EATON VANCE MUTUAL FUNDS TRUST - Form 485BPOS SEC filing


Picture 

Eaton Vance Global Bond Fund

Class A Shares - EAIIX Class C Shares - ECIMX Class I Shares - EIIMX

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund

Class A Shares - EEIAX Class C Shares - EEICX Class I Shares - EEIIX

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Fund

Class A Shares - EAGMX Class C Shares - ECGMX Class I Shares - EIGMX
Class R Shares - ERGMX Class R6 Shares - EGMSX

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund

Class A Shares - EGRAX Class C Shares - EGRCX Class I Shares - EGRIX
Class R Shares - EGRRX Class R6 Shares - EGRSX

Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund

Class A Shares - ETSIX C Shares - ECSIX Class I Shares - ESIIX Class R Shares - ERSIX

Prospectus Dated
March 1, 2023

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This Prospectus contains important information about the Funds and the services available to shareholders.  Please save it for reference.




Table of Contents

Fund Summaries

3

Global Bond Fund

3

Emerging Markets Local Income Fund

10

Global Macro Absolute Return Fund

18

Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund

26

Short Duration Strategic Income Fund

34

Important Information Regarding Fund Shares

42

Investment Objectives & Principal Policies and Risks

43

Management and Organization

66

Valuing Shares

70

Purchasing Shares

71

Sales Charges

75

Redeeming Shares

78

Shareholder Account Features

79

Potential Conflicts of Interest

81

Additional Tax Information

83

Financial Highlights

85

Global Bond Fund

85

Emerging Markets Local Income Fund

87

Global Macro Absolute Return Fund

90

Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund

93

Short Duration Strategic Income Fund

95

Further Information about the Portfolio(s)

98

Appendix A – Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations

100


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds2Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Fund Summaries

Eaton Vance Global Bond Fund

Investment Objective

The Fund's investment objective is total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.  Investors may also pay commissions or other fees to their financial intermediary, which are not reflected below.  You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $100,000 in Eaton Vance funds. Certain financial intermediaries also may offer variations in Fund sales charges to their customers as described in Appendix A – Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations in this Prospectus. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 75 of this Prospectus and page 27 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

3.25%

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

None(1)

1.00%

None

(1)Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $500,000 or more are subject to a 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 12 months of purchase. 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Management Fees

0.50%

0.50%

0.50%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.30%

1.00%

None

Other Expenses

1.08%

1.08%

1.08%

Interest Expense

0.02%

0.02%

0.02%

Expenses Other than Interest Expense

1.06%

1.06%

1.06%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.88%

2.58%

1.58%

Expense Reimbursement(2)

(0.86)%

(0.86)%

(0.86)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement

1.02%

1.72%

0.72%

(1)Expenses in the table above and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and International Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), the Portfolio in which the Fund invests its assets.  

(2)The investment adviser and administrator have agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.00% for Class A shares, 1.70% for Class C shares and 0.70% for Class I shares.  This expense reimbursement will continue through February 29, 2024.  Any amendment to or termination of this reimbursement would require approval of the Board of Trustees.  The expense reimbursement relates to ordinary operating expenses only and does not include expenses such as: brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses of unaffiliated funds, borrowing costs (including borrowing costs of any acquired funds), taxes or litigation expenses.  Amounts reimbursed may be recouped by the investment adviser and administrator during the same fiscal year to the extent actual expenses are less than any contractual expense cap in place during such year.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds3Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the operating expenses remain the same and that any expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place for the contractual period.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Expenses with Redemption

Expenses without Redemption

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A shares

$426

$816

$1,231

$2,387

$426

$816

$1,231

$2,387

Class C shares

$275

$721

$1,293

$2,679

$175

$721

$1,293

$2,679

Class I shares

$74

$414

$779

$1,805

$74

$414

$779

$1,805

Portfolio Turnover

The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” the portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was  159%  of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in securities, derivatives and other instruments to establish investment exposures in both developed and emerging markets. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds (the “80% Policy”). Bonds include fixed- and floating-rate debt instruments issued by U.S. and foreign companies, sovereign debt instruments, U.S. and foreign government debt instruments, commercial paper, securitized debt instruments (including commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage dollar rolls and collateralized mortgage obligations) and other asset-backed debt instruments (including collateralized debt obligations and stripped securities), zero-coupon securities, when-issued securities, repurchase agreements, obligations of supranational entities, municipal securities, structured notes, private placements, loans (including senior, subordinated, secured, and unsecured loans), convertible securities and other hybrid securities (including warrants) as well as derivatives that provide exposure to such investments. Total return is defined as income plus capital appreciation. The Fund normally invests at least 40% of its net assets in foreign investments. Foreign investments are those primarily traded outside the U.S. or issued by an issuer that is domiciled, or derives a significant portion of its revenue, outside the U.S.

The Fund’s investments may be significant in a geographic region. The Fund frequently has significant exposure to emerging markets investments. Emerging market countries include so-called frontier market countries, which generally are considered by the portfolio managers to be less developed countries that (i) are not included in the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index: Emerging Markets (JPM GBI-EM) Global Diversified (Unhedged) (the “Index”); or (ii) represent 2% or less of the Index. The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its net assets in instruments rated investment grade (being those rated BBB or above by either S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), or Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)) or in unrated instruments considered to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser. The Fund also may invest in instruments rated below investment grade (rated below BBB by S&P or Fitch or Baa by Moody’s) or in unrated instruments considered to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser (often referred to as “junk” investments). The Fund may invest in investments of any duration. The Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in equity securities.

The Fund invests in a wide variety of derivative instruments. The Fund expects to achieve certain exposures by purchasing and selling derivative instruments, including (but not limited to) forward foreign currency exchange contracts; futures on securities, indices, currencies, swaps and other investments; options; and interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps, which may create economic leverage in the Fund. The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek to enhance total return; to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates; to change the effective duration of its portfolio; to manage certain investment risks; and/or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities or currencies. The Fund may use derivatives to implement various systematic investment processes, including taking long and short interest rate positions across various emerging markets to seek to enhance total return.  The Fund’s use of derivatives may be extensive and, except as required by applicable regulation, there is no stated limit on their use.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds4Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



In managing the Fund, the investment adviser adjusts investments in an effort to take advantage of differences in countries, currencies, interest rates and credits based on its global macroeconomic and political analysis. The investment adviser seeks to identify countries and currencies it believes have potential to outperform investments in other countries and currencies, and to anticipate changes in global economies, markets, political conditions and other factors for this purpose. The investment adviser considers the relative risk/return characteristics of prospective investments (whether securities, currencies, derivatives, or other instruments) in determining the most efficient means for achieving desired exposures.  The portfolio managers may also consider financially material environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in evaluating an issuer. These considerations may be taken into account alongside other fundamental research in the investment selection process.

The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio, a separate registered investment company. The Portfolio is described in “Further Information about the Portfolio” in the Fund Prospectus.

Principal Risks

Market Risk.  The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to social, economic, political, financial, public health crises or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets and include events such as war, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest. These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and may exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions.  Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility.  No active trading market may exist for certain investments held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to which United States companies are subject.  Adverse changes in investment regulations, capital requirements or exchange controls could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.  Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States and, as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country.

Economic data as reported by sovereign entities may be delayed, inaccurate or fraudulent. In the event of a default by a sovereign entity, there are typically no assets to be seized or cash flows to be attached. Furthermore, the willingness or ability of a sovereign entity to restructure defaulted debt may be limited. Therefore, losses on sovereign defaults may far exceed the losses from the default of a similarly rated U.S. debt issuer.

Emerging Markets Investment Risk.  Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain sectors.  Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The information available about an emerging market issuer may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.  Such risks may be greater in frontier markets.

Frontier Market Investment Risk.  Frontier markets are among the smallest and least mature investment markets.  Frontier market countries may have greater political or economic instability and may also be subject to trade barriers, adjustments in currency values and developing or changing securities laws and other regulations.  Investments in frontier market countries generally are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than investments in developed markets or emerging markets.

Currency Risk.  Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.  The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar.  Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.

Geographic Risk.  Because the Fund may invest significantly in a particular geographic region or country, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region or country and may fluctuate more than that of a fund that invests more broadly.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds5Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



U.S. Government Securities Risk. Although certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.  U.S. Treasury securities generally have a lower return than other obligations because of their higher credit quality and market liquidity.

Credit Risk. Investments in fixed income and other debt obligations, including loans, (referred to below as “debt instruments”) are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates.  In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.

Interest Rate Risk. In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise.  Duration measures a fixed-income security’s price sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates.  Generally, securities with longer durations or maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations or maturities, causing them to be more volatile.  Conversely, fixed-income securities with shorter durations or maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower returns than fixed-income securities with longer durations or maturities.  The impact of interest rate changes is significantly less for floating-rate investments that have relatively short periodic rate resets (e.g., ninety days or less). In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended. In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.  Certain instruments held by the Fund pay an interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is the average offered rate for various maturities of short-term loans between certain major international banks. LIBOR is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021, and is expected to cease publishing the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well defined, the impact on certain debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR remains uncertain. The phase-out of LIBOR may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments based on LIBOR and changes in the value of such instruments.

Lower Rated Investments Risk.  Investments rated below investment grade and comparable unrated investments (sometimes referred to as “junk”) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments typically are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of commercial or residential mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables.  Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities.  Although certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a government entity, the market price for such securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.  The purchase of mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may entail greater risk than such securities that are issued or guaranteed by a government entity.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may also be subject to greater volatility than government issues and can also be subject to greater credit risk and the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or other assets.  Investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to both extension risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations more slowly in times of rising interest rates, and prepayment risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations sooner than expected in times of declining interest rates.

Stripped Securities Risk.  Stripped Securities (“Strips”) are usually structured with classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying asset or pool of underlying assets. Classes may receive only interest distributions (interest-only “IO”) or only principal (principal-only “PO”). Strips are particularly sensitive


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds6Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



to changes in interest rates as such changes may increase or decrease prepayments of principal.  A rapid or unexpected increase in prepayments can significantly depress the value of IO Strips, while a rapid or unexpected decrease can have the same effect on PO Strips.

Additional Risks of Loans. Loans are traded in a private, unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank resale market and are generally subject to contractual restrictions that must be satisfied before a loan can be bought or sold. These restrictions may impede the Fund’s ability to buy or sell loans (thus affecting their liquidity) and may negatively impact the transaction price. See also “Market Risk” above. It also may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. Due to the possibility of an extended loan settlement process, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders to meet short-term liquidity needs, such as to satisfy redemption requests from Fund shareholders.  The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and possibly other factors.  Loans with fewer covenants that restrict activities of the borrower may provide the borrower with more flexibility to take actions that may be detrimental to the loan holders and provide fewer investor protections in the event of such actions or if covenants are breached.  The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expense in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants.  Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. (including loans to sovereign entities) may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks.  The Fund may have difficulties and incur expense enforcing its rights with respect to non-U.S. loans and such loans could be subject to bankruptcy laws that are materially different than in the U.S.  Sovereign entities may be unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under a loan due to budgetary limitations or economic or political changes within the country.  Loans may be structured such that they are not securities under securities law, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower, lenders may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws.  Loans are also subject to risks associated with other types of income investments, including credit risk and risks of lower rated investments.

Municipal Obligations Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal obligations is generally less than for corporate equities or bonds, meaning that the investment performance of municipal obligations may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than stock or corporate bond investments. The secondary market for municipal obligations also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal obligations at attractive prices. The differences between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold may widen during periods of market distress. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. The increased presence of non-traditional participants (such as proprietary trading desks of investment banks and hedge funds) or the absence of traditional participants (such as individuals, insurance companies, banks and life insurance companies) in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets because non-traditional participants may trade more frequently or in greater volume.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event underlying a derivative (“reference instrument”), due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not correlate perfectly with the underlying reference instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying reference instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in (or be unable to achieve) the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.  A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the reference instrument underlying the investment.

Leverage Risk.  Certain Fund transactions may give rise to leverage.  Leverage can result from a non-cash exposure to an underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to maintain liquid assets or liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds7Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Restricted Securities Risk.  Unless registered for sale to the public under applicable federal securities law, restricted securities can be sold only in private transactions to qualified purchasers pursuant to an exemption from registration. The sale price realized from a private transaction could be less than the Fund’s purchase price for the restricted security. It may be difficult to identify a qualified purchaser for a restricted security held by the Fund and such security could be deemed illiquid. It may also be more difficult to value such securities.

Liquidity Risk.  The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices.  Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.

Convertible and Other Hybrid Securities Risk. Convertible and other hybrid securities (including preferred and convertible instruments) generally possess certain characteristics of both equity and debt securities.  In addition to risks associated with investing in income securities, such as interest rate and credit risks, hybrid securities may be subject to issuer-specific and market risks generally applicable to equity securities. Convertible securities may also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to equity investing and market risks. A convertible security may be converted at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.

Risks of Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement, recovery of the repurchase price owed to the Fund or, in the case of a reverse repurchase agreement, the securities sold by the Fund, may be delayed. In a repurchase agreement, such insolvency may result in a loss to the extent that the value of the purchased securities decreases during the delay or that value has otherwise not been maintained at an amount equal to the repurchase price. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the counterparty’s insolvency may result in a loss equal to the amount by which the value of the securities sold by the Fund exceeds the repurchase price payable by the Fund; if the value of the purchased securities increases during such a delay, that loss may also be increased. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities sold to the counterparty or the securities which the Fund purchases with its proceeds from the agreement would affect the value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such agreements may increase fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Because reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a form of borrowing by the Fund (and a loan from the counterparty), they create leverage. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement at a rate lower than the cost of the agreement, entering into the agreement will lower the Fund’s yield.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Risk.  Securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis are subject to the risk that when delivered they will be worth less than the agreed upon payment price.

Short Sale Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed security. Short sale risks include, among others, the potential loss of more money than the actual cost of the investment, and the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer and sector-specific considerations; unexpected trading activity among retail investors; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks.  If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Fund’s equity securities will also likely decline.  Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may exceed 100%.  A mutual fund with a high turnover rate (100% or more) may generate more capital gains and may involve greater expenses (which may reduce return) than a fund with a lower rate.  Capital gains distributions will be made to shareholders if offsetting capital loss carry forwards do not exist.

Investing in a Portfolio. The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio. This enables the Fund to pool its assets with other investors that also invest in the same Portfolio, resulting in efficiencies in management and administration that can lower the Fund’s costs and enhance shareholder returns. The ability of the Fund operating in a hub and spoke structure to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the corresponding Portfolio to meet its objective. Contribution


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds8Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



and withdrawal activities by other Portfolio investors may impact the management of the Portfolio and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

Management Risk.  The success of the Fund's investment strategy depends on portfolio management's successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment.  Active management involves subjective decisions.  The Fund may utilize systematic investment processes to seek to take advantage of certain quantitative and behavioral market characteristics identified by the investment adviser.  A systematic investment process is dependent on the investment adviser's skill in developing and maintaining that process.

