and Shareholder Servicing Agent. As indicated below, some of the service agreements for the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds and other J.P. Morgan Funds are different than the services agreements for the other JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds. For purposes of distinguishing between the agreements and expenses, the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds other than the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds are referred to in the following as the “JPMorgan SR Funds.”
ADMINISTRATOR
JPMIM (the “Administrator”) serves as the administrator to the Funds, pursuant to an Administration Agreement dated February 19, 2005, as amended from time to time (the “Administration Agreement”), between the Trusts, on behalf of the Funds, and JPMIM, JPMDS and JPMorgan Chase Bank and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, JPMIM performs or supervises all operations of each Fund for which it serves (other than those performed under the advisory agreement, any sub-advisory agreements, the custodian and fund accounting agreement, and the transfer agency agreement for that Fund). Under the Administration Agreement, JPMIM has agreed to maintain the necessary office space for the Funds, and to furnish certain other services required by the Funds with respect to each Fund. The Administrator prepares annual and semi-annual reports to the SEC, prepares federal and state tax returns and generally assists in all aspects of the Funds’ operations other than those performed under the advisory agreement, any sub-advisory agreements, the custodian and fund accounting agreement, and the transfer agency agreement. JPMIM may, at its expense, subcontract with any entity or person concerning the provision of services under the Administration Agreement. JPMorgan Chase Bank serves as the Funds’ sub-administrator (the “Sub-administrator”). The Administrator pays JPMorgan Chase Bank a fee for its services as the Funds’ Sub-administrator. Effective January 1, 2019, the Administrator does not receive a separate fee for services to the J.P. Morgan Investor Funds but does receive fees for its services to the underlying funds.
If not terminated, the Administration Agreement continues in effect for annual periods beyond October 31 of each year, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Trustees who are not parties to the Administration Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The Administration Agreement may be terminated without penalty, on not less than 60 days’ prior written notice, by the Board of Trustees of each Trust or by JPMIM. The termination of the Administration Agreement with respect to one Fund will not result in the termination of the Administration Agreement with respect to any other Fund.
The Administration Agreement provides that JPMIM shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or from the reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties thereunder.
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In consideration of the services to be provided by JPMIM pursuant to the Administration Agreement, prior to January 1, 2019, JPMIM received from each Fund a pro rata portion of a fee computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate equal to 0.15% of the first $25 billion of average daily net assets of all funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex (excluding certain funds of funds and the series of J.P. Morgan Funds Complex that operate as money market funds (each a “Money Market Fund”)) and 0.075% of average daily net assets of all funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex (excluding certain funds of funds and the Money Market Funds) over $25 billion of such assets. For purposes of this paragraph, the “J.P. Morgan Funds Complex” includes most of the open-end investment companies in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex, including the series of the former One Group Mutual Funds. Effective January 1, 2019, JPMIM receives the following annual fee from each Fund for administration services: 0.075% of the first $10 billion of average daily net assets of the Fund, plus 0.050% of average daily net assets of the Fund between $10 billion and $20 billion, plus 0.025% of average daily net assets of the Fund between $20 billion and $25 billion, plus 0.010% of average daily net assets of the Fund over $25 billion.
With respect to the Money Market Funds, in consideration of the services provided by JPMIM pursuant to the Administration Agreement, prior to January 1, 2019, JPMIM receives from each Fund a pro-rata portion of a fee computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.10% on the first $100 billion of the average daily net assets of all the money market funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex and 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the money market funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex over $100 billion. Effective January 1, 2019, JPMIM receives a pro-rata portion of the following annual fee on behalf of each Money Market Fund for administration services: 0.070% of the first $150 billion of average daily net assets of all money market funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex, plus 0.050% of average daily net assets of such Money Market Funds between $150 billion and $300 billion, plus 0.030% of average daily net assets of such Money Market Funds between $300 billion and $400 billion, plus 0.010% of average daily net assets of such Money Market Funds over $400 billion. For purposes of this paragraph, the “J.P. Morgan Funds Complex” includes most of the open-end investment companies in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex including the series of the former One Group Mutual Funds.
With respect to the Investor Funds, in consideration of the services provided by JPMIM pursuant to the Administration Agreement, prior to January 1, 2019, JPMIM received from each Fund a pro rata portion of a fee computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.10% of the first $500 million of average daily net assets of all the Investor Funds in the J.P. Morgan Funds Complex, 0.075% of average daily net assets of such Investor Funds between $500 million and $1 billion, plus 0.05% of average daily net assets of such Investor Funds over of $1 billion. Effective January 1, 2019, JPMIM does not receive a separate fee for administration services to the Investor Funds, but does receive fees for its services to the underlying funds.
JPMIM does not receive a separate fee for administration services to the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds, but does receive fees for its services to the underlying funds.
For details of the administration and administrative services fees paid or accrued, see “ADMINISTRATOR — Administration Fees” in Part I of this SAI.
DISTRIBUTOR
JPMDS serves as the distributor for all the Trusts and holds itself available to receive purchase orders for shares of each of the Funds. In that capacity, JPMDS has been granted the right, as agent of each Trust, to solicit and accept orders for the purchase of shares of each of the Funds in accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement between each Trust and JPMDS. JPMDS began serving as JPMT II’s distributor pursuant to a Distribution Agreement dated as of April 1, 2002. JPMDS is an affiliate of the Advisers, the Administrator and JPMorgan Chase Bank and is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase. The principal offices of JPMDS are located at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240.
Unless otherwise terminated, the Distribution Agreement with JPMDS will continue in effect for successive one-year terms if approved at least annually by: (a) the vote of the Board of Trustees, including the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting for the purpose of voting on such approval, or (b) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without penalty on not less than 60 days’ prior written notice by the Board of Trustees, by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by JPMDS. The termination of the Distribution Agreement with respect to one Fund will not result in the
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termination of the Distribution Agreement with respect to any other Fund. The Distribution Agreement may also be terminated in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act. JPMDS is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
For details of the compensation paid to the principal underwriter, JPMDS, see “DISTRIBUTOR —Compensation paid to JPMDS” in Part I of this SAI.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
Certain Funds have adopted a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Distribution Plan”) on behalf of the Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Class R2 Shares, Class R3 Shares, Morgan Shares, Reserve Shares, Service Shares and E*TRADE Class Shares of the applicable Funds, which provides that each of such classes shall pay for distribution services a distribution fee (the “Distribution Fee”) to JPMDS, at annual rates not to exceed the amounts set forth in each applicable Fund’s prospectuses. The Class L Shares, Class I Shares, Institutional Class Shares, Class R4 Shares, Class R5 Shares, Investor Shares, Class R6 Shares, IM Shares, Premier Shares, Capital Shares, Agency Shares, Agency SL Shares, Academy Shares and Empower Shares of the Funds have no Distribution Plan. Effective January 31, 2023, Class C Shares of the Money Market Funds were converted into Reserve Class Shares.
The Distribution Fees are paid by the Funds to JPMDS as compensation for its services and expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares. JPMDS in turn pays all or part of these Distribution Fees to Financial Intermediaries that have agreements with JPMDS to sell shares of the Funds. In addition, JPMDS may use the Distribution Fees payable under the Distribution Plan to finance any other activity that is primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares, including, but not limited to, (i) the development, formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including direct mail promotions and television, radio, magazine, newspaper, electronic and media advertising; (ii) the preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports and any supplements thereto (other than prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports and any supplements thereto used for regulatory purposes or distributed to existing shareholders of each Fund); (iii) the preparation, printing and distribution of sales and promotional materials and sales literature which is provided to various entities and individuals, including brokers, dealers, financial institutions, financial intermediaries, shareholders, and prospective investors in each Fund; (iv) expenditures for sales or distribution support services, including meetings with and assistance to brokers, dealers, financial institutions, and financial intermediaries and in-house telemarketing support services and expenses; (v) preparation of information, analyses, surveys, and opinions with respect to marketing and promotional activities, including those based on meetings with and feedback from JPMDS’s sales force and others including potential investors, shareholders and financial intermediaries; (vi) commissions, incentive compensation, finders’ fees, or other compensation paid to, and expenses of employees of JPMDS, brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions and financial intermediaries that are attributable to any distribution and/or sales support activities, including interest expenses and other costs associated with financing of such commissions, incentive compensation, other compensation, fees, and expenses; (vii) travel, promotional materials, equipment, printing, delivery and mailing costs, overhead and other office expenses of JPMDS and its sales force attributable to any distribution and/or sales support activities, including meetings with brokers, dealers, financial institutions and financial intermediaries in order to provide them with information regarding the Funds and their investment process and management; (viii) the costs of administering the Distribution Plan; (ix) expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars; and (x) any other costs and expenses relating to any distribution and/or sales support activities. Activities intended to promote one class of shares of a Fund may also benefit the Fund’s other shares and other Funds. Anticipated benefits to the Funds that may result from the adoption of the Distribution Plan are economic advantages achieved through economies of scale and enhanced viability if the Funds accumulate a critical mass.
Class A, Class C and Class R2 Shares. Class A Shares of the Funds pay a Distribution Fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. Class R2 Shares of the Funds pay a Distribution Fee of 0.50% of average daily net assets. Class C Shares of the Funds pay a Distribution Fee of 0.75% of average daily nets assets. Where a broker-dealer pays a Finder’s Fee (as described in a Fund’s prospectus) on the sale of Class A Shares of a Fund, JPMDS currently expects to pay sales commissions to the broker-dealer at the time of the sale even though the sale is not subject to a front-end sales charge. JPMDS currently also expects to pay sales commissions to a dealer at the time of sale of Class C Shares of the Funds of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of the shares sold by such dealer. JPMDS will use its own funds (which may be borrowed or
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otherwise financed) to pay such commissions and generally recoups such amounts through collection of the Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Fee and any contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”). Distribution Fees paid to JPMDS under the Distribution Plan may be paid by JPMDS to broker-dealers as distribution fees in an amount not to exceed 0.25% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Class A Shares or 0.75% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Class C Shares or 0.50% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Class R2 Shares maintained in a Fund by such broker-dealers’ customers. Such payments on Class A (except where a Finder’s Fee is paid) and Class R2 Shares will be paid to broker- dealers promptly after the shares are purchased. Such payments on Class C Shares and Class A Shares (where a Finder’s Fee is paid) will be paid to broker-dealers beginning in the 13th month following the purchase of such shares, except certain broker/dealers who have sold Class C Shares to certain defined contribution plans and who have waived the 1.00% sales commission shall be paid distribution and shareholder servicing fees promptly after the shares are purchased. If the broker-dealer is not paid the Distribution Fee until the 13th month following a transaction, JPMDS retains the fee.
Since the Distribution Fee is not directly tied to expenses, the amount of Distribution Fees paid by a class of a Fund during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the Distribution Plan. For this reason, this type of distribution fee arrangement is characterized by the staff of the SEC as being of the “compensation” variety (in contrast to “reimbursement” arrangements by which a distributor’s payments are directly linked to its expenses). With respect to Class C Shares of the Funds, because of the 0.75% annual limitation on the compensation paid to JPMDS during a fiscal year, compensation relating to a large portion of the commissions attributable to sales of Class C Shares in any one year will be accrued and paid by a Fund to JPMDS in fiscal years subsequent. However, the shares are not liable for any distribution expenses incurred in excess of the Distribution Fee paid.
Money Market Funds. Distribution Fees paid to JPMDS under the Distribution Plans adopted by the Money Market Funds may be paid by JPMDS to broker-dealers as distributions fees in an amount not to exceed 0.25% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Reserve Shares, 0.10% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the Morgan Shares (except for Morgan Shares of the Prime Money Market Fund), 0.60% annualized of the average daily net asset value of the E*TRADE and Service Shares, maintained in a Fund by such broker-dealers’ customers. Since the distribution fees are not directly tied to expenses, the amount of Distribution Fees paid by a class of a Fund during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the Distribution Plan. For this reason, this type of distribution fee arrangement is characterized by the staff of the SEC as being of the “compensation variety” (in contrast to “reimbursement” arrangements by which a distributor’s payments are directly linked to its expenses). No class of shares of a Fund will make payments or be liable for any distribution expenses incurred by other classes of shares of any Fund.
JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates may from time to time, at its or their own expense, out of compensation retained by them from the Funds or from other sources available to them, make additional payments to certain Financial Intermediaries for their marketing support services. Such compensation does not represent an additional expense to the Funds or to their shareholders, since it will be paid by JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates. See “ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES” below.
The Distribution Plan provides that it will continue in effect indefinitely if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trusts and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreement related to such plan (“Qualified Trustees”). The Distribution Plan may be terminated, with respect to any class of a Fund, at any time by a vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the class of such Fund to which it applies (as defined in the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder). The Distribution Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of permitted expenses thereunder without the approval of the affected shareholders and may not be materially amended in any case without a vote of the majority of both the Trustees and the Qualified Trustees. Each of the Funds will preserve copies of any plan, agreement or report made pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for a period of not less than six years from the date of such plan, agreement or report, and for the first two years such copies will be preserved in an easily accessible place. The Board of Trustees will review at least on a quarterly basis written reports of the amounts expended under the Distribution Plan indicating the purposes for which such expenditures were made. The selection and nomination of Qualified Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the disinterested Trustees (as defined in the 1940 Act) then in office.
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For details of the Distribution Fees that the Funds paid to or that were accrued by JPMDS, see “DISTRIBUTOR — Distribution Fees” in Part I of this SAI.
CUSTODIAN
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Global Custody and Fund Accounting Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179 (the “JPMorgan Custody Agreement”), JPMorgan Chase Bank serves as the custodian and fund accounting agent for each of the Funds. Pursuant to the JPMorgan Custody Agreement, JPMorgan Chase Bank is responsible for holding portfolio securities and cash and maintaining the books of account and records of portfolio transactions. JPMorgan Chase Bank is an affiliate of the Advisers, the Administrator and JPMDS.
CUSTODY AND FUND ACCOUNTING FEES AND EXPENSES
Fees Beginning December 1, 2019
For custodian services beginning December 1, 2019, each Fund will pay to JPMorgan Chase Bank annual safekeeping fees of between 0.0005% and 0.50% of assets held by JPMorgan Chase Bank (depending on the domicile in which the asset is held), calculated monthly in arrears and fees between $2.25 and $100 for securities trades (depending on the domicile in which the trade is settled), as well as additional transaction fees on certain activities of $2.25 to $50 per transaction. JPMorgan Chase Bank is also reimbursed for its reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not limited to, registration and transfer fees and related legal fees.
JPMorgan Chase Bank may also be paid for the following additional custody services:
•
$15 or $45 per proxy (depending on the country where the issuer is located) for its service which helps facilitate the voting of proxies throughout the world. For securities in the U.S. market, this fee is waived if the Adviser votes the proxies directly;
•
$2,000 per year for account maintenance for each custody collateral control account;
•
$2.25 or $15 for income or redemption processing (depending on whether the security is held book entry or physically); and
•
$2.50 to $53.50 for each cash payment or receipt transaction.
With respect to fund accounting services, the following schedule shall be employed in the calculation of the fees payable for the services provided under the JPMorgan Custody Agreement. For purposes of determining the asset levels at which a tier applies, assets for that fund type across J.P. Morgan Funds (including any Cayman subsidiaries) shall be used. 
Money Market Funds1:
 
Tier One
First $250 billion
0.0013%
Tier Two
Over $250 billion
0.0010%
All Funds except Money Market Funds:
 
Tier One
Up to $100 billion
0.00375%
Tier Two
$100 billion to $175 billion
0.0030%
Tier Three
Over $175 billion
0.0020%
Other Fees:
 
Additional Share Classes (this additional class
expense applies after the tenth class)
 
$2,000 per Class
Daily Market-based Net Asset Value Calculation
for Money Market Funds
 
$15,000 per Fund
Hourly Net Asset Value Calculation for Money
Market Funds
 
$5,000 per Fund
Floating NAV Support for Money Market Funds
 
$85,000 per Fund
1
A cap on fund accounting fees for each Money Market Fund will be set at $1,400,000 per year. This cap may be reviewed annually for possible adjustment. 
Annual Minimums:
 
Money Market Funds
$15,000 per Fund
All Other Funds
$20,000 per Fund
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In addition, JPMorgan Chase Bank provides additional servicing for certain types of more complex assets. The fees for these services include a transaction fee of $50 for each manual trade and an annual fee of $500 for each bank loan position held by a Fund. In addition, JPMorgan Chase Bank will be paid fees of $0.50 to $4.50 per position per day for the valuation and processing of certain asset positions covered by these services.
If agreed-upon by the Funds and JPMorgan Chase Bank, custodian fees may, from time to time, be reduced by amounts calculated as a percentage of uninvested balances for certain Funds.
A Fund and/or its Cayman subsidiary, as applicable, may at times hold some of their assets in cash, which may subject the Fund and/or the Cayman subsidiary, as applicable, to additional risks and costs, such as increased credit exposure to the custodian bank and fees imposed for cash balances. Cash positions may also hurt the Fund’s and/or the Cayman subsidiary’s performance.
Fees Beginning December 1, 2022
For custodian services beginning December 1, 2022, each Fund will pay to JPMorgan Chase Bank annual safekeeping fees of between 0.0004% and 0.50% of assets held by JPMorgan Chase Bank (depending on the domicile in which the asset is held), calculated monthly in arrears and fees between $2.25 and $100 for securities trades (depending on the domicile in which the trade is settled), as well as additional transaction fees on certain activities of $2.20 to $50 per transaction. JPMorgan Chase Bank is also reimbursed for its reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not limited to, registration and transfer fees and related legal fees.
JPMorgan Chase Bank may also be paid for the following additional custody services:
•
$15 or $45 per proxy (depending on the country where the issuer is located) for its service which helps facilitate the voting of proxies throughout the world. For securities in the U.S. market, this fee is waived if the Adviser votes the proxies directly;
•
$1,900 per year for account maintenance for each custody collateral control account;
•
$2.25 or $15 for income or redemption processing (depending on whether the security is held book entry or physically); and
•
$2.50 to $50 for each cash payment or receipt transaction.
With respect to fund accounting services, the following schedule shall be employed in the calculation of the fees payable for the services provided under the JPMorgan Custody Agreement. For purposes of determining the asset levels at which a tier applies, assets for that fund type across J.P. Morgan Funds (including any Cayman subsidiaries) shall be used. 
Money Market Funds1:
 