General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is designed to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not suited for short-term trading.  Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s).  In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund.  The Fund relies on various service providers, including the investment adviser and sub-adviser, if applicable, in its operations and is susceptible to operational, information security and related events (such as public health crises, cyber or hacking attacks) that may affect the service providers or the services that they provide to the Fund.  An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad-based securities market index and a blended index. The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance (both before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund’s performance reflects the effects of expense reductions.  Absent these reductions, performance would have been lower.  Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.

PictureCalendar year-by-year total return (Class A)

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Year Total Return

-2.42%

-0.51%

-4.00%

2.16%

10.57%

-2.67%

6.09%

9.32%

-5.70%

-11.29%

For the ten years ended December 31, 2022, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 9.38% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and the lowest quarterly return was -8.12% for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds9Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2022

One Year

Five Years

Ten Years

Class A Return Before Taxes

-14.13%

-1.80%

-0.39%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions

-14.34%

2.77%

-1.27%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Class A Shares

-7.03%

-1.32%

-0.16%

Class C Return Before Taxes

-12.75%

-1.83%

-0.62%

Class I Return Before Taxes

-11.06%

-0.84%

0.24%

Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

-16.25%

-1.65%

-0.44%

Blended Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) *

-15.80%

-1.56%

-0.33%

* The blended index consists of 85% Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index and 15% JPMorgan Emerging Markets Hard Currency/Local Currency 50-50 Index. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy.  The Index is used with permission.  The Index may not be copied, used, or distributed without J.P. Morgan’s prior written approval.  Copyright 2020, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.  All rights reserved.  Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds10Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



These returns reflect the maximum current sales charge for to the Class A (3.25%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class C.  Effective November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. The average annual total returns listed for Class C reflect conversion to Class A shares after eight years. Prior to November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after purchase.  Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.  

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return Before Taxes and/or Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.

Management

Investment Adviser.  Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.  Boston Management and Research (“BMR”) serves as investment adviser to the Portfolio(s).

Portfolio Managers

Patrick Campbell, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since September 2021.

Kyle Lee, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since October 2019.

Brian Shaw, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since September 2021.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.  You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or (except for purchases of Class C shares by accounts with no specified financial intermediary) directly from a Fund either by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 534439, Pittsburgh, PA  15253-4439, or by calling 1-800-262-1122.  The minimum initial purchase or exchange into a Fund is $1,000 for each Class (with the exception of Class I) and $1,000,000 for Class I (waived in certain circumstances).  There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

For important information about taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” on page 45 of this Prospectus.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds11Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund

Investment Objective

The Fund's investment objective is total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.  Investors may also pay commissions or other fees to their financial intermediary, which are not reflected below.  You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $100,000 in Eaton Vance funds. Certain financial intermediaries also may offer variations in Fund sales charges to their customers as described in Appendix A – Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations in this Prospectus. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 75 of this Prospectus and page 27 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

3.25%

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

None(1)

1.00%

None

(1)Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $500,000 or more are subject to a 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 12 months of purchase. 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Management Fees

0.65%

0.65%

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.30%

1.00%

None

Other Expenses

0.24%

0.24%

0.24%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.19%

1.89%

0.89%

(1)Expenses in the table above and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and Emerging Markets Local Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), the Portfolio in which the Fund invests its assets.  

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the operating expenses remain the same and that any expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place for the contractual period.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Expenses with Redemption

Expenses without Redemption

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A shares

$442

$691

$958

$1,721

$442

$691

$958

$1,721

Class C shares

$292

$594

$1,021

$2,029

$192

$594

$1,021

$2,029

Class I shares

$91

$284

$493

$1,096

$91

$284

$493

$1,096

Portfolio Turnover

The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” the portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was  33%  of the average value of its portfolio.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds12Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in securities, derivatives and other instruments to establish investment exposures to emerging markets. Total return is defined as income plus capital appreciation. The Fund invests at least 80% of net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in (i) securities denominated in currencies of emerging market countries; (ii) fixed income instruments issued by emerging market entities or sovereign nations; and/or (iii) derivative instruments, denominated in or based on the currencies, interest rates, or issues of, emerging market countries (the “80% Policy”). Emerging market countries are defined to include any country that did not become a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (O.E.C.D.) prior to 1975 and Turkey. Emerging market countries include so-called frontier market countries, which generally are considered by the portfolio managers to be less developed countries that (i) are not included in the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index: Emerging Markets (JPM GBI-EM) Global Diversified (Unhedged) (the “Index”); or (ii) represent 2% or less of the Index. The Fund may have significant investment in a geographic region or country. The Fund has exposure to sovereign nations (including currencies, interest rates and debt instruments issued or guaranteed by sovereign entities) and duration. The Fund may invest in instruments of any credit rating, including those rated below investment grade (rated below BBB by either S&P Global Ratings or Fitch Ratings, or below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.) or in unrated instruments considered to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser (often referred to as “junk” instruments). The Fund seeks to outperform the Index, however there can be no assurance that it will do so. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund.

The Fund’s investments may include foreign and domestic securities and other instruments, including sovereign debt (including U.S. Treasuries), mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and asset-backed securities, stripped securities, loans, bank instruments, municipal securities, corporate debt, other fixed-income securities and commodities-related investments.  The Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in equity securities.

The Fund invests in a wide variety of derivative instruments.  The Fund expects to achieve certain exposures through purchasing and selling derivative instruments, including (but not limited to) forward foreign currency exchange contracts; futures on securities, indices, currencies, swaps and other investments; options; and interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps, which may create economic leverage in the Fund.  The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek to enhance total return; to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates; to change the effective duration of its portfolio; to manage certain investment risks; and/or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities or currencies.  The Fund may use derivatives to implement various systematic investment processes, including taking long and short interest rate positions across various emerging markets to seek to enhance total return.  The Fund’s use of derivatives may be extensive and, except as required by applicable regulation, there is no stated limit on their use.  

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, forward commitments and short sales. The Fund may enter into forward commitments to purchase generic U.S. Government agency MBS, with the total amount of such outstanding commitments not to exceed 10% of the Fund’s total net assets. Such forward commitments may be entered into for purposes of investment leverage. The Fund may enter into forward commitments to sell generic U.S. Government agency MBS, with the total amount of such outstanding commitments not to exceed 50% of the Fund’s MBS holdings.

In managing the Fund, the investment adviser adjusts investments in an effort to take advantage of differences in countries, currencies, interest rates and credits based on its global macroeconomic and political analysis.  The investment adviser seeks to identify countries and currencies it believes have potential to outperform investments in other countries and currencies, and to anticipate changes in global economies, markets, political conditions and other factors for this purpose.  The investment adviser considers the relative risk/return characteristics of prospective investments (whether securities, currencies, derivatives or other instruments) in determining the most efficient means for achieving desired exposures.  The portfolio managers may also consider financially material environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in evaluating an issuer. These considerations may be taken into account alongside other fundamental research in the investment selection process.

The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio, a separate registered investment company with the same investment objective and policies as the Fund.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds13Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

 

Principal Risks

Market Risk.  The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to social, economic, political, financial, public health crises or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets and include events such as war, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest. These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and may exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions.  Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility.  No active trading market may exist for certain investments held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to which United States companies are subject.  Adverse changes in investment regulations, capital requirements or exchange controls could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.  Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States and, as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country.

Economic data as reported by sovereign entities may be delayed, inaccurate or fraudulent. In the event of a default by a sovereign entity, there are typically no assets to be seized or cash flows to be attached. Furthermore, the willingness or ability of a sovereign entity to restructure defaulted debt may be limited. Therefore, losses on sovereign defaults may far exceed the losses from the default of a similarly rated U.S. debt issuer.

Emerging Markets Investment Risk.  Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain sectors.  Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The information available about an emerging market issuer may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.  Such risks may be greater in frontier markets.

Frontier Market Investment Risk.  Frontier markets are among the smallest and least mature investment markets.  Frontier market countries may have greater political or economic instability and may also be subject to trade barriers, adjustments in currency values and developing or changing securities laws and other regulations.  Investments in frontier market countries generally are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than investments in developed markets or emerging markets.

Geographic Risk.  Because the Fund may invest significantly in a particular geographic region or country, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region or country and may fluctuate more than that of a fund that invests more broadly.

Currency Risk.  Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.  The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar.  Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.

Credit Risk. Investments in fixed income and other debt obligations, including loans, (referred to below as “debt instruments”) are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates.  In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds14Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.

Interest Rate Risk. In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise.  Duration measures a fixed-income security’s price sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates.  Generally, securities with longer durations or maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations or maturities, causing them to be more volatile.  Conversely, fixed-income securities with shorter durations or maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower returns than fixed-income securities with longer durations or maturities. In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended. In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.  Certain instruments held by the Fund pay an interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is the average offered rate for various maturities of short-term loans between certain major international banks. LIBOR is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021, and is expected to cease publishing the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well defined, the impact on certain debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR remains uncertain. The phase-out of LIBOR may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments based on LIBOR and changes in the value of such instruments.

Lower Rated Investments Risk.  Investments rated below investment grade and comparable unrated investments (sometimes referred to as “junk”) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments typically are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of commercial or residential mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables.  Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities.  Although certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a government entity, the market price for such securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.  The purchase of mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may entail greater risk than such securities that are issued or guaranteed by a government entity.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may also be subject to greater volatility than government issues and can also be subject to greater credit risk and the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or other assets.  Investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to both extension risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations more slowly in times of rising interest rates, and prepayment risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations sooner than expected in times of declining interest rates.

Stripped Securities Risk.  Stripped Securities (“Strips”) are usually structured with classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying asset or pool of underlying assets. Classes may receive only interest distributions (interest-only “IO”) or only principal (principal-only “PO”). Strips are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates as such changes may increase or decrease prepayments of principal.  A rapid or unexpected increase in prepayments can significantly depress the value of IO Strips, while a rapid or unexpected decrease can have the same effect on PO Strips.

Additional Risks of Loans. Loans are traded in a private, unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank resale market and are generally subject to contractual restrictions that must be satisfied before a loan can be bought or sold. These restrictions may impede the Fund’s ability to buy or sell loans (thus affecting their liquidity) and may negatively impact the transaction price. See also “Market Risk” above. It also may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. Due to the possibility of an extended loan settlement process, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders to meet short-term liquidity needs, such as to satisfy redemption requests from Fund shareholders.  The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and possibly other factors.  Loans with fewer covenants that restrict activities of the borrower may provide the borrower with more flexibility to take actions that may be detrimental to the loan holders and provide fewer investor protections in the event of such actions or if covenants are breached.  The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expense in enforcing its rights with


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds15Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants.  Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. (including loans to sovereign entities) may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks.  The Fund may have difficulties and incur expense enforcing its rights with respect to non-U.S. loans and such loans could be subject to bankruptcy laws that are materially different than in the U.S.  Sovereign entities may be unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under a loan due to budgetary limitations or economic or political changes within the country.  Loans may be structured such that they are not securities under securities law, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower, lenders may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws.  Loans are also subject to risks associated with other types of income investments, including credit risk and risks of lower rated investments.

Municipal Obligations Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal obligations is generally less than for corporate equities or bonds, meaning that the investment performance of municipal obligations may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than stock or corporate bond investments. The secondary market for municipal obligations also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal obligations at attractive prices. The differences between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold may widen during periods of market distress. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. The increased presence of non-traditional participants (such as proprietary trading desks of investment banks and hedge funds) or the absence of traditional participants (such as individuals, insurance companies, banks and life insurance companies) in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets because non-traditional participants may trade more frequently or in greater volume.

Commodity-Related Investments Risk. The value of commodity investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather, embargoes, tariffs, and health, political, international and regulatory developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of the Fund’s commodity investments to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes are unpredictable. Exposure to commodities and commodity markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. No active trading market may exist for certain commodity investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments.  In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodity investments.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event underlying a derivative (“reference instrument”), due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not correlate perfectly with the underlying reference instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying reference instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in (or be unable to achieve) the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.  A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the reference instrument underlying the investment.

Leverage Risk.  Certain Fund transactions may give rise to leverage.  Leverage can result from a non-cash exposure to an underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to maintain liquid assets or liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Restricted Securities Risk.  Unless registered for sale to the public under applicable federal securities law, restricted securities can be sold only in private transactions to qualified purchasers pursuant to an exemption from registration. The sale price realized from a private transaction could be less than the Fund’s purchase price for the restricted security. It


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds16Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



may be difficult to identify a qualified purchaser for a restricted security held by the Fund and such security could be deemed illiquid. It may also be more difficult to value such securities.

Liquidity Risk.  The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices.  Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.

Convertible and Other Hybrid Securities Risk. Convertible and other hybrid securities (including preferred and convertible instruments) generally possess certain characteristics of both equity and debt securities.  In addition to risks associated with investing in income securities, such as interest rate and credit risks, hybrid securities may be subject to issuer-specific and market risks generally applicable to equity securities. Convertible securities may also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to equity investing and market risks. A convertible security may be converted at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Risk.  Securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis are subject to the risk that when delivered they will be worth less than the agreed upon payment price.

Short Sale Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed security. Short sale risks include, among others, the potential loss of more money than the actual cost of the investment, and the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer and sector-specific considerations; unexpected trading activity among retail investors; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks.  If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Fund’s equity securities will also likely decline.  Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Although certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.  U.S. Treasury securities generally have a lower return than other obligations because of their higher credit quality and market liquidity.

Risks of Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement, recovery of the repurchase price owed to the Fund or, in the case of a reverse repurchase agreement, the securities sold by the Fund, may be delayed. In a repurchase agreement, such insolvency may result in a loss to the extent that the value of the purchased securities decreases during the delay or that value has otherwise not been maintained at an amount equal to the repurchase price. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the counterparty’s insolvency may result in a loss equal to the amount by which the value of the securities sold by the Fund exceeds the repurchase price payable by the Fund; if the value of the purchased securities increases during such a delay, that loss may also be increased. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities sold to the counterparty or the securities which the Fund purchases with its proceeds from the agreement would affect the value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such agreements may increase fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Because reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a form of borrowing by the Fund (and a loan from the counterparty), they create leverage. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement at a rate lower than the cost of the agreement, entering into the agreement will lower the Fund’s yield.

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a fund that is “diversified.” Non-diversified funds may focus their investments in a small number of issuers, making them more susceptible to risks affecting such issuers than a more diversified fund might be, and the value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.

Investing in a Portfolio. The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio. This enables the Fund to pool its assets with other investors that also invest in the same Portfolio, resulting in efficiencies in management and administration that can lower the Fund’s costs and enhance shareholder returns. The ability of the Fund operating in a hub and spoke structure to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the corresponding Portfolio to meet its objective. Contribution


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds17Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



and withdrawal activities by other Portfolio investors may impact the management of the Portfolio and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

Management Risk.  The success of the Fund's investment strategy depends on portfolio management's successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment.  Active management involves subjective decisions.  The Fund may utilize systematic investment processes to seek to take advantage of certain quantitative and behavioral market characteristics identified by the investment adviser.  A systematic investment process is dependent on the investment adviser's skill in developing and maintaining that process.