Tier One
First $250 billion
0.0013%
Tier Two
Over $250 billion
0.0010%
All Funds except Money Market Funds:
 
Tier One
Up to $100 billion
0.00375%
Tier Two
$100 billion to $175 billion
0.0030%
Tier Three
$175 billion to $600 billion
0.0020%
Tier Four
Over $600 billion
0.0015%
Other Fees:
 
Additional Share Classes (this additional class
expense applies after the tenth class)
 
$2,000 per Class
Daily Market-based Net Asset Value Calculation
for Money Market Funds
 
$15,000 per Fund
Hourly Net Asset Value Calculation for Money
Market Funds
 
$5,000 per Fund
Floating NAV Support for Money Market Funds
 
$100,000 per Fund
1
A cap on fund accounting fees for each Money Market Fund will be set at $1,400,000 per year. This cap may be reviewed annually for possible adjustment. 
Annual Minimums:
 
Money Market Funds
$15,000 per Fund
All Other Funds
$20,000 per Fund
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In addition, JPMorgan Chase Bank provides additional servicing for certain types of more complex assets. The fees for these services include monthly transaction fee of $12 for processing each Contract for Difference position, a transaction fee of $50 for each manual trade and an annual fee of $500 for each bank loan position held by a Fund. In addition, JPMorgan Chase Bank will be paid fees of $1.00 to $4.50 per position per day for the valuation and processing of certain asset positions covered by these services.
If agreed-upon by the Funds and JPMorgan Chase Bank, custodian fees may, from time to time, be reduced by amounts calculated as a percentage of uninvested balances for certain Funds.
A Fund and/or its Cayman subsidiary, as applicable, may at times hold some of their assets in cash, which may subject the Fund and/or the Cayman subsidiary, as applicable, to additional risks and costs, such as increased credit exposure to the custodian bank and fees imposed for cash balances. Cash positions may also hurt the Fund’s and/or the Cayman subsidiary’s performance.
TRANSFER AGENT
DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (formerly Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.) (“DST” or “Transfer Agent”), 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169, serves as each Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. As transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, DST is responsible for maintaining account records, detailing the ownership of Fund shares and for crediting income, capital gains and other changes in share ownership to shareholder accounts.
SECURITIES LENDING AGENT
To generate additional income, certain Funds may lend up to 33  1∕3% of their total assets pursuant to agreements (“Borrower Agreements”) requiring that the loan be continuously secured by cash. Citibank serves as securities lending agent pursuant to the Securities Lending Agency Agreement effective October 4, 2018. To the extent that the Funds have engaged in securities lending during the most recently completed fiscal year, information concerning the amounts of income and fees/compensation related to securities lending activities is included in Part I of the applicable Funds’ SAI in the Fund’s next annual update to its registration statement.
Under the Securities Lending Agency Agreement, Citibank acting as agent for the Funds, loans securities to approved borrowers pursuant to Borrower Agreements substantially in the form approved by the Board of Trustees in exchange for collateral. During the term of the loan, the Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral in accordance with investment guidelines contained in the Securities Lending Agency Agreement. The Fund retains the interest on cash collateral investments but is required to pay the borrower a rebate for the use of cash collateral. The net income earned on the securities lending (after payment of rebates and the lending agent’s fee) is included in the Statement of Operations as income from securities lending (net in the Fund’s financial statements). Information on the investment of cash collateral is shown in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments (in the Fund’s financial statements).
Under the Securities Lending Agency Agreement, Citibank is entitled to a fee equal to 8% of (i) the investment income (net of rebates) on cash collateral delivered to Citibank on the Fund’s behalf in respect of any loans by the Borrowers; and (ii) fees paid by a Borrower with respect to a Loan for which non-cash collateral is provided (to the extent that the Funds subsequently authorize Citibank to accept non-cash collateral for securities loans).
A report of a Fund’s percentage on loan as of the prior calendar quarter may be obtained by calling the Financial Advisor Services Line at 1-800-343-1113. In addition, a report for the JPMorgan SmartRetirement Funds and JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend Funds showing the percentage on loan for the Funds as of the prior calendar quarter may be obtained by calling the Financial Advisor Services Line at 1-800-343-1113. Information concerning percentage on loan is derived from information provided by Citibank as the securities lending agent, has not been audited and may differ from that reported in other publicly available information.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
The Trusts, on behalf of the Funds, have entered into a shareholder servicing agreement, effective February 19, 2005, with JPMDS (“Shareholder Servicing Agreement”). Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement, JPMDS will provide, or cause its agents to provide, any combination of the (i) personal
Part II - 134
shareholder liaison services and shareholder account information services (“Shareholder Services”) described below and/or (ii) other related services (“Other Related Services”) as also described below. JPMDS is an affiliate of the Advisers, Administrator and JPMorgan Chase Bank.
“Shareholder Services” include (a) answering shareholder inquiries (through electronic and other means) regarding account status and history, the manner in which purchases and redemptions of Fund shares may be effected, and certain other matters pertaining to the Funds; (b) providing shareholders with information through electronic means; (c) assisting shareholders in completing application forms, designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (d) arranging for or assisting shareholders with respect to the wiring of the funds to and from shareholder accounts in connection with shareholder orders to purchase, redeem or exchange shares; (e) verifying shareholder requests for changes to account information; (f) handling correspondence from shareholders about their accounts; (g) assisting in establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts with the Trusts; and (h) providing other shareholder services as the Trusts or a shareholder may reasonably request, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
“Other Related Services” include (a) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders for shares; (b) providing shareholders with account statements showing their purchases, sales, and positions in the applicable Fund; (c) processing dividend payments for the applicable Fund; (d) providing sub-accounting services to the Trusts for shares held for the benefit of shareholders; (e) forwarding communications from the Trusts to shareholders, including proxy statements and proxy solicitation materials, shareholder reports, dividend and tax notices, and updated Prospectuses and SAIs; (f) receiving, tabulating and transmitting proxies executed by shareholders; (g) facilitating the transmission and receipt of funds in connection with shareholder orders to purchase, redeem or exchange shares; (h) developing and maintaining the Trusts’ website; (i) developing and maintaining facilities to enable transmission of share transactions by electronic and non-electronic means; (j) providing support and related services to Financial Intermediaries in order to facilitate their processing of orders and communications with shareholders; (k) providing transmission and other functionalities for shares included in investment, retirement, asset allocation, cash management or sweep programs or similar programs or services; and (l) developing and maintaining check writing functionality.
For details of fees paid by the Funds to JPMDS for Shareholder Services and Other Related Services under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement, see “SHAREHOLDER SERVICING — Shareholder Services Fees” in Part I of this SAI.
To the extent it is not otherwise required by its contractual agreement to limit a Fund’s expenses as described in the Prospectuses for the Funds, JPMDS may voluntarily agree from time to time to waive a portion of the fees payable to it under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement with respect to each Fund on a month-to-month basis.
If not terminated, the Shareholder Servicing Agreement will continue for successive one year terms beyond October 31 of each year, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts who are not parties to the Shareholder Servicing Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Shareholder Servicing Agreement may be terminated without penalty, on not less than 60 days’ prior written notice, by the Board of Trustees of the Trusts or by JPMDS. The Shareholder Servicing Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
JPMDS may enter into service agreements with Financial Intermediaries under which it will pay all or a portion of such fees received from the Funds to such entities for performing Shareholder Services and/or Other Related Services, as described above, for shareholders. Such Financial Intermediaries may include affiliates of JPMDS.
JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates may from time to time, at its or their own expense, out of compensation retained by them from the Funds or from other sources available to them, make additional payments to certain Financial Intermediaries for performing “Other Related Services” for their customers. These services include the services listed in paragraph beginning “Other Related Services” above. Such compensation does not represent an additional expense to the Funds or to their shareholders, since it will be paid by JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates.
For shareholders that bank with JPMorgan Chase Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank may aggregate investments in the Funds with balances held in JPMorgan Chase Bank accounts for purposes of determining eligibility for certain bank privileges that are based on specified minimum balance requirements, such as reduced or no fees for certain banking services or preferred rates on loans and
Part II - 135
deposits. For certain shareholders that are not natural persons, JPMorgan Chase Bank and/or its affiliates will have monthly visibility into JPMIM revenue information attributable to those shareholders, and with respect to money market funds daily visibility into account balance information, for internal analysis and management reporting and relationship management purposes, including but not limited to, the ability to perform necessary internal credit and risk monitoring.
Furthermore, JPMDS, the Funds and their affiliates, agents and subagents may share certain information about shareholders and their accounts, as permitted by law and, with respect to personal information about individual shareholders (that is, natural persons and not entities), as described in the J.P. Morgan Funds Privacy Policy provided with your shareholder report.
EXPENSES
The Funds pay the expenses incurred in their operations, including their pro-rata share of expenses of the Trusts. These expenses include: investment advisory and administrative fees; the compensation of the Trustees; registration fees; interest charges; taxes; expenses connected with the execution, recording and settlement of security transactions; fees and expenses of the Funds’ custodian for all services to the Funds, including safekeeping of funds and securities and maintaining required books and accounts; expenses of preparing and mailing reports to investors and to government offices and commissions; expenses of meetings of investors; fees and expenses of independent accountants, legal counsel and any transfer agent, registrar or dividend disbursing agent of the Trusts; insurance premiums; and expenses of calculating the NAV of, and the net income on, shares of the Funds. Shareholder servicing and distribution fees are all allocated to specific classes of the Funds. In addition, the Funds may allocate transfer agency and certain other expenses by class. Service providers to a Fund may, from time to time, voluntarily waive all or a portion of any fees to which they are entitled and/or reimburse certain expenses as they may determine from time to time. A Fund’s service providers may discontinue or modify these voluntary actions at any time without notice. Performance for certain Funds reflects the voluntary waiver of fees and/or the reimbursement of expenses. Without these voluntary waivers and/or expense reimbursements, performance would have been less favorable.
Prior to November 1, 2017, the Administrator paid many of the ordinary expenses incurred by the JPMorgan SR Funds in their operations including organization costs, taxes, ordinary fees and expenses for legal and auditing services, fees and expenses of pricing services, the expenses of preparing (including typesetting), printing and mailing reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy solicitation material and notices to existing shareholders, all expenses incurred in connection with issuing and redeeming shares, the cost of custodial and fund accounting services, and the cost of initial and ongoing registration of the shares under Federal and state securities laws. Effective November 1, 2017, the JPMorgan SR Funds pay these expenses, as noted in the preceding paragraph.
JPMIM and JPMDS have agreed that they will waive fees or reimburse the Funds, as applicable, as described in the Prospectuses.
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
As described in “SHAREHOLDER SERVICING” in this SAI, JPMDS may enter into service agreements with Financial Intermediaries under which it will pay all or a portion of the shareholder servicing fees it receives from the Funds to such Financial Intermediaries for performing Shareholder Services and/or Other Related Services for Financial Intermediaries’ customers who are shareholders of the Funds. In addition, as described in “DISTRIBUTION PLAN” in this SAI, JPMDS may enter into Mutual Fund Sales Agreements with Financial Intermediaries under which it will pay all or a portion of the Distribution Fees it receives from the Funds to such Financial Intermediaries for providing distribution services and marketing support.
In addition, the Funds may enter into agreements with Financial Intermediaries pursuant to which the Funds will pay the Financial Intermediary for services such as networking, or sub-transfer agency and/or omnibus sub-accounting (collectively, “Omnibus Sub-Accounting”) or networking. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of clients serviced by such Financial Intermediary up to a set maximum dollar amount per shareholder account serviced, or (2) the number of accounts serviced by such Financial Intermediary. Any payments made pursuant to such agreements are in addition to, rather than in lieu of, Rule 12b-1 fees and shareholder servicing fees the Financial Intermediary may also be receiving pursuant to agreements with
Part II - 136
the Distributor and shareholder servicing agent, respectively. From time to time, JPMDS, JPMIM or their affiliates may pay a portion of the fees for networking or Omnibus Sub-Accounting at its or their own expense out of its or their own legitimate profits.
Financial Intermediaries may offer additional services to their customers, including specialized procedures and payment for the purchase and redemption of Fund shares, such as pre-authorized or systematic purchase and redemption programs, “sweep” programs, cash advances and redemption checks. Certain Financial Intermediaries may (although they are not required by the Trusts to do so) credit to the accounts of their customers from whom they are already receiving other fees amounts not exceeding such other fees or the fees for their services as Financial Intermediaries.
Financial Intermediaries may establish their own terms and conditions for providing their services and may charge investors a transaction-based or other fee for their services. Such charges may vary among Financial Intermediaries, but in all cases will be retained by the Financial Intermediary and will not be remitted to a Fund or JPMDS.
Certain Funds have authorized one or more Financial Intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on their behalf. Such Financial Intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on a Fund’s behalf. Such Funds will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Financial Intermediary or, if applicable, that Financial Intermediary’s authorized designee accepts the order. These orders will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next calculated after they are so accepted.
Effective April 3, 2017, the Funds ceased making direct payments to Financial Intermediaries for any applicable sub-transfer agency services. After this date, payments to Financial Intermediaries for sub-transfer agency services will be made by JPMDS from the service fee (formerly known as “shareholder service fee”). From time to time, JPMIM or its affiliates may pay a portion of the sub-transfer agency fees at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits.
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
JPMDS and JPMIM at their own expense out of their own legitimate profits, may provide additional compensation (“Additional Compensation”) to Financial Intermediaries. Additional Compensation may also be paid by other affiliates of JPMDS and JPMIM from time to time. These Additional Compensation payments are over and above any sales charges (including Rule 12b-1 fees), shareholder servicing, Omnibus Sub-Accounting or networking fees which are charged directly to the Funds and which are disclosed elsewhere in the Funds’ prospectuses or in this SAI. The categories of Additional Compensation are described below. These categories are not mutually exclusive and JPMDS and JPMIM and/or their affiliates may pay additional types of Additional Compensation in the future. The same Financial Intermediaries may receive payments under more than one or all categories. Not all Financial Intermediaries receive Additional Compensation payments and such payments may be different for different Financial Intermediaries or different types of funds (e.g., equity fund or fixed income fund). These payments may be significant to a Financial Intermediary and may be an important factor in a Financial Intermediary’s willingness to support the sale of the Funds through its distribution system. Additional Compensation payments are always made only to the firm, never to individuals other than occasional gifts and entertainment that are permitted by FINRA rules.
JPMIM and JPMDS and/or their affiliates may be motivated to pay Additional Compensation to promote the sale of Fund shares to clients of Financial Intermediaries and the retention of those investments by those clients. To the extent Financial Intermediaries sell more shares of the Funds or retain shares of the Funds in their clients’ accounts, JPMIM and JPMDS benefit from the incremental management and other fees paid by the Funds with respect to those assets.
The provision of Additional Compensation, the varying fee structure and the basis on which a Financial Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Financial Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend funds, including the Funds, or other investments based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. Additionally, if one mutual fund sponsor makes greater distribution payments than another, a Financial Intermediary may have an incentive to recommend that sponsor’s mutual fund over other mutual funds. Similarly, if a Financial Intermediary receives greater compensation for one share class versus another, that Financial Intermediary may have an incentive to recommend that share class. Shareholders should consider whether such incentives exist when evaluating any recommendations from a
Part II - 137
Financial Intermediary to purchase or sell shares of the Funds and when considering which share class is most appropriate. Shareholders should ask their salesperson or visit their Financial Intermediary’s website for more information.
Sales and Marketing Support. Additional Compensation may be paid to Financial Intermediaries for sales and marketing support. Marketing support may include access to a Financial Intermediary’s sales representatives and management representatives. Additional Compensation may also be paid to Financial Intermediaries for inclusion of the Funds on a firm’s list of offered products including a preferred or select sales list, in other sales programs or as an expense reimbursement. Additional Compensation may be calculated in basis points based on average net Fund assets attributable to the Financial Intermediary or sales of the Funds by the Financial Intermediary. Additional Compensation may also be fixed dollar amounts.
From time to time, JPMIM and JPMDS and their affiliates may provide, out of their own legitimate profits, financial assistance to Financial Intermediaries that enable JPMDS and JPMIM to sponsor and/or participate in and/or present at meeting, conferences or seminars, sales, training or educational programs, client and investor events, client prospecting retention, and due diligence events and other firm-sponsored events or other programs for the Financial Intermediaries’ registered representatives and employees. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event, and may include travel expenses, such as lodging incurred by registered representatives of the Financial Intermediaries. In addition, JPMIM and JPMDS and their affiliates may pay or reimburse sales representatives of Financial Intermediaries in the form of occasional gifts and occasional meals or entertainment events that JPMIM and JPMDS or their affiliates deem appropriate, subject to applicable law and regulations. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event or the relationship.
Administrative and Processing Support. JPMIM and/or JPMDS may also pay Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries for their administrative and processing support, including (i) record keeping, Omnibus Sub-Accounting and networking, to the extent that the Funds do not pay for these costs directly; (ii) reimbursement for ticket processing charges applied to Fund shares and (iii) one time payments for ancillary services such as setting up Funds on the Financial Intermediary’s mutual fund trading system/platform.
Identification of Financial Intermediaries
The following is a list of FINRA member firms (1) who have entered into written agreements with the Funds’ Adviser to receive Additional Compensation (excluding payments made for Omnibus Sub-Accounting services); and/or (2) who have received Additional Compensation for events and meetings that were sponsored in whole or in part by JPMDS.
1.
55I, LLC
2.
Academy Securities, Inc.
3.
American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.
4.
American Portfolios Financial Services
5.
American Veterans Group, PBC
6.
AMG Funds LLC
7.
Apex Clearing Corporation
8.
Bellator Asset Management LLC
9.
Blackrock Investments, LLC
10.
BofA Securities, Inc.
11.
Broadridge Business Process Outsourcing LLC
12.
Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc.
13.
Cetera Advisor Networks LLC
14.
Cetera Advisors LLC
Part II - 138
15.
Cetera Financial Specialists LLC
16.
Cetera Investment Services LLC
17.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
18.
Citco Securities Inc.
19.
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
20.
Commonfund Securities, Inc.
21.
Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc. (dba Commonwealth Financial Network)
22.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
23.
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc
24.
Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.
25.
Empower Financial Services, Inc.
26.
Envestnet Asset Management, Inc.
27.
Equitable Advisors, LLC
28.
E*TRADE Securities LLC
29.
Fidelity Brokerage Services
30.
Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser LLC
31.
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
32.
First Republic Securities Company, LLC
33.
FSC Securities Corp.
34.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
35.
Hilltop Securities Inc.
36.
Huntington Securities Inc.
37.
Infinex Investments, Inc.
38.
Ingalls & Snyder, LLC
39.
Institutional Bond Network, LLC
40.
Institutional Cash Distributors, LLC
41.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
42.
Jackson National Life Distributors, LLC
43.
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
44.
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp
45.
Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc.
46.
Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation
47.
LPL Financial LLC
48.
M&T Securities, Inc.
49.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
50.
Mischler Financial Group, Inc
51.
MML Investor Services, LLC
Part II - 139
52.
Moreton Capital Markets, LLC
53.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
54.
MSEC, LLC
55.
National Financial Services LLC
56.
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC
57.
Osaic Wealth, Inc.
58.
Othniel Financial Advisory Services LLC
59.
Pacific Financial Group, LLC
60.
Pershing LLC
61.
PNC Capital Markets LLC
62.
PNC Investments LLC
63.
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
64.
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
65.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
66.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
67.
Securities America Inc.
68.
State Street Global Markets, LLC
69.
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
70.
TD Ameritrade, Inc.
71.
Triad Advisors LLC
72.
U.S. Bancorp Investments Inc
73.
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
74.
Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
75.
Wedbush Securities, Inc.
76.
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC
77.
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
78.
Wells Fargo Securities LLC
79.
Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.
Other Financial Intermediaries, which are not members of FINRA, also may receive Additional Compensation.
For details of the amounts of Additional Compensation paid by the Funds’ Adviser to Financial Intermediaries (including both FINRA and Non-FINRA members) pursuant to written agreements including agreements for networking and Omnibus Sub-Accounting for all of the Funds, see “FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES — Other Cash Compensation” in Part I of this SAI.
For details of finders’ fee paid to Financial Intermediaries, see “FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES —Finders’ Fee Commissions” in Part I of this SAI.
TRUST COUNSEL
The law firm of Dechert LLP, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, is counsel to the Trusts.
Part II - 140
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The independent registered public accounting firm for the Trusts and the Funds is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducts an annual audit of the financial statements of each of the Funds and assists in the preparation and/or review of each Fund’s federal and state income tax returns.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund declares and pays dividends and distributions as described under “Distribution and Tax Matters” in the Prospectuses. Dividends may differ between classes as a result of differences in distribution expenses or other class-specific expenses.
Dividends and capital gains distributions paid by a Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless the shareholder has elected to have them paid in cash. Dividends and distributions to be paid in cash are credited to the shareholder’s pre-assigned bank account or are mailed by check in accordance with the customer’s instructions. The Funds reserve the right to discontinue, alter or limit the automatic reinvestment privilege at any time.
If a shareholder has elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to the shareholder’s address of record, such shareholder’s distribution option will automatically be converted to having all dividend and other distributions reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks. With regard to Funds that accrue dividends daily, dividends will only begin to accrue after a Fund receives payment for shares.
NET ASSET VALUE
Shares are sold at NAV per share, plus a sales charge, if any. This is also known as the offering price. Shares are also redeemed at NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges. Each class of shares in each Fund has a different NAV. This is primarily because each class has class specific expenses such as distribution and shareholder servicing fees.
The NAV per share of a class of a Fund is equal to the value of all the assets attributable to that class, minus the liabilities attributable to that class, divided by the number of outstanding shares of that class. The Money Market Funds, excluding Prime Money Market Fund, will continue to value their portfolio of securities using the amortized cost method provided that certain conditions are met, including that the Fund’s Board of Trustees continues to believe that the amortized cost valuation fairly reflects the market-based NAV per share of the Fund. The purpose of this method of calculation is to attempt to maintain a constant NAV per share of each Fund of $1.00. No assurances can be given that this goal can be attained. The amortized cost method of valuation values a security at its cost at the time of purchase and thereafter assumes an amortization that would produce a constant yield to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. The Board of Trustees has established procedures and directed certain officers of the Funds to monitor the differences between the NAVs calculated based on amortized cost and market value at predetermined intervals but no less frequently than weekly, and to report to the Board of Trustees such differences. If a difference of more than 1/2 of 1% occurs between valuation based on the amortized cost method and valuation based on market value, the Board of Trustees may take steps necessary to reduce such deviation if it believes that such deviation will result in material dilution or any unfair results to investors or existing shareholders. Actions that may be taken by the Board of Trustees include (i) redeeming shares in kind, (ii) selling portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten the average maturity of portfolio securities, (iii) withholding or supplementing dividends, (iv) utilizing a net asset value per share as determined by using available market quotations, or (v) reducing the number of outstanding Fund shares. Any reduction of outstanding shares will be accomplished by having each shareholder contribute to a Fund’s capital the necessary shares on a pro rata basis. Each shareholder will be deemed to have agreed to such contribution in these circumstances by his or her investment in the Funds. In its discretion, the Board of Trustees of the Money Market Funds may elect to calculate the price of a Fund’s shares once per day. Further, with regard to the Money Market Funds, the Board of Trustees has empowered management to temporarily suspend one or more cut-off times for a Fund, other than the last cut-off time of the day.
The NAV of each class of shares of the Prime Money Market Fund is calculated using market-based values. The following is a discussion of the procedures used by the Funds in valuing their assets for market-based NAVs.
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Securities for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued at their current market value. Other securities and assets, including securities for which market quotations are not readily available; market quotations are determined not to be reliable; or, their value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of trading on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a natural disaster affecting an entire country or region, or an event that affects an individual company) but before a Fund’s NAV is calculated, may be valued at its fair value in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the J.P. Morgan Funds’ Board of Trustees. Fair value represents a good faith determination of the value of a security or other asset based upon specifically applied procedures. Fair valuation determinations may require subjective determinations. There can be no assurance that the fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair value was used in determining the Fund’s NAV.
Equity securities listed on a North American, Central American, South American or Caribbean (“Americas”) securities exchange are generally valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which the security is principally traded that is reported before the time when the net assets of the Funds are valued. The value of securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. is generally the NASDAQ official closing price.
Generally, trading of foreign equity securities on most foreign markets (i.e., non-Western hemisphere) is completed before the close in trading in U.S. markets. The Funds have implemented fair value pricing on a daily basis for all foreign equity securities and investments with foreign equity reference obligations. The fair value pricing utilizes the quotations of an independent pricing service. Trading on foreign markets may also take place on days on which the U.S. markets and the Funds are closed.
Shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are generally valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which the ETF is principally traded. Shares of open-end mutual funds are valued at their respective NAVs.
Fixed income securities are valued using prices supplied by approved independent third party pricing services, affiliated pricing services or broker/dealers. In determining security prices, pricing services and broker/dealers may consider a variety of inputs and factors, including, but not limited to proprietary models that may take into account market transactions in securities with comparable characteristics, yield curves, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, underlying collateral and estimated cash flows.
Assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates from an approved independent pricing service as of 4:00 PM ET.
Options (e.g., on stock indices or equity securities) traded on U.S. equity securities exchanges are valued at the composite mean price, using the National Best Bid and Offer quotes at the close of options trading on such exchanges.
Options traded on foreign exchanges or U.S. commodity exchanges are valued at the settled price, or if no settled price is available, at the last sale price available prior to the calculation of a Fund’s NAV.
Exchange traded futures (e.g., on stock indices, debt securities or commodities) are valued at the settled price, or if no settled price is available, at the last sale price as of the close of the exchanges on which they trade.
Non-listed over-the-counter options and futures are valued at the evaluated price provided by a counterparty or broker/dealer.
Swaps and structured notes are priced generally by an approved independent third party or affiliated pricing service or at an evaluated price provided by a counterparty or broker/dealer.
Certain fixed income securities and swaps may be valued using prices provided by pricing services affiliated with the Adviser. Valuations received by the Funds from affiliated pricing services are the same as those provided to other affiliated and unaffiliated entities by these affiliated pricing services.
With respect to all Funds, securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations do not represent the value at the time of pricing (including certain illiquid securities) are fair valued in accordance with policies and procedures (“Policies”) established by and under the supervision and responsibility of the Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established an Audit and Valuation Committee to assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight of the valuation of the Funds’ securities and, in accordance with SEC Rule 2a-5 (Good Faith Determination of Fair Value), designated to J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of
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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (the “Adviser” or “JPMIM”), the responsibility for implementing the day-to-day operational aspects of the valuation process. The Adviser leverages the J.P. Morgan Asset Management (“JPMAM”) Americas Valuation Committee (“VC”) to oversee and carry out the Policies for the valuation of investments held in the Funds. The VC is comprised of senior representatives from various functions of the Adviser, including Investment Directors, Administrator, Control Management Organization, Compliance and Risk Management. Fair value situations could include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant event that affects the value of a Fund’s securities (e.g., news relating to natural disasters affecting an issuer’s operations or earnings announcements); (2) illiquid securities; (3) securities that may be defaulted or de-listed from an exchange and are no longer trading; or (4) any other circumstance in which the VC believes that market quotations do not accurately reflect the value of a security.