General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is designed to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not suited for short-term trading.  Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s).  In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund.  The Fund relies on various service providers, including the investment adviser and sub-adviser, if applicable, in its operations and is susceptible to operational, information security and related events (such as public health crises, cyber or hacking attacks) that may affect the service providers or the services that they provide to the Fund.  An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad-based securities market index. The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance (both before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund’s performance reflects the effects of expense reductions for certain periods.  Absent these reductions, performance would have been lower.  Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.

PictureCalendar year-by-year total return (Class A)

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Year Total Return

-9.96%

-4.04%

-12.68%

12.33%

16.10%

-8.40%

22.64%

4.67%

-7.64%

-11.98%

For the ten years ended December 31, 2022, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 14.14% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and the lowest quarterly return was -16.32% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds18Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2022

One Year

Five Years

Ten Years

Class A Return Before Taxes

-14.82%

-1.53%

-0.94%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions

-15.42%

-2.85%

-1.99%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Class A Shares

-5.04%

-0.28%

0.13%

Class C Return Before Taxes

-13.33%

-1.59%

-1.17%

Class I Return Before Taxes

-11.51%

-0.60%

-0.31%

J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index: Emerging Markets (JPM GBI–EM) Global Diversified (Unhedged) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

-11.69%

-2.51%

-2.03%

These returns reflect the maximum current sales charge for to the Class A (3.25%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class C.  Effective November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. The average annual total returns listed for Class C reflect conversion to Class A shares after eight years. Prior to November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after purchase.  Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy.  The Index is used with permission.  The Index may not be copied, used, or distributed without J.P. Morgan’s prior written approval.  Copyright 2020, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.  All rights reserved.  Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.  

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return Before Taxes and/or Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.

Management

Investment Adviser.  Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.  Boston Management and Research (“BMR”) serves as investment adviser to the Portfolio(s).

Portfolio Managers

John R. Baur, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since January 2008.

Patrick Campbell, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since July 2022.

Brian Shaw, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since June 2021.

Effective June 30, 2023, the portfolio managers of the Fund and the Portfolio will be Patrick Campbell and Brian Shaw.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.  You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or (except for purchases of Class C shares by accounts with no specified financial intermediary) directly from a Fund either by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 534439, Pittsburgh, PA  15253-4439, or by calling 1-800-262-1122.  The minimum initial purchase or exchange into a Fund is $1,000 for each Class (with the exception of Class I) and $1,000,000 for Class I (waived in certain circumstances).  There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

For important information about taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” on page 45 of this Prospectus.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds19Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Fund

Investment Objective

The Fund's investment objective is total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.  Investors may also pay commissions or other fees to their financial intermediary, which are not reflected below.  You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $100,000 in Eaton Vance funds. Certain financial intermediaries also may offer variations in Fund sales charges to their customers as described in Appendix A – Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations in this Prospectus. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 75 of this Prospectus and page 27 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Class R6

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

3.25%

None

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

None(1)

1.00%

None

None

None

(1)Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $500,000 or more are subject to a 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 12 months of purchase. 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Class R6

Management Fees

0.58%

0.58%

0.58%

0.58%

0.58%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.30%

1.00%

None

0.50%

None

Other Expenses

0.26%

0.26%

0.26%

0.25%

0.19%

Interest Expense

0.08%

0.08%

0.08%

0.08%

0.08%

Expenses Other than Interest Expense

0.18%

0.18%

0.18%

0.17%

0.11%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.14%

1.84%

0.84%

1.33%

0.77%

(1)Expenses in the table above and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and Global Macro Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), the Portfolio in which the Fund invests its assets.  

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the operating expenses remain the same and that any expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place for the contractual period.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Expenses with Redemption

Expenses without Redemption

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A shares

$437

$675

$932

$1,666

$437

$675

$932

$1,666

Class C shares

$287

$579

$995

$1,975

$187

$579

$995

$1,975

Class I shares

$86

$268

$466

$1,037

$86

$268

$466

$1,037

Class R shares

$135

$421

$729

$1,601

$135

$421

$729

$1,601

Class R6 shares

$79

$246

$428

$954

$79

$246

$428

$954


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds20Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Portfolio Turnover

The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” the portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was  81%  of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in securities, derivatives and other instruments to establish long and short investment exposures around the world. Total return is defined as income plus capital appreciation. The Fund normally invests in multiple countries (at least three different countries, one of which can be the United States) and frequently has significant exposure to foreign currencies and investments. The Fund’s long and short investments are primarily sovereign exposures, including currencies, interest rates and debt instruments issued or guaranteed by sovereign entities (including U.S. Treasuries). The Fund may invest in instruments of any credit rating, including those rated below investment grade (rated below BBB by either S&P Global Ratings or Fitch Ratings, or below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.) or in unrated instruments considered to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser (often referred to as “junk” instruments). The Fund may have significant investment in a geographic region or country, typically including less-developed countries. Less-developed countries are commonly referred to as emerging market countries, which include so-called frontier market countries. Frontier countries generally are considered by the portfolio managers to be less developed countries that (i) are not included in the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index: Emerging Markets (JPM GBI-EM) Global Diversified (Unhedged) (the “Index”); or (ii) represent 2% or less of the Index. Normally, not more than 25% of the Fund’s assets are invested in securities or issuers in any one foreign country or denominated in any one currency other than the U.S. dollar or the euro. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund.

The Fund may also invest in other foreign and domestic securities and other instruments, including mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and asset-backed securities, stripped securities, loans, bank instruments, municipal securities, corporate debt, other fixed-income securities and commodities-related investments.  The Fund may invest up to 10% of net assets in equity securities.

The Fund may invest in a wide variety of derivative instruments.  The Fund expects to achieve certain exposures through purchasing and selling derivative instruments, including (but not limited to) forward foreign currency exchange contracts; futures on securities, indices, currencies, commodities, swaps and other investments; options; and interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps, which may create economic leverage in the Fund.  The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek to enhance total return; to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates; to change the effective duration of its portfolio; to manage certain investment risks; and/or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities, currencies or commodities. The Fund’s use of derivatives may be extensive and, except as required by applicable regulation, there is no stated limit on their use.  

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, forward commitments and short sales.  The Fund may enter into forward commitments to purchase generic U.S. Government agency MBS, with the total amount of such outstanding commitments not to exceed 10% of the Fund’s total net assets. Such forward commitments may be entered into for purposes of investment leverage. The Fund may enter into forward commitments to sell generic U.S. Government agency MBS, with the total amount of such outstanding commitments not to exceed 50% of the Fund’s MBS holdings.  The Fund may invest in money market instruments.

The Fund employs an “absolute return” investment approach.  This means that the Fund benchmarks itself to an index of cash instruments, rather than a stock or bond market index, and seeks to achieve returns that exceed its benchmark and are largely independent of broad movements in stocks and bonds.  The Fund’s benchmark is the ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index.

In managing the Fund, the investment adviser utilizes macroeconomic and political analysis to identify investment opportunities throughout the world, including both developed and emerging markets.  The investment adviser seeks to identify countries and currencies it believes have potential to outperform investments in other countries and currencies, and to anticipate changes in global economies, markets, political conditions and other factors for this purpose.  The portfolio managers may also consider financially material environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in evaluating an issuer. These considerations may be taken into account alongside other fundamental research in the investment selection process.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds21Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio, a separate registered investment company with the same investment objective and policies as the Fund.  The Portfolio may gain exposure to commodities by investing up to 25% of its total assets in Eaton Vance GMP Commodity Subsidiary, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodities-related investments, as well as securities and other instruments in which the Portfolio is permitted to invest.

Principal Risks

Market Risk.  The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to social, economic, political, financial, public health crises or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets and include events such as war, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest. These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and may exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions.  Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility.  No active trading market may exist for certain investments held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.

Absolute Return Strategy.  The Fund employs an “absolute return” investment approach. A fund that employs an absolute return strategy typically benchmarks itself to an index of cash instruments and seeks to achieve returns that are largely independent of broad movements in stocks and bonds. Unlike equity funds, such funds should not be expected to benefit from general equity market returns.  Different from fixed income funds, such funds may not generate current income and should not be expected to experience price appreciation as interest rates decline.  Although the Fund’s investment adviser seeks to maximize absolute return, the Fund may not generate positive returns and may suffer losses.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to which United States companies are subject.  Adverse changes in investment regulations, capital requirements or exchange controls could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.  Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States and, as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country.

Economic data as reported by sovereign entities may be delayed, inaccurate or fraudulent. In the event of a default by a sovereign entity, there are typically no assets to be seized or cash flows to be attached. Furthermore, the willingness or ability of a sovereign entity to restructure defaulted debt may be limited. Therefore, losses on sovereign defaults may far exceed the losses from the default of a similarly rated U.S. debt issuer.

Emerging Markets Investment Risk.  Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain sectors.  Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The information available about an emerging market issuer may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.  Such risks may be greater in frontier markets.

Frontier Market Investment Risk.  Frontier markets are among the smallest and least mature investment markets.  Frontier market countries may have greater political or economic instability and may also be subject to trade barriers, adjustments in currency values and developing or changing securities laws and other regulations.  Investments in frontier market countries generally are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than investments in developed markets or emerging markets.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds22Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

Currency Risk.  Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.  The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar.  Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.

Credit Risk. Investments in fixed income and other debt obligations, including loans, (referred to below as “debt instruments”) are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates.  In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.

Interest Rate Risk. In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise.  Duration measures a fixed-income security’s price sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates.  Generally, securities with longer durations or maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations or maturities, causing them to be more volatile.  Conversely, fixed-income securities with shorter durations or maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower returns than fixed-income securities with longer durations or maturities.  The impact of interest rate changes is significantly less for floating-rate investments that have relatively short periodic rate resets (e.g., ninety days or less). In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended. In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.

LIBOR Risk. The London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021, and is expected to cease publishing the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. The Fund has exposure to LIBOR-based instruments. Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well defined, the impact on certain debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR remains uncertain. The transition process may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, such as floating-rate debt obligations.  Any effects of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to the Fund, and such effects may occur prior to the anticipated discontinuation of the remaining LIBOR settings in 2023. Furthermore, the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR and transition to replacement rates may be exacerbated if an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner.

Lower Rated Investments Risk.  Investments rated below investment grade and comparable unrated investments (sometimes referred to as “junk”) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments typically are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of commercial or residential mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables.  Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities.  Although certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a government entity, the market price for such securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.  The purchase of mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may entail greater risk than such securities that are issued or guaranteed by a government entity.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may also be subject to greater volatility than government issues and can also be subject to greater credit risk and the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or other assets.  Investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to both extension risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations more slowly in times of rising interest rates, and prepayment risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations sooner than expected in times of declining interest rates.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds23Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Stripped Securities Risk.  Stripped Securities (“Strips”) are usually structured with classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying asset or pool of underlying assets. Classes may receive only interest distributions (interest-only “IO”) or only principal (principal-only “PO”). Strips are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates as such changes may increase or decrease prepayments of principal.  A rapid or unexpected increase in prepayments can significantly depress the value of IO Strips, while a rapid or unexpected decrease can have the same effect on PO Strips.

Additional Risks of Loans. Loans are traded in a private, unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank resale market and are generally subject to contractual restrictions that must be satisfied before a loan can be bought or sold. These restrictions may impede the Fund’s ability to buy or sell loans (thus affecting their liquidity) and may negatively impact the transaction price. See also “Market Risk” above. It also may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. Due to the possibility of an extended loan settlement process, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders to meet short-term liquidity needs, such as to satisfy redemption requests from Fund shareholders.  The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and possibly other factors.  Loans with fewer covenants that restrict activities of the borrower may provide the borrower with more flexibility to take actions that may be detrimental to the loan holders and provide fewer investor protections in the event of such actions or if covenants are breached.  The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expense in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants.  Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. (including loans to sovereign entities) may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks.  The Fund may have difficulties and incur expense enforcing its rights with respect to non-U.S. loans and such loans could be subject to bankruptcy laws that are materially different than in the U.S.  Sovereign entities may be unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under a loan due to budgetary limitations or economic or political changes within the country.  Loans may be structured such that they are not securities under securities law, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower, lenders may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws.  Loans are also subject to risks associated with other types of income investments, including credit risk and risks of lower rated investments.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event underlying a derivative (“reference instrument”), due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not correlate perfectly with the underlying reference instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying reference instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in (or be unable to achieve) the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.  A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the reference instrument underlying the investment.

Leverage Risk.  Certain Fund transactions may give rise to leverage.  Leverage can result from a non-cash exposure to an underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to maintain liquid assets or liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Commodity-Related Investments Risk. The value of commodity investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather, embargoes, tariffs, and health, political, international and regulatory developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of the Fund’s commodity investments to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes are unpredictable. Exposure to commodities and commodity markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. No active trading market may exist for certain commodity investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the full


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds24Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments.  In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodity investments. Commodity-linked notes may be structured such that their performance deviates significantly from the underlying index or instrument.

As noted above, the Fund expects to invest in the Subsidiary, which invests in commodity-related investments, as well as other permitted instruments. The Subsidiary is subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and is not subject to U.S. laws, including securities laws and their protections and provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Because the Subsidiary is not registered under U.S. federal securities laws, it may not be able to negotiate terms with its counterparties that are equivalent to those of a registered fund.  As a result, the Subsidiary may have greater exposure to those counterparties than a registered fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Subsidiary to operate as described, and could adversely affect the Fund’s investment approach.  In addition, commodity-related investments generally generate income that is not qualifying income for purposes of meeting source of income tests applicable to mutual funds under the Code.  The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued proposed regulations effectively providing that the Subsidiary’s realized annual net profit, if any, will constitute “qualifying income” only to the extent it is timely and currently repatriated to the Portfolio (notwithstanding any previously issued private letter ruling or advice from counsel).  As the Fund intends to satisfy the source of income tests under the Code, its ability to invest in commodity-related investments may become limited, and the Fund may incur transaction and other costs to comply with any new or additional guidance from the IRS. The tax treatment of commodity-related investments and income from the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.

Municipal Obligations Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal obligations is generally less than for corporate equities or bonds, meaning that the investment performance of municipal obligations may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than stock or corporate bond investments. The secondary market for municipal obligations also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal obligations at attractive prices. The differences between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold may widen during periods of market distress. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. The increased presence of non-traditional participants (such as proprietary trading desks of investment banks and hedge funds) or the absence of traditional participants (such as individuals, insurance companies, banks and life insurance companies) in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets because non-traditional participants may trade more frequently or in greater volume.