From time to time, there may be errors in the calculation of the NAV of a Fund or the processing of purchases and redemptions. Shareholders will generally not be notified of the occurrence of an error or the resolution thereof.
DELAWARE TRUSTS
JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV. JPMT I and JPMT II were each formed as Delaware statutory trusts on November 12, 2004 pursuant to separate Declarations of Trust dated November 5, 2004. JPMT I assumed J.P. Morgan Mutual Fund Series’ (“JPMMFS”) registration pursuant to the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act effective after the close of business on February 18, 2005, and JPMT II assumed One Group Mutual Funds’ registration pursuant to the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act effective after the close of business on February 18, 2005. JPMT IV was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on November 11, 2015 pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated November 11, 2015.
Under Delaware law, shareholders of a statutory trust shall have the same limitation of personal liability that is extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the trust’s governing trust instrument. JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s and JPMT IV’s Declarations of Trust each provides that shareholders of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV or any series or class thereof. In addition, the Declarations of Trust each provides that neither JPMT I, JPMT II, JPMT IV, nor the Trustees, officers, employees, nor agents thereof shall have any power to bind personally any shareholders nor to call upon any shareholder for payment of any sum of money or assessment other than such as the shareholder may personally agree to pay. Moreover, Declarations of Trust for JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV each expressly provide that the shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability that is extended to shareholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated in the State of Delaware.
The Declarations of Trust of JPMT I and JPMT II each provides for the indemnification out of the assets held with respect to a particular series of shares of any shareholder or former shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of a claim or demand relating to the person being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions. The Declarations of Trust of JPMT I and JPMT II each also provide that JPMT I and JPMT II, on behalf of the applicable series, may, at its option with prior written notice, assume the defense of any claim made against a shareholder.
JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s and JPMT IV’s Declarations of Trust each provides that JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV will indemnify their respective Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in which they may be involved because of their offices with JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV, unless, as to liability to JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV, or the shareholders thereof, the Trustees engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their offices. In addition, the Declarations of Trust each provides that any Trustee who has been determined to be an “audit committee financial expert” shall not be subject to a greater liability or duty of care because of such determination.
JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV shall continue without limitation of time subject to the provisions in the Declarations of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders or by action of the Trustees upon written notice to the shareholders.
JPMT I is party to an Agreement and Plan of Investment and Transfer of Assets dated January 17, 2006 pursuant to which it has agreed, out of the assets and property of certain Funds, to indemnify and hold harmless JPMorgan Chase Bank, in its corporate capacity and as trustee of certain common trust funds, and each of its directors and officers, for any breach by JPMT I of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements under such Agreement or any act, error, omission, neglect,
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misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by JPMT I or its Board of Trustees or officers, related to the transfer of assets from certain common trust funds to the respective Funds and other related transactions.
MASSACHUSETTS TRUSTS
JPMMFIT and UMF. JPMMFIT and UMF are organized as Massachusetts business trusts. The Growth Advantage Fund is a separate and distinct series of JPMMFIT. The JPMorgan Realty Income Fund and the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund are each a separate and distinct series of UMF. Copies of the Declarations of Trust of JPMMFIT and UMF are on file in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Declarations of Trust and By-laws of each of JPMMFIT and UMF are designed to make each Trust similar in most respects to a Massachusetts business corporation. The principal distinction between the two forms concerns shareholder liability as described below.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust, which is not the case for a corporation. However, each of JPMMFIT and UMF’s Declarations of Trust provide that the shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the acts or obligations of a Fund and that every written agreement, obligation, instrument or undertaking made on behalf of a Fund shall contain a provision to the effect that the shareholders are not personally liable thereunder.
No personal liability will attach to the shareholders under any undertaking containing such provision when adequate notice of such provision is given, except possibly in a few jurisdictions. With respect to all types of claims in the latter jurisdictions, (i) tort claims, (ii) contract claims where the provision referred to is omitted from the undertaking, (iii) claims for taxes, and (iv) certain statutory liabilities in other jurisdictions, a shareholder may be held personally liable to the extent that claims are not satisfied by the Funds. However, upon payment of such liability, the shareholder will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Funds. The Boards of Trustees intend to conduct the operations of JPMMFIT and UMF in such a way so as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Funds.
JPMMIT and UMF’s Declarations of Trust provides that each of JPMMFIT and UMF will indemnify their respective Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with JPMMFIT and UMF, unless, as to liability to JPMMFIT, UMF or their shareholders, it is finally adjudicated that the Trustees engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in their offices or with respect to any matter unless it is finally adjudicated that they did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of JPMMFIT or UMF. In the case of settlement, such indemnification will not be provided unless it has been determined by a court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or by a reasonable determination based upon a review of readily available facts, by vote of a majority of disinterested Trustees or in a written opinion of independent counsel, that such officers or Trustees have not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties.
JPMMFIT and UMF shall continue without limitation of time subject to the provisions in each of JPMMFIT and UMF’s Declarations of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders or by action of the Trustees upon notice to the shareholders.
MARYLAND CORPORATION
JPMFMFG. JPMFMFG is a diversified open-end management investment company which was organized as a Maryland corporation, on August 19, 1997. Effective April 30, 2003, the name of JPMFMFG was changed from Fleming Mutual Fund Group, Inc. to J.P. Morgan Fleming Mutual Fund Group, Inc.
The Articles of Incorporation of JPMFMFG provide that a Director shall be liable only for his own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the selection of officers, agents, employees or investment advisers, shall not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing of any such person. The Articles of Incorporation also provide that JPMFMFG will indemnify its Directors and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with JPMFMFG to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, nothing in the Articles of Incorporation shall protect or indemnify a Director against any liability for his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Shares of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV. JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV are open-end, management investment companies organized as Delaware statutory trusts. Each Fund represents a separate series of shares of beneficial interest. See “Delaware Trusts.”
The Declarations of Trust of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV each permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares ($0.0001 par value) of one or more series and classes within any series and to divide or combine the shares of any series or class without materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of such shares of such series or class in the assets held with respect to that series. Each share represents an equal beneficial interest in the net assets of a Fund with each other share of that Fund. The Trustees of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV may authorize the issuance of shares of additional series and the creation of classes of shares within any series with such preferences, voting powers, rights, duties and privileges as the Trustees may determine; however, the Trustees may not classify or change outstanding shares in a manner materially adverse to shareholders of each share. Upon liquidation of a Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of a Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. The rights of redemption and exchange are described in the Prospectuses and elsewhere in this SAI.
The shareholders of each Fund are entitled to one vote for each dollar of NAV (or a proportionate fractional vote with respect to the remainder of the NAV of shares, if any), on matters on which shares of a Fund shall be entitled to vote. Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, to lengthen their own terms, or to make their terms of unlimited duration subject to certain removal procedures, and appoint their own successors, provided, however, that immediately after such appointment the requisite majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV respectively. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative with respect to the election of Trustees. It is the intention of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV not to hold meetings of shareholders annually. The Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required by either the 1940 Act or the Declarations of Trust of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV.
Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or class. Expenses of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all of their series in a manner deemed by the Trustees to be fair and equitable. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights, and when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares of each series or class generally vote together, except when required under federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that may affect a particular series or class, such as the approval of a management agreement for a particular series or the approval of a distribution plan for a particular class.
The Trustees of JPMT I, JPMT II and JPMT IV may, without shareholder approval (unless otherwise required by applicable law): (i) cause JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV, to merge or consolidate with or into one or more trusts (or series thereof to the extent permitted by law), partnerships, associations, corporations or other business entities (including trusts, partnerships, associations, corporations, or other business entities created by the Trustees to accomplish such merger or consolidation) so long as the surviving or resulting entity is an investment company as defined in the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, that will succeed to or assume JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s or JPMT IV’s registration under the 1940 Act and that is formed, organized, or existing under the laws of the U.S. or of a state, commonwealth, possession or territory of the U.S., unless otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act; (ii) cause any one or more series or classes of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV to merge or consolidate with or into any one or more other series or classes of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV one or more trusts (or series or classes thereof to the extent permitted by law), partnerships, associations, corporations; (iii) cause the shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted by law; or (iv) cause JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV to reorganize as a corporation, limited liability company or limited liability partnership under the laws of Delaware or any other state or jurisdiction. However, the exercise of such authority may be subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act.
The Trustees may, without shareholder vote, generally restate, amend or otherwise supplement JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s or JPMT IV’s governing instruments, including the Declarations of Trust and the By-Laws, without the approval of shareholders, subject to limited exceptions, such as the right to elect Trustees.
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The Trustees, without obtaining any authorization or vote of shareholders, may change the name of any series or class or dissolve or terminate any series or class of shares.
Shares have no subscription or preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus and this SAI, JPMT I’s, JPMT II’s or JPMT IV’s Shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV Shares of a Fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the Fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative asset values of the respective Funds, of any general assets not belonging to any particular Fund which are available for distribution.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as JPMT I, JPMT II or JPMT IV shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of each Fund affected by the matter. For purposes of determining whether the approval of a majority of the outstanding Shares of a Fund will be required in connection with a matter, a Fund will be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each Fund in the matter are identical, or that the matter does not affect any interest of the Fund. Under Rule 18f-2, the approval of an investment advisory agreement or any change in investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a Fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Fund. However, Rule 18f-2 also provides that the ratification of independent public accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts, and the election of Trustees may be effectively acted upon by Shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.
Each share class of a Fund has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters pertaining to the Fund’s Distribution and Shareholder Services Plans, Distribution Plans or Shareholder Services Plan applicable to those classes.
Shares of JPMMFIT and UMF. JPMMFIT and UMF are an open-end, management investment companies which are organized as Massachusetts business trusts. The Growth Advantage Fund represents a separate series of shares of beneficial interest of JPMMFIT. The JPMorgan Realty Income Fund and the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund are each a separate and distinct series of UMF. See “Massachusetts Trusts.”
The Declarations of Trust of each of JPMMFIT and UMF permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares ($0.001 par value) of one or more series and classes within any series and to divide or combine the shares (of any series, if applicable) without changing the proportionate beneficial interest of each shareholder in the Fund (or in the assets of other series, if applicable). Each share represents an equal proportional interest in a Fund with each other share. Upon liquidation of a Fund, holders are entitled to share pro-rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. See “Massachusetts Trusts.” The rights of redemption and exchange are described in the Prospectuses and elsewhere in this SAI.
The shareholders of each Fund are entitled to one vote for each whole share (with fractional shares entitled to a proportionate fractional vote) on matters on which shares of the Fund shall be entitled to vote. Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, to lengthen their own terms, or to make their terms of unlimited duration subject to certain removal procedures, and appoint their own successors, provided, however, that immediately after such appointment the requisite majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of JPMMFIT and UMF, respectively. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative so that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected while the shareholders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees. It is the intention of JPMMFIT and UMF not to hold meetings of shareholders annually. The Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required by either the 1940 Act or the Declarations of Trust.
Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or class. Expenses of JPMMFIT and UMF which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all of its series in a manner believed by management of JPMMFIT and UMF to be fair and equitable. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights. Shares when issued are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. Shares of each series or class generally vote together, except when required under federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that may affect a particular class, such as the approval of distribution plans for a particular class.
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The Trustees may, however, authorize the issuance of shares of additional series and the creation of classes of shares within any series with such preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine. The proceeds from the issuance of any additional series would be invested in separate, independently managed Funds with distinct investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and share purchase, redemption and net asset valuation procedures. Any additional classes would be used to distinguish among the rights of different categories of shareholders, as might be required by future regulations or other unforeseen circumstances. All consideration received by each Fund for shares of any additional series or class, and all assets in which such consideration is invested, would belong to that series or class, subject only to the rights of creditors of the Fund and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Shareholders of any additional series or class will approve the adoption of any management contract or distribution plan relating to such series or class and of any changes in the investment policies related thereto, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
Shareholders of each Fund have the right, upon the declaration in writing or vote of more than two-thirds of its outstanding shares, to remove a Trustee. The Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on removal of a Trustee upon the written request of the record holders of 10% of each Fund’s shares. In addition, whenever ten or more shareholders of record who have been such for at least six months preceding the date of application, and who hold in the aggregate either shares having a NAV of at least $25,000 or at least 1% of outstanding shares, whichever is less, in the case of JPMMFIT, or having at least 1% of outstanding shares, in the case of UMF, shall apply to the Trustees in writing, stating that they wish to communicate with other shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to request a meeting for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of the Trustee or Trustees and accompanied by a form of communication and request which they wish to transmit, the Trustees shall within five business days after receipt of such application either: (1) afford to such applicants access to a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders as recorded on the books of the Trust; or (2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of shareholders of record, and the approximate cost of mailing to them the proposed communication and form of request. If the Trustees elect to follow the latter course, the Trustees, upon the written request of such applicants, accompanied by a tender of the material to be mailed and of the reasonable expenses of mailing, shall, with reasonable promptness, mail such material to all shareholders of record at their addresses as recorded on the books, unless within five business days after such tender the Trustees shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement signed by at least a majority of the Trustees to the effect that in their opinion either such material contains untrue statements of fact or omits to state facts necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading, or would be in violation of applicable law, and specifying the basis of such opinion. After opportunity for hearing upon the objections specified in the written statements filed, the SEC may, and if demanded by the Trustees or by such applicants shall, enter an order either sustaining one or more of such objections or refusing to sustain any of them. If the SEC shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections, or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustees shall mail copies of such material to all shareholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender.
For information relating to mandatory redemption of Fund shares or their redemption at the option of JPMMFIT and UMF under certain circumstances, see “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges.”
Shares of JPMFMFG. The Articles of Incorporation of JPMFMFG, as supplemented, permit the classes of JPMFMFG to offer 1,262,500,000 shares of common stock, with $.001 par value per share. Pursuant to JPMFMFG’s Articles of Incorporation, the Board may increase the number of shares that the classes of JPMFMFG are authorized to issue without the approval of the shareholders of each class of JPMFMFG. The Board of Directors has the power to designate and redesignate any authorized but unissued shares of capital stock into one or more classes of shares and separate series within each such class, to fix the number of shares in any such class or series and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares with respect to such class or series.
Each share of a series in JPMFMFG represents an equal proportionate interest in that series with each other share. Shares are entitled upon liquidation to a pro rata share in the net assets of the series. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. All consideration received by JPMFMFG for shares of any series and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that series and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued.
Under Maryland law, JPMFMFG is not required to hold an annual meeting of its shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act.
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Each share in each series of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that series of the Fund with each other share of that series of the Fund. The shares of each series and class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or class. Expenses of JPMFMFG which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all the series and classes in a manner believed by management of JPMFMFG to be fair and equitable. Shares of each series or class generally vote together, except when required by federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that may affect a particular series or class differently, such as approval of a distribution plan.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE
As described in the Prospectuses and pursuant to the procedures approved by the Trustees, each business day, a Fund will make available to the public upon request to J.P. Morgan Funds Services or the J.P. Morgan Institutional Funds Service Center (1-800-480-4111 or 1-800-766-7722, as applicable) a complete, uncertified schedule of its portfolio holdings as of the prior business day for the Money Market Funds and as of the last day of that prior month for all other Funds. In addition, from time to time, each Fund may post portfolio holdings on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website on a more timely basis.
The Funds’ publicly available uncertified, complete list of portfolio holdings information, as described above, may also be provided regularly pursuant to a standing request, such as on a monthly or quarterly basis, to (i) third party service providers, rating and ranking agencies, financial intermediaries, and affiliated persons of the Funds and (ii) clients of the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates that invest in the Funds or such clients’ consultants. No compensation or other consideration is received by a Fund or the Fund’s Adviser, or any other person for these disclosures.
For a list of the entities that receive the Funds’ portfolio holdings information, the frequency with which it is provided and the length of the lag between the date of the information and the date it is disclosed, see “PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE” in Part I of this SAI.
In addition, the Funds may for legitimate business purposes release portfolio holdings earlier than the time period specified in the applicable prospectus to certain service providers to the Funds or the Adviser, any sub-advisers, Administrator, Shareholder Servicing Agent, Distributor or Custodian, including rating and ranking agencies, pricing services, proxy voting service providers, accountants, attorneys, custodians, securities lending agents (to the extent the Funds engage in securities lending), consultants retained to assist in the drafting of management discussion of fund performance in shareholder reports, brokers in connection with Fund transactions and in providing pricing quotations, transfer agents and entities providing CDSC financing (released weekly one day after trade date). The Funds may also release portfolio holdings to the Adviser and affiliates of JPMorgan Chase for the limited purposes of hedging seed capital investment of the Adviser in the Funds, risk management, and for regulatory reporting purposes applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries. The Adviser and affiliates of JPMorgan Chase may also have access to portfolio holdings of certain Funds for the limited purpose of hedging the Adviser's liability to pay deferred compensation to portfolio managers and other eligible employees based on the performance of certain designated Funds. The Funds will also provide portfolio holdings information earlier than the time periods specified in the applicable prospectus to the Investment Company Institute (the “ICI”) to support the ICI’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the mutual fund industry. When a Fund redeems a shareholder in kind, the shareholder generally receives its proportionate share of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and, therefore, the shareholder and its agent may receive such information earlier than the time period specified in the Prospectuses. Such holdings are released on conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g., attorney–client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions, Codes of Ethics and Informational Barriers applicable to JPMorgan Chase and its affiliates).
Disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio securities as an exception to the Funds’ normal business practice requires the business unit proposing such exception to identify a legitimate business purpose for the disclosure and to submit the proposal to the Fund’s Treasurer for approval following compliance and legal review. Additionally, no compensation or other consideration is received by a Fund or the Fund’s Adviser, or any other person for these disclosures. The Funds’ Trustees will review annually a list of such entities that have received such information, the frequency of such disclosures and the business purpose therefor. These procedures are designed to address conflicts of interest between the Funds’ shareholders on the one hand and the Fund’s Adviser or any affiliated person of the Fund or such entities on the other hand by creating a structured review and approval process which seeks to ensure that disclosure of information about a Fund’s portfolio securities is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. There can be no
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assurance, however, that a Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information will prevent the misuse of such information by individuals or firms in possession of such information.
In addition to the foregoing, the portfolio holdings of certain of the Adviser’s separately managed account investment strategies and other vehicles advised or sub-advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, which are the same or substantially similar to certain of the J.P. Morgan Funds, are made available on a more timely basis than the time period specified in the applicable prospectus. In some cases, such portfolio holdings are made publicly available on a daily basis. While not expected, it is possible that a recipient of portfolio holdings information for a Fund or other similarly managed account or vehicle could cause harm to a Fund, including by trading ahead of or against a Fund based on the information received. This risk may be higher for the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income Fund, on a daily basis, which discloses its holdings information as of the prior business day. JPMorgan Equity Premium Income Fund may also post on a daily basis certain additional information about the equity linked notes held by the Fund. Each Fund reserves the right to exclude any portion of its holdings from publication or reduce the frequency of disclosure if deemed by the Board or Adviser to be in the best interest of the Fund.
In addition, the portfolio managers of certain Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts have periodic access to risk exposure information such as currency, sector, region, country, asset class, credit quality, volatility characteristics, VaR and stress information, exposure versus benchmarks, duration and ESG ratings of the underlying Funds in which such Funds-of-Funds and separate accounts invest. While such reports do not disclose individual portfolio holdings of the underlying Funds, they are derived from daily portfolio holdings of the underlying Funds. The Adviser has adopted procedures to determine that: (1) ongoing disclosure continues to strike an appropriate balance between the need of the Funds-of-Funds’ and separate accounts’ portfolio managers to have access to such information and protecting an underlying Fund from potentially harmful disclosure and (2) the disclosure of such risk exposure information is unlikely to be harmful to an underlying fund or its shareholders.
Finally, the Funds release information concerning any and all portfolio holdings when required by law. Such releases may include providing information concerning holdings of a specific security to the issuer of such security. With regard to the Money Market Funds, not later than five business days after the end of each calendar month, each Fund will post detailed information regarding its portfolio holdings, as well as its dollar-weighted average maturity and dollar-weighted average life, as of the last day of that month on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website and provide a link to the SEC website where the most recent twelve months of publicly available information filed by the Fund may be obtained. In addition, not later than five business days after the end of each calendar month, each Money Market Fund will file a schedule of detailed information regarding its portfolio holdings as of the last day of that month with the SEC. These filings will be publicly available on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website at www.jpmorganfunds.com and the SEC’s website. Each business day, each money market will make available upon request an uncertified complete schedule of its portfolio holdings as of the prior business day. In addition, each money market fund may post portfolio holdings on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website or on other external websites. In addition, on each business day, all money market funds will post their level of weekly liquid assets, net flows and market-based NAV per shares as of the prior business day, with a rolling six month history, and the money market funds (other than tax free and municipal money market funds) will post their level of daily liquid assets, with a rolling six month history, as of the prior business day on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website at www.jpmorganfunds.com. In addition to information on portfolio holdings, no sooner than 10 days after month end, the Funds may post a portfolio characteristics summary to the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website at www.jpmorganfunds.com. In addition, other fund statistical information may be found on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website from time to time.
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
The Board of Trustees has delegated to the Advisers and their affiliated advisers, proxy voting authority with respect to the Funds’ portfolio securities. To ensure that the proxies of portfolio companies are voted in the best interests of the Funds, the Funds’ Board of Trustees has adopted the Adviser’s detailed proxy voting procedures (the “Procedures”) that incorporate guidelines (“Guidelines”) for voting proxies on specific types of issues for the Funds other than the Behavioral Value Fund. Proxy voting for the Behavioral Value Fund has been delegated to Fuller & Thaler, the Fund’s sub-adviser. Fuller & Thaler votes proxies for the Fund in accordance with the proxy voting policies and procedures as described at the end of this section under Fuller & Thaler.
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The Adviser and its affiliated advisers are part of a global asset management organization with the capability to invest in securities of issuers located around the globe. Because the regulatory framework and the business cultures and practices vary from region to region, the Guidelines are customized for each region to take into account such variations. Separate Guidelines cover the regions of (1) North America, (2) Europe, Middle East, Africa, Central America and South America (“EMEA”), (3) Asia (ex-Japan) and (4) Japan, respectively. In addition, the Adviser has adopted Sustainable Strategy Proxy Voting Guidelines (“Sustainable Proxy Guidelines”) for sustainable strategies identified on Exhibit A to the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines. The Sustainable Proxy Guidelines replace Section 12 in the North America Guidelines for such sustainable strategies including such Funds as approved by the Board of Trustees. All other sections of the North America Guidelines and other regional Guidelines will continue to apply to such sustainable strategies. The Board of Trustees has adopted the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines for the JPMorgan Sustainable Municipal Income Fund, JPMorgan Small Cap Sustainable Leaders Fund and JPMorgan U.S. Sustainable Leaders Fund.
Notwithstanding the variations among the Guidelines, all of the Guidelines have been designed with the uniform objective of encouraging corporate action that enhances shareholder value consistent with each Fund's objectives and strategies. As a general rule, in voting proxies of a particular security, the Adviser and its affiliated advisers will apply the Guidelines of the region in which the issuer of such security is organized. Except as noted below, proxy voting decisions will be made in accordance with the Guidelines covering a multitude of both routine and non-routine matters that the Adviser and its affiliated advisers have encountered globally, based on many years of collective investment management experience.
To oversee and monitor the proxy-voting process, the Adviser has established a proxy committee and appointed a proxy administrator in each global location where proxies are voted. The primary functions of each proxy committee include review and approval of the Guidelines annually and the provision of advice and recommendations on general proxy-voting matters as well as on specific voting issues. The procedures permit an independent voting service to perform certain services otherwise carried out or coordinated by the proxy administrator.