Convertible and Other Hybrid Securities Risk. Convertible and other hybrid securities (including preferred and convertible instruments) generally possess certain characteristics of both equity and debt securities.  In addition to risks associated with investing in income securities, such as interest rate and credit risks, hybrid securities may be subject to issuer-specific and market risks generally applicable to equity securities. Convertible securities may also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to equity investing and market risks. A convertible security may be converted at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.

Restricted Securities Risk.  Unless registered for sale to the public under applicable federal securities law, restricted securities can be sold only in private transactions to qualified purchasers pursuant to an exemption from registration. The sale price realized from a private transaction could be less than the Fund’s purchase price for the restricted security. It may be difficult to identify a qualified purchaser for a restricted security held by the Fund and such security could be deemed illiquid. It may also be more difficult to value such securities.

Liquidity Risk.  The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices.  Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer and sector-specific considerations; unexpected trading activity among retail investors; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks.  If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Fund’s equity securities will also likely decline.  Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds25Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Preferred Stock Risk.  Although preferred stocks represent an ownership interest in an issuer, preferred stocks generally do not have voting rights or have limited voting rights and have economic characteristics similar to fixed-income securities.  Preferred stocks are subject to issuer-specific risks generally applicable to equity securities and credit and interest rate risks generally applicable to fixed-income securities.  The value of preferred stock generally declines when interest rates rise and may react more significantly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.

Risks of Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement, recovery of the repurchase price owed to the Fund or, in the case of a reverse repurchase agreement, the securities sold by the Fund, may be delayed. In a repurchase agreement, such insolvency may result in a loss to the extent that the value of the purchased securities decreases during the delay or that value has otherwise not been maintained at an amount equal to the repurchase price. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the counterparty’s insolvency may result in a loss equal to the amount by which the value of the securities sold by the Fund exceeds the repurchase price payable by the Fund; if the value of the purchased securities increases during such a delay, that loss may also be increased. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities sold to the counterparty or the securities which the Fund purchases with its proceeds from the agreement would affect the value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such agreements may increase fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Because reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a form of borrowing by the Fund (and a loan from the counterparty), they create leverage. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement at a rate lower than the cost of the agreement, entering into the agreement will lower the Fund’s yield.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Risk.  Securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis are subject to the risk that when delivered they will be worth less than the agreed upon payment price.

Short Sale Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed security. Short sale risks include, among others, the potential loss of more money than the actual cost of the investment, and the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Although certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.  U.S. Treasury securities generally have a lower return than other obligations because of their higher credit quality and market liquidity.  

Money Market Instrument Risk. Money market instruments may be adversely affected by market and economic events, such as a sharp rise in prevailing short-term interest rates; adverse developments in the banking industry, which issues or guarantees many money market instruments; adverse economic, political or other developments affecting issuers of money market instruments; changes in the credit quality of issuers; and default by a counterparty.

Geographic Risk.  Because the Fund may invest significantly in a particular geographic region or country, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region or country and may fluctuate more than that of a fund that invests more broadly.

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a fund that is “diversified.” Non-diversified funds may focus their investments in a small number of issuers, making them more susceptible to risks affecting such issuers than a more diversified fund might be, and the value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.

Investing in a Portfolio. The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio. This enables the Fund to pool its assets with other investors that also invest in the same Portfolio, resulting in efficiencies in management and administration that can lower the Fund’s costs and enhance shareholder returns. The ability of the Fund operating in a hub and spoke structure to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the corresponding Portfolio to meet its objective. Contribution and withdrawal activities by other Portfolio investors may impact the management of the Portfolio and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

Risks Associated with Active Management.  The success of the Fund’s investment strategy depends on portfolio management’s successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment.  Active management involves subjective decisions and there is no guarantee that such decisions will produce the desired results or expected returns.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds26Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is designed to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not suited for short-term trading.  Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s).  In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund.  The Fund relies on various service providers, including the investment adviser and sub-adviser, if applicable, in its operations and is susceptible to operational, information security and related events (such as public health crises, cyber or hacking attacks) that may affect the service providers or the services that they provide to the Fund.  An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad-based securities market index.  The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge.  If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower.  Past performance (both before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  The Fund’s performance for certain periods reflects the effects of expense reductions.  Absent these reductions, performance for certain periods would have been lower.  Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.

Picture 

Calendar year-by-year total return (Class A)

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Year Total Return

-0.55%

2.69%

2.28%

3.77%

3.97%

-3.57%

9.41%

3.26%

1.88%

-0.75%

For the ten years ended December 31, 2022, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 6.62% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and the lowest quarterly return was -6.58% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  

Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2022

One Year

Five Years

Ten Years

Class A Return Before Taxes

-3.99%

1.28%

1.85%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions

-5.42%

-0.08%

0.50%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Class A Shares

-2.08%

0.49%

0.91%

Class C Return Before Taxes

-2.49%

1.25%

1.62%

Class I Return Before Taxes

-0.46%

2.26%

2.49%

Class R Return Before Taxes

-0.94%

1.78%

1.99%

Class R6 Return Before Taxes

-0.37%

2.35%

2.53%

ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1.46%

1.26%

0.76%

These returns reflect the maximum current sales charge for to the Class A (3.25%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class C.  Effective November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. The average annual total returns listed for Class C reflect conversion to Class A shares after eight years. Prior to November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after purchase.  The Class R6 performance shown above for the period prior to May 31, 2017 (commencement of operations) is the performance of Class I shares at net asset value without adjustment for any differences in the expenses of the two classes. If adjusted for such differences, returns would be different.  ICE® BofA® indices are not for redistribution or other uses; provided “as is,” without warranties, and with no liability.  Eaton Vance has prepared this report and ICE Data Indices, LLC does not endorse it, or guarantee, review, or endorse Eaton Vance’s products. BofA® is a licensed registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation in the United States and other countries.  Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds27Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return Before Taxes and/or Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.

Management

Investment Adviser.  Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.  Boston Management and Research (“BMR”) serves as investment adviser to the Portfolio(s).

Investment Sub-Adviser.  Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (“EVAIL”).

Portfolio Managers

John R. Baur, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since January 2008.

Patrick Campbell, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since June 2021.

Hussein Khattab, Vice President of EVAIL, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since March 2022.

Kyle Lee, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since June 2021.

Federico Sequeda, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since June 2021.

Effective June 30, 2023, the portfolio managers of the Fund and the Portfolio will be Patrick Campbell, Hussein Khattab, Kyle Lee and Federico Sequeda.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.  You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or (except for purchases of Class C shares by accounts with no specified financial intermediary) directly from a Fund either by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 534439, Pittsburgh, PA  15253-4439, or by calling 1-800-262-1122.  The minimum initial purchase or exchange into a Fund is $1,000 for Class A, Class C and Class R, $1,000,000 for Class I and $5,000,000 for Class R6 (waived in certain circumstances).  There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

For important information about taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” on page 45 of this Prospectus.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds28Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund

Investment Objective

The Fund's investment objective is total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.  Investors may also pay commissions or other fees to their financial intermediary, which are not reflected below.  You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $100,000 in Eaton Vance funds. Certain financial intermediaries also may offer variations in Fund sales charges to their customers as described in Appendix A – Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations in this Prospectus. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 75 of this Prospectus and page 27 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Class R6

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

3.25%

None

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

None(1)

1.00%

None

None

None

(1)Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $500,000 or more are subject to a 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 12 months of purchase. 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Class R6

 

Management Fees

0.95%

0.95%

0.95%

0.95%

0.95%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.30%

1.00%

None

0.50%

None

Other Expenses

0.37%

0.37%

0.37%

0.37%

0.34%

Interest Expense

0.16%

0.16%

0.16%

0.16%

0.16%

Expenses Other than Interest Expense

0.21%

0.21%

0.21%

0.21%

0.18%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.62%

2.32%

1.32%

1.82%

1.29%

Expense Reimbursement (2)

(0.11)%

(0.11)%

(0.11)%

(0.11)%

(0.11)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement

1.51%

2.21%

1.21%

1.71%

1.18%

(1)Expenses in the table above and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), the Portfolio in which the Fund invests its assets.  

(2)The investment adviser and administrator have agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.35% for Class A shares, 2.05% for Class C shares, 1.05% for Class I shares, 1.55% for Class R shares and 1.02% for Class R6 shares.  This expense reimbursement will continue through February 29, 2024.  Any amendment to or termination of this reimbursement would require approval of the Board of Trustees.  The expense reimbursement relates to ordinary operating expenses only and does not include expenses such as: brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses of unaffiliated funds, borrowing costs (including borrowing costs of any acquired funds), taxes or litigation expenses.  Amounts reimbursed may be recouped by the investment adviser and administrator during the same fiscal year to the extent actual expenses are less than any contractual expense cap in place during such year.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds29Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 




Eaton Vance Global Income Funds30Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the operating expenses remain the same and that any expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place for the contractual period.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Expenses with Redemption

Expenses without Redemption

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A shares

$474

$809

$1,168

$2,176

$474

$809

$1,168

$2,176

Class C shares

$324

$714

$1,230

$2,472

$224

$714

$1,230

$2,472

Class I shares

$123

$407

$713

$1,581

$123

$407

$713

$1,581

Class R shares

$174

$562

$975

$2,128

$174

$562

$975

$2,128

Class R6 shares

$120

$398

$697

$1,547

$120

$398

$697

$1,547

Portfolio Turnover

The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” the portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was  94%  of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in securities, derivatives and other instruments to establish long and short investment exposures around the world. Total return is defined as income plus capital appreciation. The Fund normally invests in multiple countries and frequently has significant exposure to foreign currencies and investments. The Fund normally invests at least 40% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund’s long and short investments are primarily sovereign exposures, including currencies, interest rates and debt instruments issued or guaranteed by sovereign entities (including U.S. Treasuries). The Fund may invest in instruments of any credit rating, including those rated below investment grade (rated below BBB by either S&P Global Ratings or Fitch Ratings, or below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.) or in unrated instruments considered to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser (often referred to as “junk” instruments). The Fund may have significant investment in a geographic region or country and typically a portion will be invested in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries include so-called frontier market countries, which generally are considered by the portfolio managers to be less developed countries that (i) are not included in the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index: Emerging Markets (JPM GBI-EM) Global Diversified (Unhedged) (the “Index”); or (ii) represent 2% or less of the Index. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund.

The Fund may also invest in other foreign and domestic securities and other instruments, including mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and asset-backed securities, stripped securities, loans, bank instruments, municipal securities, corporate debt, other fixed-income securities, equity securities and commodities-related investments.  The Fund may invest in money markets instruments.

The Fund may invest in a wide variety of derivative instruments.  The Fund expects to achieve certain exposures through purchasing and selling derivative instruments, including (but not limited to) forward foreign currency exchange contracts; futures on securities, indices, currencies, commodities, swaps and other investments; options; and interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps, which may create economic leverage in the Fund.  The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek to enhance total return; to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates; to change the effective duration of its portfolio; to manage certain investment risks; and/or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities, currencies or commodities.  The Fund’s use of derivatives is frequently extensive and, except as required by applicable regulation, there is no stated limit on their use.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds31Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and short sales.  The Fund also may enter into forward commitments to purchase or sell instruments.

The Fund employs an “absolute return” investment approach.  This means that the Fund benchmarks itself to an index of cash instruments, rather than a stock or bond market index, and seeks to achieve returns that exceed its benchmark and are largely independent of broad movements in stocks and bonds.  The Fund’s benchmark is the ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index.

In managing the Fund, the investment adviser utilizes macroeconomic and political analysis to identify investment opportunities throughout the world, including both developed and emerging markets.  The investment adviser seeks to identify countries and currencies it believes have potential to outperform investments in other countries and currencies, and to anticipate changes in global economies, markets, political conditions and other factors for this purpose.  The portfolio managers may also consider financially material environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in evaluating an issuer. These considerations may be taken into account alongside other fundamental research in the investment selection process.

The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio, a separate registered investment company with the same investment objective and policies as the Fund.  The Portfolio may gain exposure to commodities by investing up to 25% of its total assets in Eaton Vance GMAP Commodity Subsidiary, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodities-related investments, as well as securities and other instruments in which the Portfolio is permitted to invest.

Principal Risks

Market Risk.  The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to social, economic, political, financial, public health crises or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets and include events such as war, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest. These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and may exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions.  Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility.  No active trading market may exist for certain investments held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.

Absolute Return Strategy.  The Fund employs an “absolute return” investment approach. A fund that employs an absolute return strategy typically benchmarks itself to an index of cash instruments and seeks to achieve returns that are largely independent of broad movements in stocks and bonds. Unlike equity funds, such funds should not be expected to benefit from general equity market returns.  Different from fixed income funds, such funds may not generate current income and should not be expected to experience price appreciation as interest rates decline.  Although the Fund’s investment adviser seeks to maximize absolute return, the Fund may not generate positive returns and may suffer losses.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to which United States companies are subject.  Adverse changes in investment regulations, capital requirements or exchange controls could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.  Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States and, as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country.

Economic data as reported by sovereign entities may be delayed, inaccurate or fraudulent. In the event of a default by a sovereign entity, there are typically no assets to be seized or cash flows to be attached. Furthermore, the willingness or ability of a sovereign entity to restructure defaulted debt may be limited. Therefore, losses on sovereign defaults may far exceed the losses from the default of a similarly rated U.S. debt issuer.

Emerging Markets Investment Risk.  Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain sectors.  Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds32Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



information available about an emerging market issuer may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.  Such risks may be greater in frontier markets.

Frontier Market Investment Risk.  Frontier markets are among the smallest and least mature investment markets.  Frontier market countries may have greater political or economic instability and may also be subject to trade barriers, adjustments in currency values and developing or changing securities laws and other regulations.  Investments in frontier market countries generally are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than investments in developed markets or emerging markets.

Currency Risk.  Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.  The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar.  Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.

Credit Risk. Investments in fixed income and other debt obligations, including loans, (referred to below as “debt instruments”) are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates.  In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.

Interest Rate Risk. In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise.  Duration measures a fixed-income security’s price sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates.  Generally, securities with longer durations or maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations or maturities, causing them to be more volatile.  Conversely, fixed-income securities with shorter durations or maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower returns than fixed-income securities with longer durations or maturities.  The impact of interest rate changes is significantly less for floating-rate investments that have relatively short periodic rate resets (e.g., ninety days or less). In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended. In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.

LIBOR Risk. The London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021, and is expected to cease publishing the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. The Fund has exposure to LIBOR-based instruments. Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well defined, the impact on certain debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR remains uncertain. The transition process may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, such as floating-rate debt obligations.  Any effects of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to the Fund, and such effects may occur prior to the anticipated discontinuation of the remaining LIBOR settings in 2023. Furthermore, the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR and transition to replacement rates may be exacerbated if an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner.

Lower Rated Investments Risk.  Investments rated below investment grade and comparable unrated investments (sometimes referred to as “junk”) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments typically are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of commercial or residential mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables.  Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities.  Although certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities are guaranteed as to timely payment of


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds33Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



interest and principal by a government entity, the market price for such securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.  The purchase of mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may entail greater risk than such securities that are issued or guaranteed by a government entity.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may also be subject to greater volatility than government issues and can also be subject to greater credit risk and the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or other assets.  Investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to both extension risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations more slowly in times of rising interest rates, and prepayment risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations sooner than expected in times of declining interest rates.

Stripped Securities Risk.  Stripped Securities (“Strips”) are usually structured with classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying asset or pool of underlying assets. Classes may receive only interest distributions (interest-only “IO”) or only principal (principal-only “PO”). Strips are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates as such changes may increase or decrease prepayments of principal.  A rapid or unexpected increase in prepayments can significantly depress the value of IO Strips, while a rapid or unexpected decrease can have the same effect on PO Strips.

Additional Risks of Loans. Loans are traded in a private, unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank resale market and are generally subject to contractual restrictions that must be satisfied before a loan can be bought or sold. These restrictions may impede the Fund’s ability to buy or sell loans (thus affecting their liquidity) and may negatively impact the transaction price. See also “Market Risk” above. It also may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. Due to the possibility of an extended loan settlement process, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders to meet short-term liquidity needs, such as to satisfy redemption requests from Fund shareholders.  The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and possibly other factors.  Loans with fewer covenants that restrict activities of the borrower may provide the borrower with more flexibility to take actions that may be detrimental to the loan holders and provide fewer investor protections in the event of such actions or if covenants are breached.  The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expense in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants.  Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. (including loans to sovereign entities) may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks.  The Fund may have difficulties and incur expense enforcing its rights with respect to non-U.S. loans and such loans could be subject to bankruptcy laws that are materially different than in the U.S.  Sovereign entities may be unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under a loan due to budgetary limitations or economic or political changes within the country.  Loans may be structured such that they are not securities under securities law, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower, lenders may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws.  Loans are also subject to risks associated with other types of income investments, including credit risk and risks of lower rated investments.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event underlying a derivative (“reference instrument”), due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not correlate perfectly with the underlying reference instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying reference instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in (or be unable to achieve) the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.  A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the reference instrument underlying the investment.

Leverage Risk.  Certain Fund transactions may give rise to leverage.  Leverage can result from a non-cash exposure to an underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to maintain liquid assets or liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds34Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Commodity-Related Investments Risk. The value of commodity investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather, embargoes, tariffs, and health, political, international and regulatory developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of the Fund’s commodity investments to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes are unpredictable. Exposure to commodities and commodity markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. No active trading market may exist for certain commodity investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments.  In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodity investments. Commodity-linked notes may be structured such that their performance deviates significantly from the underlying index or instrument.

As noted above, the Fund expects to invest in the Subsidiary, which invests in commodity-related investments, as well as other permitted instruments. The Subsidiary is subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and is not subject to U.S. laws, including securities laws and their protections and provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Because the Subsidiary is not registered under U.S. federal securities laws, it may not be able to negotiate terms with its counterparties that are equivalent to those of a registered fund.  As a result, the Subsidiary may have greater exposure to those counterparties than a registered fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Subsidiary to operate as described, and could adversely affect the Fund’s investment approach.  In addition, commodity-related investments generally generate income that is not qualifying income for purposes of meeting source of income tests applicable to mutual funds under the Code.  The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued proposed regulations effectively providing that the Subsidiary’s realized annual net profit, if any, will constitute “qualifying income” only to the extent it is timely and currently repatriated to the Portfolio (notwithstanding any previously issued private letter ruling or advice from counsel).  As the Fund intends to satisfy the source of income tests under the Code, its ability to invest in commodity-related investments may become limited, and the Fund may incur transaction and other costs to comply with any new or additional guidance from the IRS. The tax treatment of commodity-related investments and income from the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.

Municipal Obligations Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal obligations is generally less than for corporate equities or bonds, meaning that the investment performance of municipal obligations may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than stock or corporate bond investments. The secondary market for municipal obligations also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal obligations at attractive prices. The differences between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold may widen during periods of market distress. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. The increased presence of non-traditional participants (such as proprietary trading desks of investment banks and hedge funds) or the absence of traditional participants (such as individuals, insurance companies, banks and life insurance companies) in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets because non-traditional participants may trade more frequently or in greater volume.

Convertible and Other Hybrid Securities Risk. Convertible and other hybrid securities (including preferred and convertible instruments) generally possess certain characteristics of both equity and debt securities.  In addition to risks associated with investing in income securities, such as interest rate and credit risks, hybrid securities may be subject to issuer-specific and market risks generally applicable to equity securities. Convertible securities may also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to equity investing and market risks. A convertible security may be converted at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.

Restricted Securities Risk.  Unless registered for sale to the public under applicable federal securities law, restricted securities can be sold only in private transactions to qualified purchasers pursuant to an exemption from registration. The sale price realized from a private transaction could be less than the Fund’s purchase price for the restricted security. It may be difficult to identify a qualified purchaser for a restricted security held by the Fund and such security could be deemed illiquid. It may also be more difficult to value such securities.

Liquidity Risk.  The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices.  Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds35Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer and sector-specific considerations; unexpected trading activity among retail investors; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks.  If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Fund’s equity securities will also likely decline.  Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

Preferred Stock Risk.  Although preferred stocks represent an ownership interest in an issuer, preferred stocks generally do not have voting rights or have limited voting rights and have economic characteristics similar to fixed-income securities.  Preferred stocks are subject to issuer-specific risks generally applicable to equity securities and credit and interest rate risks generally applicable to fixed-income securities.  The value of preferred stock generally declines when interest rates rise and may react more significantly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.

Risks of Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement, recovery of the repurchase price owed to the Fund or, in the case of a reverse repurchase agreement, the securities sold by the Fund, may be delayed. In a repurchase agreement, such insolvency may result in a loss to the extent that the value of the purchased securities decreases during the delay or that value has otherwise not been maintained at an amount equal to the repurchase price. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the counterparty’s insolvency may result in a loss equal to the amount by which the value of the securities sold by the Fund exceeds the repurchase price payable by the Fund; if the value of the purchased securities increases during such a delay, that loss may also be increased. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities sold to the counterparty or the securities which the Fund purchases with its proceeds from the agreement would affect the value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such agreements may increase fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Because reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a form of borrowing by the Fund (and a loan from the counterparty), they create leverage. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement at a rate lower than the cost of the agreement, entering into the agreement will lower the Fund’s yield.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Risk.  Securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis are subject to the risk that when delivered they will be worth less than the agreed upon payment price.

Short Sale Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed security. Short sale risks include, among others, the potential loss of more money than the actual cost of the investment, and the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Although certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.  U.S. Treasury securities generally have a lower return than other obligations because of their higher credit quality and market liquidity.  

Money Market Instrument Risk. Money market instruments may be adversely affected by market and economic events, such as a sharp rise in prevailing short-term interest rates; adverse developments in the banking industry, which issues or guarantees many money market instruments; adverse economic, political or other developments affecting issuers of money market instruments; changes in the credit quality of issuers; and default by a counterparty.

Geographic Risk.  Because the Fund may invest significantly in a particular geographic region or country, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region or country and may fluctuate more than that of a fund that invests more broadly.

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a fund that is “diversified.” Non-diversified funds may focus their investments in a small number of issuers, making them more susceptible to risks affecting such issuers than a more diversified fund might be, and the value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds36Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

Investing in a Portfolio. The Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio. This enables the Fund to pool its assets with other investors that also invest in the same Portfolio, resulting in efficiencies in management and administration that can lower the Fund’s costs and enhance shareholder returns. The ability of the Fund operating in a hub and spoke structure to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the corresponding Portfolio to meet its objective. Contribution and withdrawal activities by other Portfolio investors may impact the management of the Portfolio and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

Risks Associated with Active Management.  The success of the Fund’s investment strategy depends on portfolio management’s successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment.  Active management involves subjective decisions and there is no guarantee that such decisions will produce the desired results or expected returns.

General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is designed to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not suited for short-term trading.  Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s).  In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund.  The Fund relies on various service providers, including the investment adviser and sub-adviser, if applicable, in its operations and is susceptible to operational, information security and related events (such as public health crises, cyber or hacking attacks) that may affect the service providers or the services that they provide to the Fund.  An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad-based securities market index. The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance (both before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund’s performance reflects the effects of expense reductions.  Absent these reductions, performance would have been lower.  Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.

PictureCalendar year-by-year total return (Class A)

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Year Total Return

-1.03%

5.97%

3.84%

5.57%

5.49%

-3.57%

14.43%

4.49%

3.36%

-2.3%

For the ten years ended December 31, 2022, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 11.22% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and the lowest quarterly return was -10.26% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds37Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2022

One Year

Five Years

Ten Years

Class A Return Before Taxes

-5.48%

1.30%

2.61%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions

-7.14%

-0.11%

1.31%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Class A Shares

-3.23%

0.36%

1.44%

Class C Return Before Taxes

-3.84%

1.29%

2.37%

Class I Return Before Taxes

-1.94%

2.29%

3.26%

Class R Return Before Taxes

-2.46%

1.78%

2.76%

Class R6 Return Before Taxes

-1.95%

2.36%

3.30%

ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1.46%

1.26%

0.76%

These returns reflect the maximum current sales charge for to the Class A (3.25%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class C.  Effective November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. The average annual total returns listed for Class C reflect conversion to Class A shares after eight years. Prior to November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after purchase.  The Class R6 performance shown above for the period prior to May 31, 2017 (commencement of operations) is the performance of Class I shares at net asset value without adjustment for any differences in the expenses of the two classes. If adjusted for such differences, returns would be different. ICE® BofA® indices are not for redistribution or other uses; provided “as is,” without warranties, and with no liability.  Eaton Vance has prepared this report and ICE Data Indices, LLC does not endorse it, or guarantee, review, or endorse Eaton Vance’s products. BofA® is a licensed registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation in the United States and other countries. Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.  

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return Before Taxes and/or Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.

Management

Investment Adviser.  Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.  Boston Management and Research (“BMR”) serves as investment adviser to the Portfolio(s).

Investment Sub-Adviser.  Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (“EVAIL”).

Portfolio Managers

John R. Baur, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since their inception in August 2010.

Patrick Campbell, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since June 2021.

Hussein Khattab, Vice President of EVAIL, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since March 2022.

Kyle Lee, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since June 2021.

Federico Sequeda, Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR, has managed the Fund and the Portfolio since June 2021.

Effective June 30, 2023, the portfolio managers of the Fund and the Portfolio will be Patrick Campbell, Hussein Khattab, Kyle Lee and Federico Sequeda.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.  You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or (except for purchases of Class C shares by accounts with no specified financial intermediary) directly from a Fund either by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 534439, Pittsburgh, PA  15253-4439, or by calling 1-800-262-1122.  The minimum initial purchase or exchange into a Fund is $1,000 for Class A, Class C and Class R, $1,000,000 for Class I and $5,000,000 for Class R6 (waived in certain circumstances).  There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

For important information about taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” on page 45 of this Prospectus.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds38Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund

Investment Objective

The Fund's investment objective is total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.  Investors may also pay commissions or other fees to their financial intermediary, which are not reflected below.  You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $100,000 in Eaton Vance funds. Certain financial intermediaries also may offer variations in Fund sales charges to their customers as described in Appendix A – Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations in this Prospectus. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 75 of this Prospectus and page 27 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

3.25%

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

None(1)

1.00%

None

None

(1)Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $500,000 or more are subject to a 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 12 months of purchase. 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Management Fees

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.25%

1.00%

None

0.50%

Other Expenses

0.10%

0.10%

0.10%

0.10%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(1)

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.12%

1.87%

0.87%

1.37%

(1)Reflects the Fund’s allocable share of the advisory fee and other expenses of the Portfolio(s)/Fund(s) in which it invests. 

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the operating expenses remain the same and that any expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place for the contractual period.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Expenses with Redemption

Expenses without Redemption

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A shares

$435

$669

$922

$1,644

$435

$669

$922

$1,644

Class C shares

$290

$588

$1,011

$1,995

$190

$588

$1,011

$1,995

Class I shares

$89

$278

$482

$1,073

$89

$278

$482

$1,073

Class R shares

$139

$434

$750

$1,646

$139

$434

$750

$1,646


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds39Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Portfolio Turnover

The Fund and the Portfolios in which it invests (see below) pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” the portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was  22%  of the average value of its portfolio.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds40Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund has a flexible investment strategy and will invest in a variety of securities and other investments and use a variety of investment techniques in pursuing its investment objective. The Fund seeks investment in, but not limited to, foreign and domestic securities and other instruments, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations, stripped securities, preferred and convertible securities, bank instruments, high yield corporate debt, loans, other fixed-income securities, sovereign nations including emerging markets and so-called frontier markets (such as currencies, interest rates and debt instruments issued or guaranteed by sovereign entities (including U.S. Treasuries)), inflation and credit-linked debt securities, municipal investments, and commodities-related investments. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equity securities and may invest up to 10% of its net assets in municipal securities. The Fund may have significant investment in a geographic region or country. Under normal market conditions, the Fund’s average duration will not exceed 3.5 years.

The Fund expects to achieve certain investment exposures through purchasing and selling derivative transactions, including (but not limited to) forward foreign currency exchange contracts; futures on securities, indices, currencies, commodities, swaps and other investments; options; and interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps, which may create economic leverage in the Fund.  The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek to enhance total return; to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates; to change the effective duration of its portfolio; to manage certain investment risks; and/or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities, currencies or commodities.  The Fund may use derivatives to implement various systematic investment processes, including taking long and short interest rate positions across various emerging markets to seek to enhance total return.  The Fund’s use of derivatives may be extensive and, except as required by applicable regulation, there is no stated limit on their use.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective of total return by investing in registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance and its affiliates that invest in different asset classes (the “Portfolios”). Total return is defined as income plus capital appreciation. In making allocation decisions, the Fund’s portfolio managers take market and other factors into consideration. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund.

The Fund will maintain an average credit rating of at least investment grade (BBB by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), or Baa by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”)). The Fund’s average credit rating will be the weighted-average of (i) the average credit ratings of the Portfolios in which it invests and (ii) the securities it holds directly. While the Fund’s average credit rating will be investment grade, the Fund may invest in securities that are rated below investment grade (rated below BBB by either S&P or Fitch, or below Baa by Moody’s) or in unrated securities considered to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser (often referred to as “junk” instruments).   

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, forward commitments and short sales.  The Fund may invest in Portfolios that acquire investments with borrowings. The Fund may enter into forward commitments to buy or sell agency MBS (to-be-announced transactions, or “TBAs”).

In managing the Fund, the investment adviser adjusts investments based on its macroeconomic views and analysis in an effort to take advantage of differences in investment sectors, such as U.S. government, investment grade and below investment grade credit markets, and foreign sectors (primarily focused on sovereign debt, currencies and interest rates).  The investment adviser considers the relative risk/return characteristics of prospective investments (whether securities, currencies, derivatives, commodities or other instruments) in determining the most efficient means for achieving desired exposures.  The portfolio managers may also consider financially material environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in evaluating an issuer. These considerations may be taken into account alongside other fundamental research in the investment selection process.