Although for many matters the Guidelines specify the votes to be cast, for many others, the Guidelines contemplate case-by-case determinations. In addition, there will undoubtedly be proxy matters that are not contemplated by the Guidelines. For both of these categories of matters and, in the U.S., to override the Guidelines, the Procedures require a certification and review process to be completed before the vote is cast. That process is designed to identify actual or potential material conflicts of interest (between the Fund on the one hand, and the Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter or an affiliate of any of the foregoing, on the other hand) and ensure that the proxy vote is cast in the best interests of the Fund. A conflict is deemed to exist when the proxy is for JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock or for J.P. Morgan Funds, or when the proxy administrator has actual knowledge indicating that a JPMorgan affiliate is an investment banker or rendered a fairness opinion with respect to the matter that is the subject of the proxy vote. When such conflicts are identified, the proxy will be voted by an independent third party using its own guidelines; provided, however, that the Adviser’s investment professional(s) may request an exception to this process to vote against a proposal rather than referring it to an independent third party (“Exception Request”) where the proxy administrator has actual knowledge indicating that a JPMorgan Chase affiliate is an investment banker or rendered a fairness opinion with respect to the matter that is the subject of the proxy vote. The applicable proxy committee shall review the Exception Request and shall determine whether the Adviser should vote against the proposal or whether such proxy should still be referred to an independent third party due to the potential for additional conflicts or otherwise.
When other types of potential material conflicts of interest are identified, the applicable proxy administrator and, as necessary and applicable, a legal and/or compliance representative from the applicable proxy committee will evaluate the potential conflict of interest and determine whether such conflict actually exists, and if so, will recommend how the Adviser will vote the proxy. In addressing any material conflict, the Adviser may take one or more of the following measures (or other appropriate action): removing certain Adviser personnel from the proxy voting process or “walling off” personnel with knowledge of the conflict to ensure that such personnel do not influence the relevant proxy vote, voting in accordance with any applicable Guideline if the application of the Guideline would objectively result in the casting of a proxy vote in a predetermined manner, or deferring the vote to or obtaining a recommendation from an independent third party, in which case the proxy will be voted by, or in accordance with the recommendation of, the independent third party. In the event that a J.P. Morgan Fund, in the aggregate, holds more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of an open-end registered investment company or
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registered unit investment trust that is not managed by JPMIM (a “Non-J.P. Morgan Fund”), the J.P. Morgan Fund will vote its respective securities in a Non-J.P. Morgan Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities.
The following summarizes some of the more noteworthy types of proxy voting policies of the North America Guidelines:
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The Adviser considers votes on director nominees on a case-by-case basis. Votes generally will be withheld from directors who: (a) attend less than 75% of Board and committee meetings without a valid excuse; (b) adopt or renew a poison pill without shareholder approval; (c) are affiliated outside directors who serve on audit, compensation or nominating committees or are affiliated outside directors and the full Board serves on such committees or the company does not have such committees; (d) ignore a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of either the shares outstanding or the votes cast based on a review over a consecutive two year time frame; (e) are insiders and affiliated outsiders on Boards that are not at least majority independent except, in the case of controlled companies, vote for non-independent directors who serve on committees other than the audit committee; or (f) are CEOs of publicly-traded companies who serve on more than three public Boards or serve on more than four public company Boards. In addition, votes are generally withheld for directors who serve on committees in certain cases. For example, the Adviser generally withholds votes from audit committee members in circumstances in which there is evidence that there exists material weaknesses in the company’s internal controls. Votes generally are also withheld from directors when there is a demonstrated history of poor performance or inadequate risk oversight or when the Board adopts changes to the company’s governing documents without shareholder approval if the changes materially diminish shareholder rights. Votes generally will be withheld from Board chair, lead independent directors, or government committee chairs of publicly traded companies where employees have departed for significant violation of code of conduct without claw back of compensation. In addition, the Adviser generally votes against the chair of the nominating committee if one or more directors remain on the Board after having received less than majority of votes cast in the prior election.
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The Adviser votes proposals to classify Boards on a case-by-case basis, but normally will vote in favor of such proposal if the issuer’s governing documents contain each of eight enumerated safeguards (for example, a majority of the Board is composed of independent directors and the nominating committee is composed solely of such directors).
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The Adviser also considers management poison pill proposals on a case-by-case basis, looking for shareholder-friendly provisions before voting in favor.
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The Adviser votes against proposals for a super-majority vote to approve a merger.
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The Adviser considers proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan on a case-by-case basis, taking into account such factors as the extent of dilution and whether the transaction will result in a change in control.
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The Adviser considers vote proposals with respect to compensation plans on a case-by-case basis. The analysis of compensation plans focuses primarily on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders) and includes an analysis of the structure of the plan and pay practices of other companies in the relevant industry and peer companies. Other matters included in the analysis are the amount of the company’s outstanding stock to be reserved for the award of stock options, whether the exercise price of an option is less than the stock’s fair market value at the date of the grant of the options, and whether the plan provides for the exchange of outstanding options for new ones at lower exercise prices.
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The Adviser also considers on a case-by-case basis proposals to change an issuer’s state of incorporation, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate restructuring proposals and certain social issue proposals.
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The Adviser generally votes for management proposals which seek shareholder approval to make the state of incorporation the exclusive forum for disputes if the company is a Delaware corporation; otherwise, the Adviser votes on a case by case basis.
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The Adviser supports Board refreshment, independence, and a diverse skill set for directors. As a matter of principle, the Adviser expects its investee companies to be committed to diversity and inclusiveness in their general recruitment policies as we believe such diversity contributes to the effectiveness of Boards. The Adviser will utilize its voting power to bring about change where
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Boards are lagging in gender and racial/ethnic diversity. The Adviser will generally vote against the chair of the Nominating Committee when the issuer does not disclose the gender or racial and ethnic composition of the Board, with adequate diversity data considered as adequate in instances where individual directors do not wish to disclose personal identification. The Adviser will also generally vote against the chair of the Nominating Committee when the issuer lacks any gender diversity or any racial/ethnic diversity unless there are mitigating factors such as recent retirement of relevant directors, a relatively new public company, and an ongoing search for a director.
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The Adviser reviews Say on Pay proposals on a case by case basis with additional review of proposals where the issuer’s previous year’s proposal received a low level of support.
The following summarizes some of the more noteworthy types of proxy voting policies of Section 12 Social and Environmental Issues from the North America Guidelines:
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The Adviser generally encourages a level of reporting on environmental matters that is not unduly costly or burdensome and which does not place the company at a competitive disadvantage, but which provides meaningful information to enable shareholders to evaluate the impact of the company’s environmental policies and practices on its financial performance. In general, the Adviser supports management disclosure practices that are overall consistent with the goals and objective expressed above. Proposals with respect to companies that have been involved in controversies, fines or litigation are expected to be subject to heightened review and consideration.
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In evaluating how to vote environmental proposals, key considerations may include, but are not limited to, issuer considerations such as asset profile of the company, including whether it is exposed to potentially declining demand for the company’s products or services due to environmental considerations; cash deployments; cost structure of the company, including its position on the cost curve, expected impact of future carbon tax and exposure to high fixed operating costs; corporate behavior of the company; demonstrated capabilities of the company, its strategic planning process, and past performance; current level of disclosure of the company and consistency of disclosure across its industry; and whether the company incorporates environmental or social issues in a risk assessment or risk reporting framework. The Adviser may also consider whether peers have received similar proposals and if so, were the responses transparent and insightful; would adoption of the proposal inform and educate shareholders; and have companies that adopted the proposal provided insightful and meaningful information that would allow shareholders to evaluate the long-term risks and performance of the company; does the proposal require disclosure that is already addressed by existing and proposed mandated regulatory requirements or formal guidance at the local, state, or national level or the company’s existing disclosure practices; and does the proposal create the potential for unintended consequences such as a competitive disadvantage.
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The Adviser votes against the chair of the committee responsible for providing oversight of environmental matters and/or risk where the Adviser believes the company is lagging peers in terms of disclosure, business practices or targets. The Adviser also votes against committee members, lead independent director and/or Board chair for companies that have lagged over several years.
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With regard to social issues, among other factors, the Adviser considers the company’s labor practices, supply chain, how the company supports and monitors those issues, what types of disclosure the company and its peers currently provide, and whether the proposal would result in a competitive disadvantage for the company.
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The Adviser expects Boards to provide oversight of human capital management which includes the company management of its workforce, use of full time versus part time employees, workforce cost, employee engagement and turnover, talent development, retention and training, compliance record and health and safety. As an engaged and diverse employee base is integral to a company’s ability to innovate, respond to a diverse customer base and engage with diverse communities and deliver shareholder returns, the Adviser will generally support shareholder resolutions seeking the company to disclose data on workforce demographics including diversity, and release of EEO-1 or comparable data where such disclosure is deemed by the Adviser as inadequate.
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Sustainable Proxy Guidelines. For the JPMorgan Sustainable Municipal Income Fund, JPMorgan Small Cap Sustainable Leaders Fund and the JPMorgan U.S. Sustainable Leaders Fund, the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines are used in lieu of Section 12 of the North America Guidelines. The following summarizes some of the more noteworthy types of proxy voting policies of the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines:
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In voting shares of securities under the Sustainable Proxy Guidelines, the Adviser considers good corporate governance, the ethical behavior of corporations and the social and environmental impact of such companies’ actions consistent with the applicable Fund’s objectives and strategies. The Adviser believes that disclosure and benchmarking of performance versus peers can enable an issuer to generate better long-term performance. The Adviser generally encourages reporting that is material, informative and does not place the company at a competitive disadvantage. Disclosure should provide meaningful information that enables shareholders to evaluate the impact of the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies and practices.
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In evaluating how to vote to social proposals, the Adviser considers among other items: (1) the company’s business activities, workplace and product safety, labor practices, diversity and equality, and supply chain, (2) how the company supports and monitors these issues, and (3) what types of disclosure the company provides.
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In evaluating how to vote environmental proposals, the Adviser considers among other items: (1) the company’s business activities, energy efficiency, impact on climate change, water use, toxic emissions, and operations in environmentally sensitive areas, (2) how the company supports and monitors these issues, and (3) what types of disclosure the company provides.
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In general, the Adviser supports management disclosure practices that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the applicable Fund. Proposals with respect to companies that have been involved in controversies, fines or litigation are expected to be subject to heightened review and consideration. For companies that have demonstrated leadership in disclosure, the Adviser may yet elect to support a shareholder proposal if the Adviser believes that improvement in disclosures will help sustain the leadership, unless there are material adverse consequences to such disclosure.
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The Sustainable Proxy Guidelines provide a framework for voting on social and environmental proposals. The Adviser notes that there may be cases in which the final vote varies from the guidelines due to the fact the Adviser reviews the merits of each proposal individually and considers relevant information in arriving at decisions. The Adviser considers among other items company-specific circumstances, whether or not the company has substantially achieved the stated objective, whether the proposal would be unduly burdensome, whether the proposal itself is well-framed and reasonable, as well as the most up-to-date research and information that is readily accessible to the Adviser as it pertains to the proposal.
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Generally, the Advisor votes for proposals that seek to improve the representation of women and minorities in the work force.
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Generally, the Adviser votes against/withholds from individual directors who serve as members of the nominating committee and the Board lacks at least one woman and one racially diverse director, and the Board is not at least 30 percent diverse.
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Generally, the Adviser votes for proposals linking executive compensation to material environmental and social factors.
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Generally, the Adviser votes for proposals requiring reporting on environmental impacts and preparation of reports in accordance with certain external reporting standards.
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Generally, the Adviser votes for proposals requiring the company to take specific actions to mitigate climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing and using renewable energy sources.
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Generally, the Adviser votes for proposals requiring disclosure on the company’s land use, including its supply chain, deforestation and degradation.
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Generally, the Adviser votes for proposals requiring disclosure of political expenditures and lobbying.
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Non-U.S. Guidelines. The following summarizes some of the more noteworthy types of proxy voting policies of the EMEA, Asia (Ex-Japan) and Japan Guidelines (collectively, “Non-U.S. Guidelines”):
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Corporate governance procedures differ among the countries. Because of time constraints and local customs, it is not always possible for the Adviser to receive and review all proxy materials in connection with each item submitted for a vote. Many proxy statements are in foreign languages. Proxy materials are generally mailed by the issuer to the sub-custodian which holds the securities for the client in the country where the portfolio company is organized, and there may not be sufficient time for such materials to be transmitted to the Adviser in time for a vote to be cast. In some countries, proxy statements are not mailed at all, and in some locations, the deadline for voting is two to four days after the initial announcement that a vote is to be solicited and it may not always be possible to obtain sufficient information to make an informed decision in good time to vote.
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Certain markets require that shares being tendered for voting purposes are temporarily immobilized from trading until after the shareholder meeting has taken place. Elsewhere, notably emerging markets, it may not always be possible to obtain sufficient information to make an informed decision in good time to vote. Some markets require a local representative to be hired in order to attend the meeting and vote in person on our behalf, which can result in considerable cost. The Adviser also considers the cost of voting in light of the expected benefit of the vote. In certain instances, it may sometimes be in the Fund’s best interests to intentionally refrain from voting in certain overseas markets from time to time.
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The Non-U.S. Guidelines reflect the applicable region’s corporate governance or stewardship codes with respect to corporate governance and proxy voting. For example, JPMAM is a signatory to the UK Stewardship Code 2020 and believes that its existing stewardship policies meet the standards required under the Code. Additionally, for example, the EMEA Guidelines for UK companies are based on the revised UK Corporate Governance Code. If a portfolio company chooses to deviate from the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Adviser takes the company’s explanation into account as appropriate, based on the Adviser’s overall assessment of the standards of corporate governance evidenced at the company. For Continental European markets, the Adviser expects companies to comply with local Corporate Governance Codes, where they exist. In markets where a comparable standard does not exist, we use the EMEA Guidelines as the primary basis for voting, while taking local market practice into consideration where applicable. The Japan Guidelines reflect the 2020 revisions to the Japanese Stewardship Code. Likewise, the Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines endorse the stewardship principles promoted by different regulators and industry bodies in the region including the Singapore Stewardship Principles for Responsible Investors supported by Monetary Authority of Singapore and Singapore Exchange, the Principles for Responsible Ownership issued by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, and the Principles of Internal Governance and Asset Stewardship issued by the Financial Services Council of Australia.
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Where proxy issues concern corporate governance, takeover defense measures, compensation plans, capital structure changes and so forth, the Adviser pays particular attention to management’s arguments for promoting the prospective change.
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The Non-U.S. Guidelines encourage transparency and disclosure with respect to remuneration reporting as well as processes and policies designed to align compensation with the long-term performance of portfolio companies.
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In particular, the EMEA Guidelines indicate that the remuneration policy as it relates to senior management should ideally be presented to shareholders for approval with such votes normally occurring every third year. In addition, the EMEA Guidelines describe information that the Adviser expects to be included in remuneration reports including disclosure on amounts paid to executives, alignment between company performance and pay out to executives, disclosure of, among other things, variable incentive targets, levels of achievement and performance awards, information on the ratio of CEO pay to median employee pay.
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With respect to the Japan Guidelines, the voting decision will be made taking into account matters such as recent trends in the company’s earnings and performance, with the expectation that companies will have a remuneration system comprised of a reasonable mix of fixed and variable (based on short term and medium to long term incentives) compensation. Such Guidelines also support the introduction of clawback clauses in order to prevent excessive risk taking which can negatively impact shareholder value and excessive pay.
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Where shareholders are able to exercise a binding vote on remuneration policies, the Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines reflect the Adviser’s belief that such polices should stand the test of time. The Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines further encourage companies to provide information on the ratio of CEO pay to median employee pay and to explain the reasons for changes to the ratio as it unfolds year by year. The Asia (Ex-Japan) Guidelines also highlight information that companies should have with regard to gender pay gaps and indicate how this issue is being addressed.
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The Adviser is in favor of a unitary Board structure of the type found in the United Kingdom as opposed to tiered Board structures. Thus, under the EMEA Guidelines, the Adviser will generally vote to encourage the gradual phasing out of tiered Board structures, in favor of unitary Boards. However, since tiered Boards are still very prevalent in markets outside of the United Kingdom, the Non-U.S. Guidelines do not mandate a unitary Board structure and local market practice will always be taken into account.
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The Adviser will use its voting powers to encourage appropriate levels of Board independence and diversity, taking into account local market practice.
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In particular, the EMEA Guidelines indicate that the Adviser expects Boards to have a strategy to improve female representation in particular. The EMEA Guidelines support the target of one-third of Board positions being held by women, as recommended by the UK Government’s Women on Boards Report, the Davies Review and the FTSE Women Leaders Review (formerly the Hampton-Alexander Review).
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The Japan Guidelines include provisions on Board diversity and indicate that the Adviser believes directors with diverse backgrounds should make up a majority of the Board over time. The Japan Guidelines provide that the current policy is to vote against the election of the representative directors, such as the president of the company, if there are no female directors (more than one female director beginning in 2024, and at least 30% gender diversity before 2030).
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The Asia ex Japan Guidelines reflect, as a minimum standard for all Asia ex Japan markets, that JPMAM would expect no single-gender Boards and that such Boards would have 25% gender diverse representation before 2025, with 30% gender diverse representation or such higher amounts as reflected by local market practice before 2030.
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The Adviser will usually vote against discharging the Board from responsibility in cases of pending litigation, or if there is evidence of wrongdoing for which the Board must be held accountable.
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The Adviser will vote in favor of increases in capital which enhance a company’s long-term prospects. The Adviser will also vote in favor of the partial suspension of preemptive rights if they are for purely technical reasons (e.g., rights offers which may not be legally offered to shareholders in certain jurisdictions). However, the Adviser will vote against increases in capital which would allow the company to adopt “poison pill” takeover defense tactics, or where the increase in authorized capital would dilute shareholder value in the long term.
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The Adviser will vote in favor of proposals which will enhance a company’s long-term prospects. The Adviser will vote against an increase in bank borrowing powers which would result in the company reaching an unacceptable level of financial leverage, where such borrowing is expressly intended as part of a takeover defense, or where there is a material reduction in shareholder value.
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The Adviser will generally vote against anti-takeover devices.
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The Adviser considers social or environmental issues on a case-by-case basis under the Non-U.S. Guidelines, keeping in mind at all times the best economic interests of its clients. With respect to environmental proposals, the Non-U.S. Guidelines indicate that good corporate governance policies should consider the impact of company operations on the environment and the costs of compliance with laws and regulations relating to environmental matters, physical damage to the environment (including the costs of clean-ups and repairs), consumer preferences and capital investments related to climate change. The Non-U.S. Guidelines further encourage a level of environmental reporting that is not unduly costly or burdensome and which does not place the company at a competitive disadvantage, but which provides meaningful information to enable shareholders to evaluate the impact of the company’s environmental policies and practices on its financial performance. With regard to social issues, among other factors, the Adviser considers the
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company’s labor practices, supply chain, how the company supports and monitors those issues, what types of disclosure the company and its peers currently provided, and whether the proposal would result in a competitive disadvantage for the company.
North American and Non-U.S. Guidelines. The North American and Non-U.S. Guidelines reflect the Adviser’s concerns that there may be restrictions on shareholder participation in a virtual only annual general meeting and believes such meetings should only be held in exceptional circumstances, such as during pandemic, and that companies should explain why it is necessary to hold the meeting in this manner. Under the Guidelines, the Adviser generally votes for management proposal allowing for the convening of shareholder meetings by electronic means, so long as the governing documents do not prohibit in-person meetings.
Proxy Voting Record. In accordance with regulations of the SEC, the Funds’, including the Behavioral Value Fund’s, proxy voting records for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are on file with the SEC and are available on the J.P. Morgan Funds’ website at www.jpmorganfunds.com and are on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Fuller & Thaler.
The policies and procedures used by Fuller & Thaler, the sub-adviser to the Behavioral Value Fund, to determine how to vote proxies relating to the portfolio securities of such Fund are summarized below:
GENERAL
It is the general policy of Fuller & Thaler to exercise its proxy voting authority in a manner that will maintain or enhance shareholder value of the companies in which we have invested client assets. Unless a client specifically reserves the right, in writing, to vote its own proxies, we will vote all proxies in accordance with this policy.
VOTING POLICY
We use the following guidelines in making voting decisions:
Approve (or follow management recommendations on) the following (unless good reason for voting otherwise):
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Routine corporate matters including:
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Selection of directors
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Appointment of auditors
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An increase in authorized shares where needed for clearly defined business purposes
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Follow management recommendations on “social” issues
Oppose (in some cases against management recommendations on) the following (unless good reason for voting otherwise):
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Indemnification of directors and/or officers where such indemnification includes “negligence and gross negligence” in the performance of their fiduciary duties
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Super-majority voting requirements
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Anti-takeover proposals which restrict shareholder authority
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An increase in authorized shares of more than 25% without a stated business purpose
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Changes in corporate charter that do not have a clearly stated business purpose
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Provisions for multi-tiered voting rights
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Authorizations of “blank check” preferred stock or other capital stock without a stated business purpose
•
“Shareholder rights” provisions which tend to diminish rather than enhance shareholder power
•
“Anti-greenmail” provisions which also restrict shareholder authority
•
Staggered Boards of directors
Part II - 156
Evaluate the following on a case-by-case basis:
•
Corporate combinations and divestments
•
Shareholder proposals
•
Profit sharing and stock options plans
•
Say-on pay items such as executive compensation and golden parachutes
VOTING PROCESS
Fuller & Thaler has hired an independent third-party vendor, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), to assist it in fulfilling its proxy voting obligations. ISS is responsible for collecting proxy information from companies and voting proxies according to our instructions. ISS also provides Fuller & Thaler with proxy recommendations and corporate governance ratings on each ballot. While we may consider such research in determining how to vote on a proxy issue, we vote each proxy on its own merits. Thus, our proxy voting may or may not be consistent with the recommendations of ISS.
On a weekly basis, we:
•
Send a list of the securities held in client accounts to ISS.
•
Download proxy statements.
Each of our portfolio managers is responsible for voting the proxies for securities held in the portfolio manager’s strategy. Proxy voting reports received from ISS are provided to the portfolio managers for review prior to voting. Where Fuller & Thaler becomes aware that an issuer intends to file, or has filed, additional soliciting materials with the SEC after Fuller & Thaler has received ISS’s voting recommendation but before the submission deadline, Fuller & Thaler considers such additional information in its proxy voting. Any changes to the votes made by the portfolio manager are communicated to ISS electronically.
As part of the overall vote review process, each portfolio manager responsible for voting proxies must report any known, material conflict of interest to the Chief Compliance Officer, who will communicate the conflict of interest to the other portfolio managers.
Using information provided by our firm, ISS votes the proxies for each individual account.
On a quarterly basis, ISS provides us with voting summary reports for our client accounts. These reports, and copies of the Proxy Voting Policy, are available to clients upon request.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
All proxies are voted solely in the best interests of our clients. Shareholders and employees of Fuller & Thaler will not be unduly influenced by outside sources nor be affected by any conflict of interest regarding the vote of any proxy. Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between our interests and a client’s interests, Fuller & Thaler will rely on the recommendation of ISS to vote the proxy. ISS votes based on its pre-determined voting policy developed from internally conducted research on shareholder best practices.
LIMITATIONS
The following are examples of situations where Fuller & Thaler may abstain from voting or from review of proxies:
1.
Terminated Account: Once a client account has been terminated with us in accordance with its investment advisory agreement, we will not vote any proxies received after the termination.
2.
Limited Value: If we determine that the value of a client’s economic interest or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, we may abstain from voting a proxy or alternatively, vote proxies in accordance with ISS recommendations with minimal review of the proxies. We also will not vote proxies received for securities no longer held by the client’s account.
Part II - 157
3.
Unmanaged Assets. If a client account contains securities that we do not actively manage, but that are maintained in the account at the client’s request (designated as “Unmanaged Assets”), we will abstain from voting on such securities unless the client directs us in writing to take action with respect to a particular matter.
4.
Securities Lending Programs: When securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrower’s name and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. However, where we determine that a proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially important to the client’s account, we may recall the security for purposes of voting.
ANNUAL FILING OF SAY-ON-PAY PROXY VOTING RECORD
Pursuant to the amended Securities Exchange Act Rule 14Ad-1, Fuller & Thaler will file an annual report of each say-on-pay related proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities for which it exercised voting power, during the twelve-month period ended June 30 on Form N-PX not later than August 31 of each year, beginning with August 31, 2024 for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2024.
RECORDKEEPING
Fuller & Thaler will maintain the following proxy related books and records in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of Fuller & Thaler:
i.
Copies of proxy policies and procedures.
ii.
A copy of each proxy statement that Fuller & Thaler receives regarding client securities. Alternatively, Fuller & Thaler may rely on ISS to make and retain a copy of a proxy statement on Fuller & Thaler’s behalf (provided that Fuller & Thaler has obtained an undertaking from ISS to provide a copy of the proxy statement promptly upon request) or may rely on obtaining a copy of a proxy statement from the Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.
iii.
A record of each vote cast by Fuller & Thaler on behalf of a client. Alternatively, Fuller& Thaler may rely on a third party to make and retain a record of the vote cast on Fuller & Thaler's behalf (provided that Fuller & Thaler has obtained an undertaking from ISS to provide a copy of the record promptly upon request).
iv.
A copy of any document created by Fuller & Thaler that was material to making a decision on how to vote proxies on behalf of a client or that memorializes the basis for that decision.
v.
A copy of each written client request for information on how Fuller & Thaler voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by Fuller & Thaler to any (written or oral) client request for information on how Fuller & Thaler voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.
Please see Books and Records Policy contained in Section 13 of the Compliance Manual for further details.
RESPONSIBLE PARTIES
The Portfolio Managers are responsible for the following:
•
adhering to this policy which includes voting proxies consistently with these guidelines;
•
notifying the Chief Compliance Officer of any conflicts of interest;
•
providing the Portfolio Administrator with a copy of any document that was material to making a voting decision or that memorializes the basis for a decision, if any was created;
•
recommending any policy or procedure changes to the Head of Trading Operations and Chief Compliance Officer.
The Head of Trading Operations and Portfolio Administrator are responsible for adhering to the voting process and maintaining required books and records. They should also recommend any policy or procedure changes to the Portfolio Managers and Chief Compliance Officer.
The Chief Compliance Officer will review this policy and procedures with the Head of Trading Operations, Portfolio Administrator, and other applicable Fuller & Thaler personnel at least annually.
Part II - 158
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Trust is not required to hold a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees except that (i) a Trust is required to hold a Shareholders’ meeting for the election of Trustees at such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by Shareholders and (ii) if, as a result of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees, less than two-thirds of the Trustees holding office have been elected by the Shareholders, that vacancy may only be filled by a vote of the Shareholders. In addition, Trustees may be removed from office by a written consent signed by the holders of Shares representing two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of a Trust at a meeting duly called for the purpose, which meeting shall be called and held in accordance with the bylaws of the applicable Trust. Except as set forth above, the Trustees may continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.
As used in a Trust’s Prospectuses and in this SAI, “assets belonging to a Fund” means the consideration received by a Trust upon the issuance or sale of Shares in that Fund, together with all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds derived from the investment thereof, including any proceeds from the sale, exchange, or liquidation of such investments, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, and any general assets of a Trust not readily identified as belonging to a particular Fund that are allocated to that Fund by a Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may allocate such general assets in any manner it deems fair and equitable. It is anticipated that the factor that will be used by the Board of Trustees in making allocations of general assets to particular Funds will be the relative net asset values of the respective Funds at the time of allocation. Assets belonging to a particular Fund are charged with the direct liabilities and expenses in respect of that Fund, and with a share of the general liabilities and expenses of a Trust not readily identified as belonging to a particular Fund that are allocated to that Fund in proportion to the relative net asset values of the respective Funds at the time of allocation. The timing of allocations of general assets and general liabilities and expenses of a Trust to particular Funds will be determined by the Board of Trustees of a Trust and will be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Determinations by the Board of Trustees of a Trust as to the timing of the allocation of general liabilities and expenses and as to the timing and allocable portion of any general assets with respect to a particular Fund are conclusive.
As used in this SAI and the Prospectuses, the term “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Trust, a particular Fund or a particular class of a Fund means the following when the 1940 Act governs the required approval: the affirmative vote of the lesser of (a) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund, or (b) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund present at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund are represented in person or by proxy. Otherwise, the declaration of trust, articles of incorporation or by-laws usually govern the needed approval and generally require that if a quorum is present at a meeting, the vote of a majority of the shares of the Trust, such Fund or such class of such Fund, as applicable, shall decide the question.
Telephone calls to the Funds, the Funds’ service providers or a Financial Intermediary as Financial Intermediary may be recorded. With respect to the securities offered hereby, this SAI and the Prospectuses do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statements of the Trusts filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, certain portions have been omitted. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in this SAI and the Prospectuses concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statements of the Trusts. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.
No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the Prospectuses and this SAI, in connection with the offer contained therein and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by any of the Trusts, the Funds or JPMDS. The Prospectuses and this SAI do not constitute an offer by any Fund or by JPMDS to sell or solicit any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful for the Funds or JPMDS to make such offer in such jurisdictions.
Part II - 159
APPENDIX A — PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES
The Funds have established certain procedures and restrictions, subject to change from time to time, for purchase, redemption, and exchange orders, including procedures for accepting telephone instructions and effecting automatic investments and redemptions. The Funds may defer acting on a shareholder’s instructions until it has received them in proper form and in accordance with the requirements described in the Prospectuses.
Subject to the terms of a Fund’s prospectus, an investor may buy (or redeem) shares in certain Funds: (i) through a Financial Intermediary; or (ii) through JPMDS by calling J.P. Morgan Funds Services. Financial Intermediaries may include financial advisors, investment advisers, brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others, including affiliates of JPMorgan Chase that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor, or, if applicable, an authorized designee of a Financial Intermediary. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from a shareholder or, if held in a joint account, from either party, or from any person claiming to be the shareholder, and confirmation that the account registration and address given by such person match those on record, a Fund or its agent is authorized, without notifying the shareholder or joint account parties, to carry out the instructions or to respond to the inquiries, consistent with the service options chosen by the shareholder or joint shareholders in his or their latest account application or other written request for services, including purchasing, exchanging, or redeeming shares of such Fund and depositing and withdrawing monies from the bank account specified in the “Bank Account Registration” section of the shareholder’s latest account application or as otherwise properly specified to such Fund in writing. Investors may incur a fee if they effect transactions through a Financial Intermediary.
A “Business Day” with respect to a Fund is any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the New York Stock Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Funds may, at their own option, accept securities in payment for shares. The securities delivered in such a transaction are valued in the same manner as they would be valued for purposes of computing a Fund’s NAV, as described in the section entitled “Net Asset Value.” This is a taxable transaction to the shareholder. Purchases by means of in-kind contributions of securities will only be accepted if a variety of conditions are satisfied, in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
Except as provided in a Fund’s prospectus, and subject to compliance with applicable regulations, each Fund has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of its shares, either totally or partially, by a distribution in-kind of readily marketable portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities so distributed would be valued at the same amount as that assigned to them in calculating the NAV of the shares being sold. If a shareholder received a distribution in-kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash. JPMFMFG and UMF have filed an election under 18f-1 under the 1940 Act. The other Trusts have not filed an election under Rule 18f-1. However, the following Funds have previously filed Rule 18f-1 elections: (i) JPMorgan California Tax Free Bond Fund (formerly, J.P. Morgan California Bond Fund), (ii) JPMorgan Tax Aware Equity Fund, (iii) JPMorgan Intermediate Tax Free Bond Fund and JPMorgan New York Tax Free Bond Fund (as former series of Mutual Fund Select Trust), and (iv) JPMorgan International Equity Fund (as former series of Mutual Fund Select Group). These elections carry over and commit these Funds to paying redemptions by a shareholder of record in cash, limited during any 90 day period to the lesser of: (i) $250,000 or (ii) one percent of the net asset value of the Fund at the beginning of such period.
The Money Market Funds reserve the right to waive any investment minimum. With respect to Agency, Capital, Institutional Class and Premier Shares, examples of when, in the Money Market Funds’ discretion, exceptions to the minimum requirements may be made include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) accounts of a parent corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries may be aggregated together to meet the minimum requirement; (2) accounts held by an institutional investor in any of the Money Market Funds in JPMT I or JPMT II may be aggregated together to meet the minimum requirement; and (3) an institutional investor may be given a reasonable amount of time to reach the investment minimum for a class. For Agency, Institutional Class and Premier Shares, investors must purchase the Shares directly from the J.P. Morgan Funds through JPMDS to potentially be eligible. In each case, the investors must inform the J.P. Morgan Funds (or their Financial Intermediary in the case of Capital Shares) that they have accounts that they may be eligible for an exception to the investment minimum.
A-1
Exchange Privilege. Shareholders may exchange their shares in a Fund for shares of any other J.P. Morgan Fund as indicated in the Prospectuses that offers such share class. The shareholder will not pay a sales charge for such exchange. The Funds reserve the right to limit the number of exchanges or to refuse an exchange. The Funds may discontinue this exchange privilege at any time.
Shares of a Fund may only be exchanged into another Fund if the account registrations are identical. All exchanges are subject to meeting any investment minimum or eligibility requirements. With respect to exchanges from any Money Market Fund, shareholders must have acquired their shares in such money market fund by exchange from one of the J.P. Morgan non-money market funds or the exchange will be done at relative NAV plus the appropriate sales charge. Any such exchange may create a gain or loss to be recognized for federal income tax purposes. All exchanges are based upon the NAV that is next calculated after the Fund receives your order, provided the exchange out of one Fund must occur before the exchange into the other Fund. The redemption of your shares will be processed at the next calculated net asset value by the Fund whose shares you are redeeming, and your purchase will be processed as of the same time if the Fund into which you wish to exchange also calculates a net asset value at such time or if not, as of such Fund’s next calculated net asset value. The exchange might not be completed on the date on which the order is submitted and, in such case, the proceeds of the redemption may remain uninvested until the exchange is completed. A shareholder that exchanges out of shares of a Fund that accrues a daily dividend, including a money market fund, will accrue a dividend on the day of the redemption. A shareholder that exchanges into shares of a Fund that accrues dividends daily will not accrue a dividend on the day of the purchase. Normally, shares of the Fund to be acquired are purchased on the redemption date, but such purchase may be delayed by either Fund for up to five Business Days if a Fund determines that it would be disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the proceeds.
With regard to a Money Market Fund, when a fee or a gate is in place, shareholders will not be permitted to exchange into or out of a Money Market Fund.
Redemptions. In general, shares of a Fund may be exchanged or redeemed at net asset value, less any applicable CDSC. The Trust may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for Shares for more than seven days (more than one day for the Prime Money Market Fund, U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, and U.S. Government Money Market Fund) when:
(a)
trading on the Exchange is broadly restricted by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC;
(b)
the Exchange is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closing;
(c)
the SEC has by order permitted such suspension; or
(d)
the SEC has declared a market emergency.
With regard to Money Market Funds that do not qualify as Government Money Market Funds, if a Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 30% of its total assets, the Fund’s board, in its discretion, may impose liquidity fees of up to 2% of the value of the shares redeemed and/or gates on redemptions. In addition, if a Money Market Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 10% of its total assets at the end of any Business Day, the Fund must impose a 1% liquidity fee on shareholder redemptions unless the Fund’s Board of Trustees determines that not doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.
The Board may, in its discretion, terminate a liquidity fee or redemption gate at any time if it believes such action to be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. Also, liquidity fees and redemption gates will automatically terminate at the beginning of the next Business Day once a Fund’s weekly liquid assets reach at least 30% of its total assets. Redemption gates may only last up to 10 Business Days in any 90-day period. When a fee or a gate is in place, the Fund may elect not to permit the purchase of shares or to subject the purchase of shares to certain conditions, which may include affirmation of the purchaser’s knowledge that a fee or a gate is in effect. When a fee or a gate is in place, shareholders will not be permitted to exchange into or out of a Money Market Fund.
With regard to the Money Market Funds, the Board may, in its discretion, permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if, among other things, a Fund, at the end of a Business Day, has less than 10% of its total assets invested in weekly liquid assets. The Board of the Retail and Government Money Market Funds may suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that the deviation between its amortized cost price per share and its market-based NAV per share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing shareholders.
A-2
Excessive Trading Limits. Market timers may disrupt portfolio management and harm Fund performance. To the extent that a Fund is unable to effectively identify market timers or a Fund does not seek to identify market timers, long-term investors may be adversely affected. The Funds do not authorize market timing and, except for the Funds identified in the Prospectuses, use reasonable efforts to identify market timers. There is no assurance, however, that the Funds will be able to identify and eliminate all market timers. For example, certain accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Funds with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where purchasers of Fund shares and redeemers of Fund shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers and redeemers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Funds. For purposes of the application of the excessive trading limitations, J.P. Morgan Funds that invest in other J.P. Morgan Funds will be considered asset allocation programs within the stated exceptions to the excessive trading limits in the Prospectuses.
Additional Information About Class C Shares. The Distributor pays a commission of 1.00% of the offering price on sales of Class C Shares. The Distributor keeps the entire amount of any CDSC the investor pays for Class C Shares.
If an investor redeems Class C Shares and then uses that money to buy Class C Shares of a J.P. Morgan Fund within 90 days of that redemption, the second purchase will be free of a CDSC. Also, the 12b-1 aging will include the investor’s prior months’ holdings, so that the Financial Intermediary will receive the trail sooner.
Class C Conversion Feature. Class C Shares will be converted to Class A Shares (to Morgan Shares for the Money Market Funds) of the same fund in the following instances:
•
Beginning November 14, 2017, Class C Share positions will convert to Class A Shares after 10 years, calculated from the first day of the month of purchase and processed on the tenth Business Day of the anniversary month.
•
If the Class C Shares are held in an account with a third party broker of record are transferred to an account with the Distributor after April 21, 2017, those Class C Shares will be converted to Class A Shares on the tenth Business Day of the month following the transfer.
•
Class C Shares of the Funds (excluding the Money Market Funds) automatically convert to Class A Shares (and thus are then subject to the lower expenses borne by Class A Shares) after the period of time specified in the applicable Prospectuses has elapsed since the date of purchase (the “CDSC Period”), together with the pro-rata portion of all Class C Shares representing dividends and other distributions paid in additional Class C Shares attributable to the Class C Shares then converting. The conversion of Class C Shares will be effected at the relative net asset value per share of the two classes on the tenth Business Day of the month following the tenth anniversary of the original purchase or such other applicable yearly anniversary. At the time of the conversion, the net asset value per share of the Class A Shares may be higher or lower than the net asset value per share of the Class C Shares; as a result, depending on the relative net asset value per share, a shareholder may receive fewer or more Class A Shares than the number of Class C Shares converted.
•
Class C Shares of the Money Market Funds automatically convert to Morgan Shares (and thus are then subject to the lower expenses borne by Morgan Shares) after the CDSC Period, together with the pro-rata portion of all Class C Shares representing dividends and other distributions paid in additional Class C Shares attributable to the Class C Shares then converting. The conversion of Class C Shares will be effected at the relative net asset value per share of the two classes on the tenth Business Day of the month following the tenth anniversary of the original purchase or such other applicable yearly anniversary. At the time of the conversion, the net asset value per share of the Morgan Shares may be higher or lower than the net asset value per share of the Class C Shares; as a result, depending on the relative net asset value per share, a shareholder may receive fewer or more Morgan Shares than the number of Class C Shares converted.
Conversion of Class B Shares. On June 19, 2015, the Funds’ Class B Shares were converted into Class A Shares (into Morgan Shares for the Money Market Funds) of the same Fund, notwithstanding the prior conversion schedule that indicated a later date. No contingent deferred sales charges were assessed in connection with this automatic conversion.
A-3
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Systematic withdrawals may be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. The applicable Class C CDSC will be deducted from those payments unless such payments are made:
(i) monthly and constitute no more than 1/12 of 10% of your then-current balance in a Fund each month; or
(ii) quarterly and constitute no more than 1/4 of 10% of your then-current balance in a Fund each quarter.
If you withdraw more than the limits stated above in any given systematic withdrawal payment, you will be charged a CDSC for the amount of the withdrawal over the limit for that month or quarter.
For accounts that allow systematic withdrawals only as a fixed dollar amount per month or quarter, the applicable Class C CDSC is waived provided that, on the date of the systematic withdrawal, the fixed dollar amount to be withdrawn, when multiplied by 12 in the case of monthly payments or by four in the case of quarterly payments, does not exceed 10% of your then-current balance in the Fund. If on any given systematic withdrawal date that amount would exceed 10%, you will be charged a CDSC on the entire amount of that systematic withdrawal payment. This calculation is repeated on each systematic withdrawal date.
For accounts that allow systematic withdrawals on a percentage basis, a Class C CDSC will be charged only on that amount of a systematic payment that exceeds the limits set forth above for that month or quarter.
Your current balance in a Fund for purposes of these calculations will be determined by multiplying the number of shares held by the then-current net asset value for shares of the applicable class.
Cut-Off Times for Purchase, Redemption and Exchange Orders. Orders to purchase, exchange or redeem shares accepted by the Funds (or by a Financial Intermediary authorized to accept such orders on behalf of the Funds) by the cut-off times indicated in the Funds’ Prospectuses will be processed at the NAV next calculated after the order is accepted by the Fund or the Financial Intermediary. Under a variety of different types of servicing agreements, if a Financial Intermediary that is authorized to accept purchase, exchange and/or redemption orders from investors on behalf of the Funds accepts orders prior to the cut-off time for orders stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses, the Financial Intermediary may transmit the orders to the Funds by the deadlines stated in the servicing agreements. The deadlines in the servicing agreements are generally later than the order cut-off times stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses.
Additional Information
A Fund may require medallion signature guarantees for changes that shareholders request be made in Fund records with respect to their accounts, including but not limited to, changes in bank accounts, for any written requests for additional account services made after a shareholder has submitted an initial account application to a Fund, and in certain other circumstances described in the Prospectuses. A Fund may also refuse to accept or carry out any transaction that does not satisfy any restrictions then in effect. A medallion signature guarantee may be obtained from an approved bank, broker, savings and loan association or credit union under Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act.
The Funds reserve the right to change any of these policies at any time and may reject any request to purchase shares at a reduced sales charge.
Investors may incur a fee if they effect transactions through a Financial Intermediary.
A-4
APPENDIX B — DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
The following is a summary of published ratings by certain Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSROs”). Credit ratings evaluate only the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of lower quality securities. NRSROs may fail to change credit ratings to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Although the Adviser considers security ratings when making investment decisions, it also performs its own investment analysis and does not rely solely on the ratings assigned by NRSROs.
A Fund only purchases securities that meet the rating criteria, if any, described in its Prospectus and/or SAI. The Adviser will look at a security’s rating at the time of investment. If the securities are unrated, the Adviser must determine that they are of comparable quality to rated securities. Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, a security may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by a Fund. The Adviser will consider such an event in determining whether a Fund should continue to hold the security and is not required to sell a security in the event of a downgrade. Securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities are not rated by NRSROs and so the rating of such securities is determined based on the ratings assigned to the issuer by the NRSRO(s) or if unrated, based on the Adviser’s determination of the issuer’s credit quality. The Adviser may also use the ratings assigned by NRSROs to issuers that are issued by non-U.S. governments and their agencies and instrumentalities to determine the rating of such securities.
From time to time, NRSROs may not agree on the credit quality of a security and issuer and assign different ratings. Certain Funds use the NRSROs and methodology described in their prospectuses to determine the credit quality of their investments, including whether a security is in a particular rating category for purposes of the credit quality requirements specified below. For securities that are not rated by the applicable NRSROs, the Adviser must determine that they are of comparable quality to rated securities. If a Fund’s prospectus does not specify the methodology for determining the credit quality of securities that have received different ratings from more than one NRSRO, such securities will be considered investment grade if at least one agency has rated the security investment grade.
Certain Funds are rated by NRSROs. In order to maintain a rating from a rating organization, the Funds may be subject to additional investment restrictions.
DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”)
An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market, typically with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Short-term issue credit ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings. 
A-1
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global
Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is
strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This
indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these
obligations is extremely strong.
A-2
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects
of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating
categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the
obligation is satisfactory.
A-3
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an
obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
B-1
B
A short-term obligation rated ‘B' is regarded as vulnerable and has significant
speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the
obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C
A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor
to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
D
A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For
non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an
obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such
payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period
longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also
will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and
where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay
provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt
restructuring.
Dual Ratings
Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).
Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)
L: Ratings qualified with ‘L’ apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.
P: This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The ‘p’ suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.
Preliminary: Preliminary ratings, with the “prelim” suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.
•
Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.
•
Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor’s emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s).
•
Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings’ opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities.
•
Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings.
B-2
•
A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.
t: This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.
cir: This symbol indicates a counterparty instrument rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.
Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)
*: This symbol indicated that the rating was contingent upon S&P Global Ratings’ receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.
c: This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer was lowered to below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds were deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.
G: The letter ‘G’ followed the rating symbol when a fund’s portfolio consisted primarily of direct U.S. government securities.
pi: This qualifier was used to indicate ratings that were based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. Such ratings did not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer’s management and therefore could have been based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a ‘pi’ suffix. Discontinued use as of December 2014 and as of August 2015 for Lloyd’s Syndicate Assessments.
pr: The letters ‘pr’ indicate that the rating was provisional. A provisional rating assumed the successful completion of a project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements was largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, made no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion.
q: A ‘q’ subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.
r: The ‘r’ modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an ‘r’ modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation would not exhibit extraordinary noncredit-related risks. S&P Global Ratings discontinued the use of the ‘r’ modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.
Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention (a long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity). Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. 
F1
HIGHEST SHORT-TERM CREDIT QUALITY. Indicates the strongest intrinsic
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to
denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2
GOOD SHORT-TERM CREDIT QUALITY. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment
of financial commitments.
F3
FAIR SHORT-TERM CREDIT QUALITY. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments is adequate.
B-3
B
SPECULATIVE SHORT-TERM CREDIT QUALITY. Minimal capacity for timely
payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse
changes in financial and economic conditions.
C
HIGH SHORT-TERM DEFAULT RISK. Default is a real possibility.
RD
RESTRICTED DEFAULT. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its
financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.
Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
D
DEFAULT. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-
term obligation.
Limitations of the Credit Ratings Scale
Specific limitations relevant to the Credit Ratings scale include:
•
The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood or failure likelihood over any given time period.
•
The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.
•
The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.
•
The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer (or an obligation with respect to structured finance transactions) default, except in the following two cases:
•
Ratings assigned to individual obligations of issuers in corporate finance, banks, non-bank financial institutions, insurance and covered bonds.
•
In limited circumstances for U.S. public finance obligations where Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code provides reliably superior prospects for ultimate recovery to local government obligations that benefit from a statutory lien on revenues or during the pendency of a bankruptcy proceeding under the Code if there is sufficient visibility on potential recovery prospects.
•
The ratings do not opine on the suitability of an issuer as a counterparty to trade credit.
The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency‘s opinion on its relative vulnerability to default or in the case of bank Viability Ratings on its relative vulnerability to failure. For the avoidance of doubt, not all defaults will be considered a default for rating purposes. Typically, a default relates to a liability payable to an unaffiliated, outside investor.
The ratings do not opine on any quality related to a transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of an issuer and/or of each rated tranche or security.
The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of extraordinary support likelihood over any given period.
In the case of bank Support Ratings and Support Rating Floors, the ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency’s opinion on its relative likelihood of receiving external extraordinary support.
The ratings do not opine on the suitability of any security for investment or any other purposes.
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)
Moody’s global short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles and public sector entities. Moody’s short-term ratings, unlike its long-term ratings, apply to an individual issuer’s capacity to repay all short-term obligations rather than to specific short-term borrowing programs. Once assigned to an issuer, a short-term rating is global in scope; it applies to all the issuer’s senior, unsecured obligations with an original maturity of less than one year regardless of the currency or market in which the obligations are issued. An exception to the global nature of these ratings occurs if an issuer’s rating is supported by another entity through vehicles such as a letter of credit or guarantee.
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Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers: 
P-1
Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2
Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3
Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
DBRS Morningstar
The DBRS Morningstar short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer and the relative ranking of claims. The R-1 and R-2 rating categories are further denoted by the subcategories “(high),” “(middle),” and “(low).” 
R-1 (high)
Highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations
as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.
R-1 (middle)
Superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations
as they fall due is very high. Differs from R-1 (high) by a relatively modest degree.
Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.
R-1 (low)
Good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as
they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating
categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are
considered manageable.
R-2 (high)
Upper end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term
financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.
R-2 (middle)
Adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial
obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be
exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.
R-2 (low)
Lower end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term
financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.
A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such
obligations.
R-3
Lowest end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term
financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the
certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.
R-4
Speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial
obligations as they fall due is uncertain.
R-5
Highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity
to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
D
When the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up
statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods,
a downgrade to D may occur. DBRS Morningstar may also use SD (Selective Default)
in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed
exchange.”
DESCRIPTION OF LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
S&P
Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings’ analysis of the following considerations:
•
The likelihood of payment — the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
•
The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise we impute; and
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•
The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.
An issue rating is an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.) 
AAA
An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The
obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely
strong.
AA
An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small
degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is
very strong.
A
An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes
in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories.
However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is
still strong.
BBB
An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s
capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
BB,B,CCC,CC
and C
Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the
highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to
adverse conditions.
 