The Fund may gain exposure to commodities by investing in certain registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance and its affiliates that invest in commodities and commodities-related investments. Each such fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodities-related investments, as well as securities and other instruments in which such fund is permitted to invest (the “Subsidiary”).


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds41Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

 

Principal Risks

Fund-of-Funds Structure. The Fund invests in other underlying funds in a fund-of-funds structure.  The Fund’s asset allocation strategy and its selection of particular underlying funds may cause the Fund to underperform funds with similar investment objectives.  The Fund’s performance is dependent upon the performance of the underlying funds and the Fund is subject to all of the risks of the underlying funds.  The risks discussed herein are the principal risks applicable to the Fund either directly or through its investment in the underlying funds and accordingly, references to the Fund below may be to the Fund or one or more underlying funds.

Market Risk.  The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to social, economic, political, financial, public health crises or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets and include events such as war, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest. These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and may exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions.  Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility.  No active trading market may exist for certain investments held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to which United States companies are subject.  Adverse changes in investment regulations, capital requirements or exchange controls could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.  Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States and, as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country.

Economic data as reported by sovereign entities may be delayed, inaccurate or fraudulent. In the event of a default by a sovereign entity, there are typically no assets to be seized or cash flows to be attached. Furthermore, the willingness or ability of a sovereign entity to restructure defaulted debt may be limited. Therefore, losses on sovereign defaults may far exceed the losses from the default of a similarly rated U.S. debt issuer.

Emerging Markets Investment Risk.  Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain sectors.  Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The information available about an emerging market issuer may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.  Such risks may be greater in frontier markets.

Frontier Market Investment Risk.  Frontier markets are among the smallest and least mature investment markets.  Frontier market countries may have greater political or economic instability and may also be subject to trade barriers, adjustments in currency values and developing or changing securities laws and other regulations.  Investments in frontier market countries generally are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than investments in developed markets or emerging markets.

Currency Risk.  Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.  The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar.  Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.

Interest Rate Risk. In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise.  Duration measures a fixed-income security’s price sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates.  Generally, securities with longer durations or maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations or maturities, causing them to be more volatile.  Conversely, fixed-income securities with shorter durations or maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower returns than fixed-income securities with longer durations or maturities.  The Fund may own individual investments that have longer durations than the average duration of the Fund.  The impact of interest rate


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds42Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



changes is significantly less for floating-rate investments that have relatively short periodic rate resets (e.g., ninety days or less). In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended. In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.

LIBOR Risk. The London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021, and is expected to cease publishing the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. The Fund has exposure to LIBOR-based instruments. Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well defined, the impact on certain debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR remains uncertain. The transition process may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, such as floating-rate debt obligations.  Any effects of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to the Fund, and such effects may occur prior to the anticipated discontinuation of the remaining LIBOR settings in 2023. Furthermore, the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR and transition to replacement rates may be exacerbated if an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner.

Lower Rated Investments Risk.  Investments rated below investment grade and comparable unrated investments (sometimes referred to as “junk”) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments typically are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of commercial or residential mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables.  Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities.  Although certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a government entity, the market price for such securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.  The purchase of mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may entail greater risk than such securities that are issued or guaranteed by a government entity.  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities issued by non-government entities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may also be subject to greater volatility than government issues and can also be subject to greater credit risk and the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or other assets.  Investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to both extension risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations more slowly in times of rising interest rates, and prepayment risk, where borrowers pay off their debt obligations sooner than expected in times of declining interest rates.

Stripped Securities Risk.  Stripped Securities (“Strips”) are usually structured with classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying asset or pool of underlying assets. Classes may receive only interest distributions (interest-only “IO”) or only principal (principal-only “PO”). Strips are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates as such changes may increase or decrease prepayments of principal.  A rapid or unexpected increase in prepayments can significantly depress the value of IO Strips, while a rapid or unexpected decrease can have the same effect on PO Strips.

Additional Risks of Loans. Loans are traded in a private, unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank resale market and are generally subject to contractual restrictions that must be satisfied before a loan can be bought or sold. These restrictions may impede the Fund’s ability to buy or sell loans (thus affecting their liquidity) and may negatively impact the transaction price. See also “Market Risk” above. It also may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. Due to the possibility of an extended loan settlement process, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders to meet short-term liquidity needs, such as to satisfy redemption requests from Fund shareholders.  The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and possibly other factors.  Loans with fewer covenants that restrict activities of the borrower may provide the borrower with more flexibility to take actions that may be detrimental to the loan holders and provide fewer investor protections in the event of such actions or if covenants are breached.  The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expense in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants.  Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. (including loans to sovereign entities) may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks.  The Fund may have difficulties and incur expense enforcing its rights with respect to non-U.S. loans and such loans could be subject to bankruptcy laws that are materially different than in the U.S.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds43Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Sovereign entities may be unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under a loan due to budgetary limitations or economic or political changes within the country.  Loans may be structured such that they are not securities under securities law, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower, lenders may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws.  Loans are also subject to risks associated with other types of income investments, including credit risk and risks of lower rated investments.

Municipal Obligations Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal obligations is generally less than for corporate equities or bonds, meaning that the investment performance of municipal obligations may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than stock or corporate bond investments. The secondary market for municipal obligations also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal obligations at attractive prices. The differences between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold may widen during periods of market distress. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. The increased presence of non-traditional participants (such as proprietary trading desks of investment banks and hedge funds) or the absence of traditional participants (such as individuals, insurance companies, banks and life insurance companies) in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets because non-traditional participants may trade more frequently or in greater volume.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event underlying a derivative (“reference instrument”), due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not correlate perfectly with the underlying reference instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying reference instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in (or be unable to achieve) the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.  A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the reference instrument underlying the investment.

Leverage Risk.  Certain Fund transactions may give rise to leverage.  Leverage can result from a non-cash exposure to an underlying reference instrument.  Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to maintain liquid assets or liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Commodity-Related Investments Risk. The value of commodity investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather, embargoes, tariffs, and health, political, international and regulatory developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of the Fund’s commodity investments to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes are unpredictable. Exposure to commodities and commodity markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. No active trading market may exist for certain commodity investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments.  In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodity investments. Commodity-linked notes may be structured such that their performance deviates significantly from the underlying index or instrument.

As noted above, the Fund expects to invest in the Subsidiary, which invests in commodity-related investments, as well as other permitted instruments. The Subsidiary is subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and is not subject to U.S. laws, including securities laws and their protections and provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Because the Subsidiary is not registered under U.S. federal securities laws, it may not be able to negotiate terms with its counterparties that are equivalent to those of a registered fund.  As a result, the Subsidiary may have greater exposure to those counterparties than a registered fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Subsidiary to operate as described, and could adversely affect the Fund’s investment approach.  In


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds44Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



addition, commodity-related investments generally generate income that is not qualifying income for purposes of meeting source of income tests applicable to mutual funds under the Code.  The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued proposed regulations effectively providing that the Subsidiary’s realized annual net profit, if any, will constitute “qualifying income” only to the extent it is timely and currently repatriated to the Fund or the registered fund/Portfolio (notwithstanding any previously issued private letter ruling or advice from counsel).  As the Fund intends to satisfy the source of income tests under the Code, its ability to invest in commodity-related investments may become limited, and the Fund may incur transaction and other costs to comply with any new or additional guidance from the IRS. The tax treatment of commodity-related investments and income from the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.

Restricted Securities Risk.  Unless registered for sale to the public under applicable federal securities law, restricted securities can be sold only in private transactions to qualified purchasers pursuant to an exemption from registration. The sale price realized from a private transaction could be less than the Fund’s purchase price for the restricted security. It may be difficult to identify a qualified purchaser for a restricted security held by the Fund and such security could be deemed illiquid. It may also be more difficult to value such securities.

Liquidity Risk.  The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices.  Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.

Credit Risk. Investments in fixed income and other debt obligations, including loans, (referred to below as “debt instruments”) are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates.  In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.

Inflation-Linked Investments Risk. Inflation-linked investments are subject to the effects of changes in market interest rates caused by factors other than inflation (real interest rates).  In general, the price of an inflation-linked investment tends to decrease when real interest rates increase and increase when real interest rates decrease. Interest payments on inflation-linked investments may vary widely and will fluctuate as the principal and interest are adjusted for inflation.  Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked investment will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though the Fund will not receive the principal until maturity. There can be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. The Fund’s investments in inflation-linked investments may lose value in the event that the actual rate of inflation is different from the rate of the inflation index.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer and sector-specific considerations; unexpected trading activity among retail investors; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks.  If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Fund’s equity securities will also likely decline.  Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

Convertible and Other Hybrid Securities Risk. Convertible and other hybrid securities (including preferred and convertible instruments) generally possess certain characteristics of both equity and debt securities.  In addition to risks associated with investing in income securities, such as interest rate and credit risks, hybrid securities may be subject to issuer-specific and market risks generally applicable to equity securities. Convertible securities may also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to equity investing and market risks. A convertible security may be converted at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds45Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



 

Preferred Stock Risk.  Although preferred stocks represent an ownership interest in an issuer, preferred stocks generally do not have voting rights or have limited voting rights and have economic characteristics similar to fixed-income securities.  Preferred stocks are subject to issuer-specific risks generally applicable to equity securities and credit and interest rate risks generally applicable to fixed-income securities.  The value of preferred stock generally declines when interest rates rise and may react more significantly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.

Geographic Risk.  Because the Fund may invest significantly in a particular geographic region or country, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region or country and may fluctuate more than that of a fund that invests more broadly.

Risks of Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement, recovery of the repurchase price owed to the Fund or, in the case of a reverse repurchase agreement, the securities sold by the Fund, may be delayed. In a repurchase agreement, such insolvency may result in a loss to the extent that the value of the purchased securities decreases during the delay or that value has otherwise not been maintained at an amount equal to the repurchase price. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the counterparty’s insolvency may result in a loss equal to the amount by which the value of the securities sold by the Fund exceeds the repurchase price payable by the Fund; if the value of the purchased securities increases during such a delay, that loss may also be increased. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities sold to the counterparty or the securities which the Fund purchases with its proceeds from the agreement would affect the value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such agreements may increase fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Because reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a form of borrowing by the Fund (and a loan from the counterparty), they create leverage. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement at a rate lower than the cost of the agreement, entering into the agreement will lower the Fund’s yield.

Borrowing Risk. Borrowing cash to increase investments (sometimes referred to as “leverage”) may exaggerate the effect on the Fund’s net asset value of any increase or decrease in the value of the security purchased with the borrowing. There can be no assurance that the use of borrowings will be successful. In connection with its borrowings, the Fund will be required to maintain specified asset coverage with respect to such borrowings by applicable federal securities laws and the terms of its credit facility with the lender. The Fund may be required to dispose of portfolio investments on unfavorable terms if market fluctuations or other factors cause the required asset coverage to be less than the prescribed amount. Borrowings involve additional expense to the Fund.

Short Sale Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed security. Short sale risks include, among others, the potential loss of more money than the actual cost of the investment, and the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Risk.  Securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis are subject to the risk that when delivered they will be worth less than the agreed upon payment price.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Although certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.  U.S. Treasury securities generally have a lower return than other obligations because of their higher credit quality and market liquidity.  

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a fund that is “diversified.” Non-diversified funds may focus their investments in a small number of issuers, making them more susceptible to risks affecting such issuers than a more diversified fund might be, and the value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.

Management Risk.  The success of the Fund's investment strategy depends on portfolio management's successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment.  Active management involves subjective decisions.  The Fund may utilize systematic investment processes to seek to take advantage of certain quantitative and behavioral market characteristics identified by the investment adviser.  A systematic investment process is dependent on the investment adviser's skill in developing and maintaining that process.

General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is not suited for short-term trading, and investors in the Fund should be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value over time.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds46Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



achieve its investment objective(s).  In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund.  The Fund relies on various service providers, including the investment adviser and sub-adviser, if applicable, in its operations and is susceptible to operational, information security and related events (such as public health crises, cyber or hacking attacks) that may affect the service providers or the services that they provide to the Fund.  An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad-based securities market index average. The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance (both before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.

PictureCalendar year-by-year total return (Class A)

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Year Total Return

0.36%

4.34%

-0.81%

5.54%

4.90%

-2.67%

9.32%

7.52%

1.33%

-2.55%

For the ten years ended December 31, 2022, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 10.09% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and the lowest quarterly total return was -7.39% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  

Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2022

One Year

Five Years

Ten Years

Class A Return Before Taxes

-5.72%

1.79%

2.32%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions

-7.63%

0.03%

0.54%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Class A Shares

-3.24%

0.65%

1.01%

Class C Return Before Taxes

-4.23%

1.73%

2.03%

Class I Return Before Taxes

-2.32%

2.72%

2.91%

Class R Return Before Taxes

-2.78%

2.21%

2.39%

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

-13.01%

0.02%

1.06%

These returns reflect the current maximum sales charge for Class A (3.25%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class C.  Effective November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. The average annual total returns listed for Class C reflect conversion to Class A shares after eight years. Prior to November 5, 2020, Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares ten years after purchase. Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return Before Taxes and/or Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds47Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Management

Investment Adviser.  Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”).

Portfolio Managers

Justin Bourgette, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has managed the Fund since November 2019.

Brian Shaw, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has managed the Fund since November 2019.

Eric A. Stein, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has managed the Fund since December 2009.

Andrew Szczurowski, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has managed the Fund since November 2013.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.  You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or (except for purchases of Class C shares by accounts with no specified financial intermediary) directly from a Fund either by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 534439, Pittsburgh, PA  15253-4439, or by calling 1-800-262-1122.  The minimum initial purchase or exchange into a Fund is $1,000 for each Class (with the exception of Class I) and $1,000,000 for Class I (waived in certain circumstances).  There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

For important information about taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” on page 45of this Prospectus.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds48Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Important Information Regarding Fund Shares

Tax Information

If your shares are held in a taxable account, each Fund’s distributions will be taxed to you as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are exempt from taxation.  If your shares are held in a tax-advantaged account, you will generally be taxed only upon withdrawals from the account.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase a Fund’s shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (collectively, “financial intermediaries”), the Fund, its principal underwriter and its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend a Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds49Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Investment Objectives & Principal Policies and Risks

The investment objective and principal investment policies and risks of each Fund are described in its Fund Summary.  Set forth below is additional information about such policies and risks, as well as information about other types of investments and practices in which each Fund may engage from time to time, unless otherwise noted.  Each Fund except Short Duration Strategic Income Fund seeks its objective by investing in a corresponding Portfolio.  Short Duration Strategic Income Fund seeks its objective by allocating its assets to other registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance and its affiliates.  References to the Fund below are to each Fund (other than Short Duration Strategic Income Fund) and its corresponding Portfolio.  With respect to Short Duration Strategic Income Fund, references to the Fund below are to Short Duration Strategic Income Fund and/or one or more of the Eaton Vance funds in which it may invest.  A listing of the Eaton Vance funds and their prospectuses may be found on the Eaton Vance website (www.eatonvance.com).  Short Duration Strategic Income Fund posts information about the allocation of its assets to the Eaton Vance website periodically.  See also “Strategies and Risks” in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms have the indicated meaning: “1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; “1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; and “investment adviser” means the Fund’s investment adviser but if the Fund is sub-advised, it refers to the sub-adviser(s) providing day-to-day management with respect to the investments or strategies discussed.