BB
An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.
However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to
meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
B
An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’,
but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the
obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the
obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
CCC
An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent
upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its
financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial
commitments on the obligation.
CC
An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating
is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to
be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
C
An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation
is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with
obligations that are rated higher.
D
An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid
capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are
not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will
be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the
earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default
on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A
rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.
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Fitch
Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns, insurance companies, and certain sectors within public finance, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs are also assigned to certain entities or enterprises in global infrastructure, project finance and public finance. IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default (including by way of a distressed debt exchange) on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts.
In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. 
AAA
HIGHEST CREDIT QUALITY. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default
risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of
financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by
foreseeable events.
AA
VERY HIGH CREDIT QUALITY. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default
risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This
capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A
HIGH CREDIT QUALITY. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The
capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may,
nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the
case for higher ratings.
BBB
GOOD CREDIT QUALITY. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are
currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered
adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this
capacity.
BB
SPECULATIVE. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk,
particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over
time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of
financial commitments.
B
HIGHLY SPECULATIVE. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a
limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met;
however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business
and economic environment.
CCC
SUBSTANTIAL CREDIT RISK. Default is a real possibility.
CC
VERY HIGH LEVELS OF CREDIT RISK. Default of some kind appears probable.
C
NEAR DEFAULT. A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in
standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired.
Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:
 