Foreign Investments.  Investments in foreign issuers could be affected by factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information, and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. Because foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standard practices and requirements and regulatory measures comparable to those in the United States, there may be less publicly available information about such foreign issuers.  Adverse changes in investment regulations, capital requirements or exchange controls could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.  Settlements of securities transactions in foreign countries are subject to risk of loss, may be delayed and are generally less frequent than in the United States, which could affect the liquidity of the Fund’s assets.  Evidence of ownership of certain foreign investments may be held outside the United States, and the Fund may be subject to the risks associated with the holding of such property overseas. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risk.

Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. Foreign issuers may become subject to sanctions imposed by the United States or another country against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, which could result in the immediate freeze of the foreign issuers’ assets or securities.  The imposition of such sanctions could impair the market value of the securities of such foreign issuers and limit the Fund’s ability to buy, sell, receive or deliver the securities. In addition, as a result of economic sanctions, the Fund may be forced to sell or otherwise dispose of investments at inopportune times or prices, which could result in losses to the Fund and increased transaction costs.  If a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund could also be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by other restrictions on investment. The risks posed by such actions with respect to a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets.

In some non-U.S. securities markets, custody arrangements for securities provide significantly less protection than custody arrangements in U.S. securities markets, and prevailing custody and trade settlement practices (e.g., the requirement to pay for securities prior to receipt) expose the Fund to credit and other risks it does not have in the United States.

The Fund needs a license to invest directly in securities traded in many non-U.S. securities markets. These licenses are often subject to limitations, including maximum investment amounts. Once a license is obtained, the Fund's ability to continue to invest directly is subject to the risk that the license may be terminated or suspended.  In some circumstances, the receipt of a non-U.S. license by one of Eaton Vance's clients may prevent the Fund from obtaining a similar license. In addition, certain activities could cause the suspension or revocation of the Fund's license.

Political events in foreign countries may cause market disruptions.  In June 2016, the United Kingdom (“UK”) voted in a referendum to leave the European Union (“EU”) (“Brexit”).  Effective January 31, 2020, the UK ceased to be a member of the EU and, following a transition period during which the EU and the UK Government engaged in a series of negotiations regarding the terms of the UK’s future relationship with the EU, the EU and the UK Government signed an agreement on December 30, 2020 regarding the economic relationship between the UK and the EU. This agreement became effective


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds50Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



on a provisional basis on January 1, 2021 and entered into full force on May 1, 2021. There remains significant market uncertainty regarding Brexit’s ramifications, and the range and potential implications of the possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes in the UK, EU and beyond are difficult to predict.  The end of the Brexit transition period may cause greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence, and an increased likelihood of a recession in the UK.  If one or more additional countries leave the EU or the EU dissolves, the world’s securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.  

As an alternative to holding foreign-traded investments, the Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated investments of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market including depositary receipts, such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), which evidence ownership of shares of a foreign issuer and are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, they continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include the political and economic risks of the underlying issuer’s country, as well as in the case of depositary receipts traded on foreign markets, currency risk.  Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored. Unsponsored depositary receipts are established without the participation of the issuer. As a result, available information concerning the issuer of an unsponsored depository receipt may not be as current as for sponsored depositary receipts, and the prices of unsponsored depositary receipts may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. Unsponsored depositary receipts may involve higher expenses, may not pass through voting or other shareholder rights and may be less liquid.

The Fund may invest in securities and other instruments (including loans) issued, guaranteed, or backed by sovereign or government entities.  Economic data as reported by sovereign or government entities and other issuers may be delayed, inaccurate or fraudulent. Many sovereign or government debt obligations may be rated below investment grade.  Any restructuring of a sovereign or government debt obligation held by the Fund will likely have a significant adverse effect on the value of the obligation.  In the event of default of a sovereign or government debt, the Fund may be unable to pursue legal action against the issuer or secure collateral on the debt, as there are typically no assets to be seized or cash flows to be attached. Furthermore, the willingness or ability of a sovereign or government entity to restructure defaulted debt may be limited. Therefore, losses on sovereign or government defaults may far exceed the losses from the default of a similarly rated U.S. corporate debt issuer.

Foreign Currencies. The value of foreign assets and currencies as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency rates and exchange control regulations, application of foreign tax laws (including withholding tax), governmental administration of economic or monetary policies (in this country or abroad), and relations between nations and trading.  Foreign currencies also are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks. Currency exchange rates can be affected unpredictably by intervention, or the failure to intervene, by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.  If the U.S. dollar rises in value relative to a foreign currency, a security denominated in that foreign currency will be worth less in U.S. dollars. If the U.S. dollar decreases in value relative to a foreign currency, a security denominated in that foreign currency will be worth more in U.S. dollars.  A devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority will have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency.  Costs are incurred in connection with conversions between currencies.

The Fund may engage in spot transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts, purchase and sell options on currencies and purchase and sell currency futures contracts and related options thereon (collectively, “Currency Instruments”) to seek to hedge against the decline in the value of currencies in which its portfolio holdings are denominated against the U.S. dollar or to seek to enhance returns.

Emerging Markets Investments. The risks of foreign investments can be more significant in emerging markets, which include frontier markets. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s principal investment strategies, an emerging market country is any country determined by the investment adviser to have an emerging market economy, considering factors such as the country’s political and economic stability, and the development of its financial and capital markets. Emerging markets may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in the developed markets of the world. Political and economic structures in emerging market countries generally lack the social, political and economic stability of developed countries, which may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in these countries and also the ability of the Fund to access markets in such countries. Securities markets within emerging market countries may experience low or non-existent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities, as compared to securities of comparable issuers in more developed capital markets. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in emerging market countries, which also may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. In particular, trade disputes may result in governmental actions that could have an adverse effect on investments in emerging market countries, including but not limited to restrictions on investments in, or required divestment of, particular issuers or industries. Such actions may effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund's ability


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds51Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



to purchase or sell investments in emerging market countries, and thus may make them less liquid or more difficult to value, or may force the Fund to sell or otherwise dispose of such investments at inopportune times or prices.  There may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. The laws of emerging market countries relating to the limited liability of corporate shareholders, fiduciary duties of officers and directors, and bankruptcy of state enterprises are generally less developed than or different from such laws in the United States. It may be more difficult to make a claim or obtain a judgment in the courts of these countries than it is in the United States. In addition, due to jurisdictional limitations, U.S. authorities (e.g., SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice) may be limited in their ability to enforce regulatory or legal obligations in emerging market countries. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by an issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists in some emerging markets. The prices at which investments may be acquired may be affected by trading by persons with information that is not publicly available and by securities transactions by brokers in anticipation of transactions in particular securities. Disruptions due to work stoppages and trading improprieties in foreign securities markets have caused such markets to close. If extended closings were to occur in stock markets where the Fund is heavily invested, the Fund’s ability to redeem Fund shares could become impaired. In such circumstances, the Fund may have to sell more liquid securities than it would otherwise choose to sell.  Emerging market securities are also subject to speculative trading, which contributes to their volatility.  These foregoing risks may be even greater in frontier markets.

Sukuk. The Fund may invest in Sukuk, which are foreign or emerging market securities based on Islamic principles. Sukuk are securities with cash flows similar to conventional bonds, issued by an issuer, which is usually a special purpose vehicle incorporated by the sovereign or corporate entity seeking financing, to obtain an upfront payment in exchange for an income stream and a future promise to return capital. 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 or distributions 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 Sukuk. For Sukuk linked to a tangible asset, the Fund will not have a direct interest in, or recourse to, the underlying asset or pool of assets. Sukuk involve many of the same risks that conventional bonds incur, such as credit risk and interest rate risk, as well as the risks associated with foreign or emerging market securities. In addition to these risks, there are certain risks specific to Sukuk, such as those relating to their structures.

Frontier Market Investments. Because frontier markets are among the smallest, least mature and least liquid markets, investments in frontier markets generally are subject to a greater risk of loss than investments in developed markets or emerging markets.  Frontier market countries may have unstable governments that could have substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector, including by restricting foreign investment. Many frontier market countries may be dependent upon commodities, global trade or foreign aid and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. The economies of frontier countries may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and may suffer from extreme debt burdens or volatile inflation rates. The actions of a relatively few major investors in these markets are more likely to result in significant changes in local prices and the value of investments there.  The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise in one or more frontier market countries as a result of which trading of securities may cease or may be substantially curtailed and prices for investments in such markets may not be readily available.  Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in frontier market countries generally are more expensive than those relating to investment in more developed markets.

Investments in the China Region. Economies  of countries in the China region differ from the U.S. economy in various ways, such as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, interest rates, rate of growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. As export-driven economies, the economies of countries in the China region are affected by developments in the economies and government actions of their principal trading partners, such as the imposition of trading restrictions.  Although larger and/or more established than many emerging markets, markets in the China region carry the high levels of risk associated with emerging markets including, among others, greater political, economic and social instability, market volatility caused by potential regional or territorial conflicts or natural disasters (such as monsoons), and price volatility and a lack of liquidity in securities. Accounting, auditing, financial, and other reporting standards, practices and disclosure requirements in China are different, sometimes in fundamental ways, from those in the United States and certain Western European countries.  For example, financial reporting for companies domiciled in China does not have as much regulatory oversight as reporting for companies in the United States.  Consequently, investments in the China region are subject to the risk of confiscatory taxation, nationalization or expropriation of assets, potentially frequent changes in the law, and imperfect information.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds52Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



China’s governmental actions and the actions of other governments can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in the China region, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of investments. The Chinese central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership and actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. For example, the Chinese government may restrict investment in companies or industries considered important to national interests, or intervene in the financial markets, such as by imposing trading restrictions, or banning or curtailing short selling. In addition, the Chinese government has from time to time taken actions that influence the prices at which certain goods may be sold, encourage companies to invest or concentrate in particular industries, induce mergers between companies in certain industries and induce private companies to publicly offer their securities to increase or continue the rate of economic growth, control the rate of inflation or otherwise regulate economic expansion. It may do so in the future as well, potentially having a significant adverse effect on economic conditions in the China region.  

The Chinese government also maintains strict currency controls and imposes repatriation restrictions in order to achieve economic, trade and political objectives and regularly intervenes in the currency market. The imposition of currency controls and repatriation restrictions may negatively impact the performance and liquidity of the Fund as capital may become trapped in the China region. Chinese yuan currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably.  Although the Chinese government has begun to institute legal and economic reform policies, there can be no assurances that it will continue to pursue such policies or, if it does, that such policies will succeed.

The Chinese securities markets are emerging markets characterized by greater price volatility relative to U.S. markets. Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund may invest in A-shares.  Liquidity risks may be more pronounced for the A-share market than for Chinese securities markets generally because the A-share markets generally because the A-share market is subject to greater government restrictions and control.  The A-share market is generally volatile, and the risks of investing include possible government intervention, as well as the risk that securities on the A-share market may be suspended from trading without an indication of how long the suspension will last, which may impair the liquidity of such securities. Price fluctuations of A-shares are limited per trading day. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The China region is highly dependent upon trading with key partners, including the U.S., and export growth continues to play a major role in China’s economic growth. Increasing trade tensions, particularly regarding tariffs and trading arrangements between the U.S. and China has may result in additional tariffs or other actions that could have an adverse effect on an investment in the China region, including but not limited to restrictions on investments in certain Chinese companies. Reductions in spending on Chinese products or increased tariffs on trade activity between China and the U.S. and other key trading partners could have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy and Chinese investments. Moreover, a slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. In addition, as demonstrated by protests in recent years over Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous political structure and economic and legal freedoms, Hong Kong’s evolving relationship with the central government in Beijing has been a source of political unrest and may result in economic disruption.

B-Shares Risk.  Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund may invest in the China B-share market. The  China B-share market is generally smaller, less liquid and has a smaller issuer base than the China A-share market. The issuers that compose the B-share market include a broad range of companies, including companies with large, medium and small capitalizations. Further, the B-shares market may behave very differently from other portions of the Chinese equity markets, and there may be little to no correlation between the performance of the two.

H-Shares Risk.  Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund may invest in H-shares. H-shares are foreign securities which, in addition to the risks described herein, are subject to the risk that the Hong Kong stock market may behave very differently from the mainland Chinese stock market. There may be little to no correlation between the performance of the Hong Kong stock market and the mainland Chinese stock market.

Red Chip Companies Risk.  Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund may invest in Red Chip companies. Red Chip shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and may also be traded by foreigners. Because Red Chip companies are substantially controlled by various Chinese governmental authorities, investing in Red Chips involves risks that political changes, social instability, regulatory uncertainty, adverse diplomatic developments, asset expropriation or nationalization, or confiscatory taxation could adversely affect the performance of Red Chip companies. Red Chip companies may be less efficiently run and less profitable than other companies.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds53Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Risks of Investing through Stock Connect.  Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund may invest in A-shares listed and traded through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs (“Stock Connect”), which allow non-Chinese investors (such as the Fund) to purchase certain listed equities via brokers in Hong Kong, Stock Connect, or on such other stock exchanges in China that participate in Stock Connect from time to time. Trading through Stock Connect is subject to a number of restrictions that may affect the Fund’s investments and returns. Moreover, Stock Connect A-shares generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through Stock Connect in accordance with applicable rules. The Stock Connect program is a relatively new program and may be subject to further interpretation and guidance. There can be no assurance as to the program’s continued existence or whether future developments regarding the program may restrict or adversely affect the Fund’s investments or returns.

Variable Interest Entities.  Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund may gain economic exposure to certain operating companies in China through legal structures known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). From time to time, a Fund’s investments in U.S.-listed shell companies relying on VIE structures to consolidate China-based operations may be significant. In a VIE structure, a China-based operating company (“Operating Company”) typically establishes an offshore shell company (“Shell Company”) in another jurisdiction, such as the Cayman Islands, which then enters into service and other contracts with the Operating Company and issues shares on a foreign exchange, like the New York Stock Exchange or Hong Kong Exchange. Investors in VIEs hold stock in the Shell Company rather than directly in the Operating Company and the Shell Company may not own stock or other equity in the Operating Company. Certain Chinese companies have used VIEs to facilitate foreign investment because of Chinese governmental prohibitions or restrictions on non-Chinese ownership (e.g., by U.S. persons and entities such as the Funds) of companies in certain industries in China. Through a VIE arrangement, the Operating Companies indirectly raise capital from U.S. investors without distributing ownership of the Operating Companies to U.S. investors.