•the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a
material financial obligation;
•the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement
following a payment default on a material financial obligation;
•the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange;
•a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that
it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the
transaction, but where no payment default is imminent.
RD
RESTRICTED DEFAULT. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has
experienced:
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•an uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan or other
material financial obligation, but
•has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or
other formal winding-up procedure, and
•has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:
•the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;
•the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance
period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other
material financial obligation;
•the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on
one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary
execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial
obligations.
D
DEFAULT. ‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered
into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal
winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.
Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.
In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.
Limitations of the Credit Rating Scale:
Specific limitations relevant to the credit rating scale are listed under Description of Short-Term Credit Ratings section.
Moody’s
Long-Term Obligation Ratings
Moody’s long-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles and public sector entities. Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default. 
Aaa
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal risk.
Aa
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit
risk.
A
Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium-grade and are subject to low credit
risk.
Baa
Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-
grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba
Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to
substantial credit risk.
B
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high
credit risk.
Ca
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with
some prospect of recovery in principal and interest.
C
Obligations rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with
little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
B-8
Moody’s appends numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
DBRS Morningstar
Long-Term Obligations
The DBRS Morningstar long-term credit ratings provides opinions on the risk of default. DBRS Morningstar considers risk of default to be the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy the financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which a long-term obligation has been issued. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer, and the relative ranking of claims. All rating categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories “(high)” and “(low).” The absence of either a “(high)” or “(low)” designation indicates the credit rating is in the middle of the category. 
AAA
Highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is
exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.
AA
Superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is
considered high. Credit quality differs from AAA only to a small degree. Unlikely to be
significantly vulnerable to future events.
A
Good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial,
but of lesser credit quality than AA. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying
negative factors are considered manageable.
BBB
Adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is
considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.
BB
Speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of
financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.
B
Highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity
to meet financial obligations.
CCC/CC/C
Very highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations.
There is little difference between these three categories, although CC and C ratings are
normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated
to obligations rated in the CCC to B range. Obligations in respect of which default has
not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the C category.
D
When the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up
statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods,
a downgrade to D may occur. DBRS Morningstar may also use SD (Selective Default)
in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed
exchange.”
DESCRIPTION OF INSURANCE RATINGS
S&P
Insurer Financial Strength Rating Definitions
An S&P Global Ratings insurer financial strength rating is a forward-looking opinion about the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. Insurer financial strength ratings are also assigned to health maintenance organizations and similar health plans with respect to their ability to pay under their policies and contracts in accordance with their terms.
This opinion is not specific to any particular policy or contract, nor does it address the suitability of a particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser. Furthermore, the opinion does not take into account deductibles, surrender or cancellation penalties, timeliness of payment, nor the likelihood of the use of a defense such as fraud to deny claims.
Insurer financial strength ratings do not refer to an organization’s ability to meet nonpolicy (i.e. debt) obligations. Assignment of ratings to debt issued by insurers or to debt issues that are fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts, or guarantees is a separate process from the determination of
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insurer financial strength ratings, and it follows procedures consistent with those used to assign an issue credit rating. An insurer financial strength rating is not a recommendation to purchase or discontinue any policy or contract issued by an insurer.
Insurer Financial Strength Ratings 
AAA
An insurer rated ‘AAA’ has extremely strong financial security characteristics. ‘AAA’ is
the highest insurer financial strength rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings.
AA
An insurer rated ‘AA’ has very strong financial security characteristics, differing only
slightly from those rated higher.
A
An insurer rated ‘A’ has strong financial security characteristics, but is somewhat more
likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are insurers with higher ratings.
BBB
An insurer rated ‘BBB’ has good financial security characteristics, but is more likely to
be affected by adverse business conditions than are higher-rated insurers.
BB, B, CCC,
and CC
An insurer rated ‘BB’ or lower is regarded as having vulnerable characteristics that may
outweigh its strengths, ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of vulnerability within the range
and ‘CC’ the highest.
 
BB
An insurer rated ‘BB’ has marginal financial security characteristics. Positive attributes
exist, but adverse business conditions could lead to insufficient ability to meet financial
commitments.
B
An insurer rated ‘B’ has weak financial security characteristics. Adverse business
conditions will likely impair its ability to meet financial commitments.
CCC
An insurer rated ‘CCC’ has very weak financial security characteristics, and is
dependent on favorable business conditions to meet financial commitments.
CC
An insurer rated ‘CC’ has extremely weak financial security characteristics and is likely
not to meet some of its financial commitments.
SD and D
An insurer rated ‘SD’ (selective default) or ‘D’ is in default on one or more of its
insurance policy obligations.
The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of
similar action if payments on a policy obligation are at risk. A ‘D’ rating is assigned
when S&P Global Ratings believes that the default will be a general default and that the
obligor will fail to pay substantially all of its obligations in full in accordance with the
policy terms.
An ‘SD’ rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the insurer has
selectively defaulted on a specific class of policies but it will continue to meet its
payment obligations on other classes of obligations. An ‘SD’ includes the completion of
a distressed debt restructuring. Claim denials due to lack of coverage or other legally
permitted defenses are not considered defaults.
Ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.
Fitch
Insurer Financial Strength Ratings
The Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating provides an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization. The IFS Rating is assigned to the insurance company’s policyholder obligations, including assumed reinsurance obligations and contract holder obligations, such as guaranteed investment contracts. The IFS Rating reflects both the ability of the insurer to meet these obligations on a timely basis, and expected recoveries received by claimants in the event the insurer stops making payments or payments are interrupted, due to either the failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention. In the context of the IFS Rating, the timeliness of payments is considered relative to both contract and/or policy terms but also recognizes the possibility of reasonable delays caused by circumstances common to the insurance industry, including claims reviews, fraud investigations and coverage disputes.
The IFS Rating does not encompass policyholder obligations residing in separate accounts, unit-linked products or segregated funds, for which the policyholder bears investment or other risks. However, any guarantees provided to the policyholder with respect to such obligations are included in the IFS Rating.
B-10
Expected recoveries are based on the agency’s assessments of the sufficiency of an insurance company’s assets to fund policyholder obligations, in a scenario in which payments have ceased or been interrupted. Accordingly, expected recoveries exclude the impact of recoveries obtained from any government sponsored guaranty or policyholder protection funds. Expected recoveries also exclude the impact of collateralization or security, such as letters of credit or trusteed assets, supporting select reinsurance obligations.
IFS Ratings can be assigned to insurance and reinsurance companies in any insurance sector, including the life & annuity, non-life, property/casualty, health, mortgage, financial guaranty, residual value and title insurance sectors, as well as to managed care companies such as health maintenance organizations.
The IFS Rating uses the same symbols used by the agency for its International and National credit ratings of long-term or short-term debt issues. However, the definitions associated with the ratings reflect the unique aspects of the IFS Rating within an insurance industry context.
Obligations for which a payment interruption has occurred due to either the insolvency or failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention will generally be rated between ‘B’ and ‘C’ on the Long-Term IFS Rating scales (both International and National). International Short-Term IFS Ratings assigned under the same circumstances will align with the insurer’s International Long-Term IFS Rating.
Long-Term International IFS Ratings
The following rating scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. Ratings of ‘BBB-’ and higher are considered to be “secure,” and those of ‘BB+’ and lower are considered to be “vulnerable.” 
AAA
EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG. ‘AAA’ IFS Ratings denote the lowest expectation of
ceased or interrupted payments. They are assigned only in the case of exceptionally
strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. This capacity is highly
unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA
VERY STRONG. ‘AA’ IFS Ratings denote a very low expectation of ceased or
interrupted payments. They indicate very strong capacity to meet policyholder and
contract obligations. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A
STRONG. ‘A’ IFS Ratings denote a low expectation of ceased or interrupted payments.
They indicate strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. This
capacity may, nonetheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in
economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB
GOOD. ‘BBB’ IFS Ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of ceased
or interrupted payments. The capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations on
a timely basis is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and
economic conditions are more likely to impact this capacity.
BB
MODERATELY WEAK. ‘BB’ IFS Ratings indicate that there is an elevated
vulnerability to ceased or interrupted payments, particularly as the result of adverse
economic or market changes over time. However, business or financial alternatives may
be available to allow for policyholder and contract obligations to be met in a timely
manner.
B
WEAK. ‘B’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If obligations are still being
met on a timely basis, there is significant risk that ceased or interrupted payments could
occur in the future, but a limited margin of safety remains. Capacity for continued
timely payments is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic
environment, and favorable market conditions. Alternatively, a ‘B’ IFS Rating is
assigned to obligations that have experienced ceased or interrupted payments, but with
the potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a recovery
assessment of ‘RR1’ (Outstanding).
CCC
VERY WEAK. ‘CCC’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If obligations are
still being met on a timely basis, there is a real possibility that ceased or interrupted
payments could occur in the future. Capacity for continued timely payments is solely
reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment, and favorable
market conditions. Alternatively, a ‘CCC’ IFS Rating is assigned to obligations that have
experienced ceased or interrupted payments, and with the potential for average to
superior recoveries. Such obligations would possess a recovery assessment of ‘RR2’
(Superior), ‘RR3’ (Good), and ‘RR4’ (Average).
B-11
CC
EXTREMELY WEAK. ‘CC’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If
obligations are still being met on a timely basis, it is probable that ceased or interrupted
payments will occur in the future. Alternatively, a ‘CC’ IFS Rating is assigned to
obligations that have experienced ceased or interrupted payments, with the potential for
average to below-average recoveries. Such obligations would possess a recovery
assessment of ‘RR4’ (Average) or ‘RR5’ (Below Average).
C
DISTRESSED. ‘C’ IFS Ratings indicate two possible conditions. If obligations are still
being met on a timely basis, ceased or interrupted payments are imminent. Alternatively,
a ‘C’ IFS Rating is assigned to obligations that have experienced ceased or interrupted
payments, and with the potential for below average to poor recoveries. Such obligations
would possess a recovery assessment of ‘RR5’ (Below Average) or ‘RR6’ (Poor).
Short-Term IFS Ratings
A Short-Term Insurer Financial Strength Rating (ST-IFS Rating) provides an assessment of the near-term financial health of an insurance organization and its capacity to meet senior obligations to policyholders and contract holders that would be expected to be due within one year. The analysis supporting the ST-IFS Rating encompasses all of the factors considered within the context of the IFS Rating, but with greater weight given to an insurer’s near-term liquidity, financial flexibility and regulatory solvency characteristics, and less weight given to longer-term issues such as competitiveness and earnings trends.
The agency will only assign a ST-IFS Rating to insurers that also have been assigned an IFS Rating. Currently, ST-IFS Ratings are used primarily by U.S. life insurance companies that sell short-term funding agreements.
The ST-IFS Rating uses the same international ratings scale used by the agency for short-term debt and issuer ratings. 
F1
Insurers are viewed as having a strong capacity to meet their near-term obligations.
When an insurer rated in this rating category is designated with a (+) sign, it is viewed
as having a very strong capacity to meet near-term obligations.
F2
Insurers are viewed as having a good capacity to meet their near-term obligations.
F3
Insurers are viewed as having an adequate capacity to meet their near-term obligations.
B
Insurers are viewed as having a weak capacity to meet their near-term obligations.
C
Insurers are viewed as having a very weak capacity to meet their near-term obligations.
Recovery Ratings
Recovery Ratings are assigned to selected individual securities and obligations, most frequently for individual obligations of corporate finance issuers with IDRs in speculative grade categories.
Among the factors that affect recovery rates for securities are the collateral, the seniority relative to other obligations in the capital structure (where appropriate), and the expected value of the company or underlying collateral in distress.
The Recovery Rating scale is based on the expected relative recovery characteristics of an obligation upon the curing of a default, emergence from insolvency or following the liquidation or termination of the obligor or its associated collateral.
Recovery Ratings are an ordinal scale and do not attempt to precisely predict a given level of recovery. As a guideline in developing the rating assessments, the agency employs broad theoretical recovery bands in its ratings approach based on historical averages and analytical judgement, but actual recoveries for a given security may deviate materially from historical averages. 
RR1
OUTSTANDING RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR1’ rated securities
have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 91%–100% of
current principal and related interest.
RR2
SUPERIOR RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR2’ rated securities have
characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 71%–90% of current
principal and related interest.
B-12
RR3
GOOD RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR3’ rated securities have
characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 51%–70% of current
principal and related interest.
RR4
AVERAGE RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR4’ rated securities have
characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 31%–50% of current
principal and related interest.
RR5
BELOW AVERAGE RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR5’ rated
securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 11%–
30% of current principal and related interest.
RR6
POOR RECOVERY PROSPECTS GIVEN DEFAULT. ‘RR6’ rated securities have
characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 0%–10% of current
principal and related interest.
Limitations of the Recovery Ratings Scale
Specific limitations relevant to the Recovery Ratings scale include:
•
The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of recovery should a default occur.
•
The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.
•
The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.
•
The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer or transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative loss severity of the rated obligation should the obligation default.
•
Recovery Ratings, in particular, reflect a fundamental analysis of the underlying relationship between financial claims on an entity or transaction and potential sources to meet those claims. The size of such sources and claims is subject to a wide variety of dynamic factors outside the agency’s analysis that will influence actual recovery rates.
•
Out-of-court settlements are not contemplated by Fitch’s Recovery Ratings, other than in broad concession payments for some classes of junior-ranking bonds in some specific scenarios. In reality, out-of-court settlements will be influenced heavily by creditor composition and local political and economic imperatives, and Fitch does not attempt to factor these into its Recovery Ratings.
•
Creditor composition is outside the scope of Recovery Ratings. Concentration of creditors at a certain level of the capital structure, common ownership of claims at different levels in a capital structure or even differing entry prices of investors within a creditor class can have a profound effect on actual recovery rates.
•
Information flows for companies close to default can become erratic, which may reduce Fitch’s visibility on its Recovery Ratings.
•
Enterprise valuations play a key role in the allocation of recoveries across credit classes. Recovery Ratings assume cash-flow multiples or advance rates, which are driven by subjective forecasts of Fitch analysts of post-restructuring cash flow, achievable exit multiples and appropriate advance rates. All these parameters are subject to volatility before and during the restructuring process.
•
Recovery rates are strongly influenced by legal decisions. Potential legal decisions are not factored into Fitch’s Recovery Ratings.
Moody’s
Insurance Financial Strength Ratings
Moody’s Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the ability of insurance companies to pay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations and also reflect the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. 
Aaa
Insurance companies rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the
lowest level of credit risk.
B-13
Aa
Insurance companies rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very
low credit risk.
A
Insurance companies rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to
low credit risk.
Baa
Insurance companies rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate
credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba
Insurance companies rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial
credit risk.
B
Insurance companies rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit
risk.
Caa
Insurance companies rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are
subject to very high credit risk.
Ca
Insurance companies rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near,
default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C
Insurance companies rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little
prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*
*By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.
Short-Term Insurance Financial Strength Ratings 
P-1
Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2
Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3
Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
P-4
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
S&P
Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings
An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:
•
Amortization schedule — the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
•
Source of payment — the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows: 
SP-1
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very
strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse
financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
B-14
D
‘D’ is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt
restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and
where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example, due to automatic stay
provisions.
Moody’s
Short-Term Obligation Ratings
The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate US municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, the MIG scale is used for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years. 
MIG 1
This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by
established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based
access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2
This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample,
although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3
This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection
may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG
This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this
category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
Demand Obligation Ratings
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The components are a long-term rating and a short-term demand obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term demand obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to make payments associated with the purchase-price-upon-demand feature (“demand feature”) of the VRDO. The short-term demand obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. VMIG ratings with liquidity support use as an input the short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment of the support provider, or the long-term rating of the underlying obligor in the absence of third party liquidity support. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade. 
VMIG 1
This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the
superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 2
This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong
short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections
that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3
This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by
the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and
legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG
This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this
category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently
strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections necessary to
ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
DBRS Morningstar
Preferred Share Rating Scale
The DBRS Morningstar preferred share rating scale reflects an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not fulfil its obligations with respect to both dividend and principal commitments in respect of preferred shares issued in the Canadian securities market in accordance with the terms under which the relevant preferred shares have been issued. Every DBRS Morningstar rating using the preferred share rating scale
B-15
is based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuing entity. Each rating category may be denoted by the subcategories “high” and “low”. The absence of either a “high” or “low” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category.
Preferred shares issued in the Canadian securities markets are rated using the preferred share rating scale and preferred shares issued outside of the Canadian securities markets are rated using the long-term obligations scale. Because preferred share dividends are only payable when approved, the non-payment of a preferred share dividend does not necessarily result in a “D”. DBRS Morningstar may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are affected, such as in the case of a “distressed exchange”. 
Pfd-1
Preferred shares rated Pfd-1 are generally of superior credit quality, and are supported
by entities with strong earnings and balance sheet characteristics. Pfd-1 ratings
generally correspond with issuers with a AAA or AA category reference point1.
Pfd-2
Preferred shares rated Pfd-2 are generally of good credit quality. Protection of dividends
and principal is still substantial, but earnings, the balance sheet and coverage ratios are
not as strong as Pfd-1 rated companies. Generally, Pfd-2 ratings correspond with issuers
with an A category or higher reference point.
Pfd-3
Preferred shares rated Pfd-3 are generally of adequate credit quality. While protection of
dividends and principal is still considered acceptable, the issuing entity is more
susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, and there may be
other adverse conditions present which detract from debt protection. Pfd-3 ratings
generally correspond with issuers with a BBB category or higher reference point.
Pfd-4
Preferred shares rated Pfd-4 are generally speculative, where the degree of protection
afforded to dividends and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic
adversity. Issuers with preferred shares rated Pfd-4 generally correspond with issuers
with a BB category or higher reference point.
Pfd-5
Preferred shares rated Pfd-5 are generally highly speculative and the ability of the entity
to maintain timely dividend and principal payments in the future is highly uncertain.
Entities with a Pfd-5 rating generally correspond with issuers with a B category or
higher reference point. Preferred shares rated Pfd-5 often have characteristics that, if not
remedied, may lead to default.
D
When the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up or
the issuer is in default per the legal documents, a downgrade to D may occur. Because
preferred share dividends are only payable when approved, the non-payment of a
preferred share dividend does not necessarily result in a D. DBRS Morningstar may also
use SD (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the
case of a “distressed exchange”. See the Default Definition document posted on the
website for more information.
1
The reference point is a credit rating or intrinsic assessment on the relevant issuer expressed using the long-term obligations scale. For instance, it could be the issuer rating (for a corporate issuer), the intrinsic assessment (for a bank or a non-bank finance company), or the financial strength rating (for an insurance company).
B-16