Investments in VIEs are subject to risks in addition to those generally associated with investments in China. For example, breaches of the contractual arrangements, changes in Chinese law with respect to enforceability or permissibility of these arrangements or failure of these contracts to function as intended would likely adversely affect an investment in a VIE. In addition, VIEs are also subject to the risk of inconsistent and unpredictable application of Chinese law, that the Shell Company may lose control over the Operating Company and that the equity owners of the Operating Company may have interests conflicting with those of the Shell Company’s investors. There is also uncertainty related to the Chinese taxation of VIEs and the Chinese tax authorities may take positions which result in increased tax liabilities. Thus, investors, such as the Funds, face risks and uncertainty about future actions or intervention by the government of China at any time and without notice that could suddenly and significantly affect VIEs and the enforceability of the Shell Company’s contractual arrangements with the Operating Company. If these risks materialize, the value of investments in VIEs could be significantly adversely affected and a Fund could incur significant losses with no recourse available.

Fixed-Income Securities and Other Debt Instruments.   Fixed-income securities and other debt instruments include all types of fixed and floating-rate bonds and notes, such as convertible securities and other hybrid securities (other than preferred stock); corporate commercial paper; mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities; inflation-indexed bonds issued by both governments and corporations; structured notes, including “indexed” securities; loans; loan participations and assignments; delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities; and bank certificates of deposit, fixed time deposits, bank deposits (or investments structured to provide the same type of exposure) and bankers’ acceptances of foreign and domestic banks and other debt instruments. Fixed-income securities and other debt instruments are issued by: foreign governments or their subdivisions, agencies and government-sponsored enterprises; sovereign entities; international agencies or supranational entities; the U.S. Government, its agencies or government-sponsored enterprises (or guaranteed thereby); central or quasi-sovereign banks and U.S. and foreign corporations.  Fixed-income securities and other debt instruments include deep discount bonds, such as zero coupon bonds, deferred interest bonds, bonds or securities on which the interest is payable in-kind (“PIK securities”), which are debt obligations that are issued at a significant discount from face value, and securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. While zero coupon bonds do not make periodic payments of interest, deferred interest bonds provide for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins. PIK securities provide that the issuer thereof may, at its option, pay interest in cash or in the form of additional securities.  The market price of a fixed-income investment can decline due to market-related factors, including rising interest rates and widening credit spreads, rising inflation, or decreased liquidity due to, for example, market uncertainty about the value of a fixed-income investment (or class of fixed income investments).

Credit Risk.  Investments in debt instruments are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds54Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates. In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.  See “Lower Rated Investments.” The Fund is also exposed to credit risk when it engages in certain types of derivatives transactions and when it engages in transactions that expose the Fund to counterparty risk. See “Derivatives.”

In evaluating the quality of a particular instrument, the investment adviser (or sub-adviser, if applicable) may take into consideration, among other things, a credit rating assigned by a credit rating agency, the issuer’s financial resources and operating history, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the ability of its management, its debt maturity schedules and borrowing requirements, and relative values based on anticipated cash flow, interest and asset coverage, and earnings prospects. Credit rating agencies are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of certain investments. Credit ratings issued by rating agencies are based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the issuer’s financial condition and the rating agency’s credit analysis, if applicable, at the time of rating. As such, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition. The ratings assigned are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not evaluate market risks or necessarily reflect the issuer’s current financial condition or the volatility or liquidity of the security.

For purposes of determining compliance with the Fund’s credit quality restrictions, if any, the Fund’s investment adviser (or sub-adviser, if applicable) relies primarily on the ratings assigned by credit rating agencies but may, in the case of unrated instruments, perform its own credit and investment analysis to determine an instrument’s credit quality.  A credit rating may have a modifier (such as plus, minus or a numerical modifier) to denote its relative status within the rating. The presence of a modifier does not change the security credit rating (for example, BBB- and Baa3 are within the investment grade rating) for purposes of the Fund’s investment limitations.  If an instrument is rated differently by two or more rating agencies, the highest rating will be used for any Fund rating restrictions.

Interest Rate Risk.  In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise.  Generally, securities with longer durations or maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations or maturities, causing them to be more volatile.  Conversely, fixed-income securities with shorter durations or maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower returns than fixed-income securities with longer durations or maturities.  In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended.  In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate. Short Duration Strategic Income Fund may own individual investments that have longer durations than the average duration of Short Duration Strategic Income Fund. The impact of interest rate changes on the value of floating-rate instruments is typically reduced by periodic interest rate resets. Variable and floating-rate loans and securities generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much or as quickly as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating-rate loans and securities generally will not increase in value as much as fixed rate debt instruments if interest rates decline. Because the Fund holds variable and floating-rate loans and securities, a decrease in market interest rates will reduce the interest income to be received from such securities. In the event that the Fund has a negative average portfolio duration, the value of the Fund may decline in a declining interest rate environment. Certain countries and regulatory bodies may use negative interest rates as a monetary policy tool to encourage economic growth during periods of deflation. In a 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.  Changes in governmental policy, including changes in central bank monetary policy, could cause interest rates to rise rapidly, or cause investors to expect a rapid rise in interest rates. This could lead to heightened levels of interest rate, volatility and liquidity risks for the fixed income markets generally and could have a substantial and immediate effect on the values of the Fund's investments.

LIBOR.  The London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR is the average offered rate for various maturities of short-term loans between major international banks who are members of the British Bankers Association.  It is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements.  In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), the United Kingdom financial regulatory body, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021, and is expected to cease publishing the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. Many market participants are in the process of transitioning to the use of alternative reference or benchmark rates.

On September 29, 2021 the FCA announced that it will compel the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (the “IBA”) to publish a subset of non-U.S. LIBOR maturities after December 31, 2021 using a “synthetic” methodology that is not based


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds55Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



on panel bank contributions and has indicated that it may also require IBA to publish a subset of U.S. LIBOR maturities after June 30, 2023, using a similar synthetic methodology. However, these synthetic publications are expected to be published for a limited period of time and would be considered non-representative of the underlying market.

Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, the impact on certain debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR remains uncertain.  The transition process may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR. The transition may also result in a change in (i) the value of certain instruments held by the Fund, (ii) the cost of temporary borrowing for the Fund, or (iii) the effectiveness of related Fund transactions such as hedges, as applicable.

Various financial industry groups are planning for the transition away from LIBOR, but there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark. In June 2017, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a group of large U.S. banks working with the Federal Reserve, announced its selection of a new Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is intended to be a broad measure of secured overnight U.S. Treasury repo rates, as an appropriate replacement for LIBOR. Bank working groups and regulators in other countries have suggested other alternatives for their markets, including the Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate (“SONIA”) in England. Both SOFR and SONIA, as well as certain other proposed replacement rates, are materially different from LIBOR, and changes in the applicable spread for financial instruments transitioning away from LIBOR need to be made to accommodate the differences. Liquid markets for newly-issued instruments that use an alternative reference rate are still developing. Consequently, there may be challenges for a Fund to enter into hedging transactions against instruments tied to alternative reference rates until a market for such hedging transactions develops.

Additionally, while some existing LIBOR-based instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by providing for an alternative or “fallback” rate-setting methodology, there may be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such alternative methodologies to replicate LIBOR. Not all existing LIBOR-based instruments have such fallback provisions, and many that do, do not contemplate the permanent cessation of LIBOR. While it is expected that market participants will amend legacy financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions to alternative reference rates, there remains uncertainty regarding the willingness and ability of parties to add or amend such fallback provisions in legacy instruments maturing after the end of 2021, particularly with respect to legacy cash products.  Although there are ongoing efforts among certain government entities and other organizations to address these uncertainties, the ultimate effectiveness of such efforts is not yet known.

Any effects of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to the Fund, and such effects may occur prior to the discontinuation of the remaining LIBOR settings in 2023. Furthermore, the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR and transition to replacement rates may be exacerbated if an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner.

Lower Rated Investments.  Investments in obligations rated below investment grade and comparable unrated securities (sometimes referred to as “junk”) generally entail greater economic, credit and liquidity risks than investment grade securities.  Lower rated investments have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers.  Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments.  An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs.  Lower rated investments generally are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments. Lower rated investments are considered primarily speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

Because of the greater number of investment considerations involved in investing in investments that receive lower ratings, investing in lower rated investments depends more on the investment adviser’s judgment and analytical abilities than may be the case for investing in investments with higher ratings.  While the investment adviser will attempt to reduce the risks of investing in lower rated or unrated securities through, among other things, active portfolio management, credit analysis and attention to current developments and trends in the economy and the financial markets, there can be no assurance that the investment adviser will be successful in doing so.

Absolute Return Strategy.  The Fund employs an “absolute return” investment approach.  A fund that employs an absolute return strategy typically benchmarks itself to an index of cash instruments and seeks to achieve returns that are largely independent of broad movements in stocks and bonds. Unlike equity funds, such fund should not be expected to benefit from general equity market returns.  Different from fixed income funds, such fund may not generate current income and should not be expected to experience price appreciation as interest rates decline.  Although the Fund‘s investment adviser seeks to maximize absolute return, the Fund may not generate positive returns and may suffer losses.  The foregoing applies to Global Macro Absolute Return Fund, Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund, and Short


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds56Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Duration Strategic Income Fund, which may invest in each of Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund.

Derivatives. Generally, derivatives can be characterized as financial instruments whose performance is derived at least in part from the performance of an underlying reference instrument.  Derivative instruments may be acquired in the United States or abroad consistent with the Fund’s investment strategy and may include the various types of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) instruments described herein and other instruments with substantially similar characteristics and risks.  Fund obligations created pursuant to derivative instruments may give rise to leverage, which may subject the Fund to heightened risk of loss.  The Fund may invest in a derivative transaction if it is permitted to own, invest in, or otherwise have economic exposure to the reference instrument.  Depending on the type of derivative instrument and the Fund’s investment strategy, a reference instrument could be a security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event (“reference instruments”).

Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks, including adverse or unexpected movements in the price of the reference instrument, and counterparty, liquidity, market, tax and leverage risks.  Certain derivatives may also be subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.  In addition, derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates, indices or instruments they are designed to hedge or closely track.  Use of derivative instruments may cause the realization of higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if such instruments had not been used. Success in using derivative instruments to hedge portfolio assets depends on the degree of price correlation between the derivative instruments and the hedged asset.  Imperfect correlation may be caused by several factors, including temporary price disparities among the trading markets for the derivative instrument, the reference instrument and the Fund’s assets.  To the extent that a derivative instrument is intended to hedge against an event that does not occur, the Fund may realize losses.

OTC derivative instruments involve an additional risk in that the issuer or counterparty may fail to perform its contractual obligations. Some derivative instruments are not readily marketable or may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, an option or commodity exchange or swap execution facility or clearinghouse may suspend or limit trading in an exchange-traded derivative instrument, which may make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the closing out of positions to limit losses.  The ability to terminate OTC derivative instruments may depend on the cooperation of the counterparties to such contracts. For thinly traded derivative instruments, the only source of price quotations may be the selling dealer or counterparty. In addition, certain provisions of the Code limit the use of derivative instruments.   Derivatives permit the Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is exposed in much the same way as the Fund can increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making investments in specific securities.  There can be no assurance that the use of derivative instruments will benefit the Fund.

The U.S. and non-U.S. derivatives markets have undergone substantial changes in recent years as a result of changes under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and regulatory changes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions.  In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations require many derivatives to be margined and/or cleared and traded on an exchange, expand entity registration requirements, impose business conduct requirements on counterparties, and impose other regulatory requirements that will continue to change derivatives markets as regulations are implemented. The SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which applies to the Fund’s use of derivative investments and certain financing transactions. Among other things, Rule 18f-4 requires certain funds that invest in derivative instruments beyond a specified limited amount (generally greater than 10% of a Fund's net assets) to apply a value-at-risk based limit to their use of certain derivative instruments and financing transactions and to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program. To the extent a Fund uses derivative instruments (excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions) in a limited amount (up to 10% of a Fund's net assets), it will not be subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4. In addition, to the extent that the Fund enters into reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions, the Fund may elect to either treat all of its reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions as derivatives transactions for purposes of Rule 18f-4 or comply (with respect to reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions) with the asset segregation requirements under Section 18 of the 1940 Act.  The implementation of these requirements or additional future regulation of the derivatives markets may make the use of derivatives more costly, may limit the availability or reduce the liquidity of derivatives, and may impose limits or restrictions on the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions.  Fund management cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented, and there can be no assurance that any new government regulation will not adversely affect the Fund’s performance or ability to achieve its investment objective(s).


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds57Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Options.  Options may be traded on an exchange and OTC. By buying a put option on a particular instrument, the Fund acquires a right to sell the underlying instrument at the exercise price.  By buying a put option on an index, the Fund acquires a right to receive the cash difference between the strike price of the option and the index price at expiration. A purchased put position also typically can be sold at any time by selling at prevailing market prices.  Purchased put options generally are expected to limit the Fund's risk of loss through a decline in the market value of the underlying security or index until the put option expires.  When buying a put option, the Fund pays a premium to the seller of the option.  If the price of the underlying security or index is above the exercise price of the option as of the option valuation date, the option expires worthless and the Fund will not be able to recover the option premium paid to the seller.  The Fund may purchase uncovered put options on securities, meaning it will not own the securities underlying the option.  

The Fund may also write (i.e., sell) put options. The Fund will receive a premium for selling a put option, which may increase the Fund's return. In selling a put option on a security, the Fund has the obligation to buy the security at an agreed upon price if the price of such instrument decreases below the exercise price.  By selling a put option on an index, the Fund has an obligation to make a payment to the buyer to the extent that the value of the index decreases below the exercise price as of the option valuation date.  If the value of the underlying security or index on the option’s expiration date is above the exercise price, the option will generally expire worthless and the Fund, as option seller, will have no obligation to the option holder.

The Fund may purchase call options.  By purchasing a call option on a security, the Fund has the right to buy the security at the option’s exercise price.  By buying a call option on an index, the Fund acquires the right to receive the cash difference between the market price of the index and strike price at expiration.  Call options typically can be exercised any time prior to option maturity or, sold at the prevailing market price.  

The Fund may also write (i.e., sell) a call option on a security or index in return for a premium.  A call written on a security obligates the Fund to deliver the underlying security at the option exercise price.  Written index call options obligate the Fund to make a cash payment to the buyer at expiration if the market price of the index is above the option strike price. Calls typically can also be bought back by the Fund at prevailing market prices and the Fund also may enter into closing purchase transactions with respect to written call options.

The Fund’s options positions are marked to market daily.  The value of options is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of their underlying instruments, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the relevant index or market and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market.  The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying instruments are traded.  To the extent that the options markets close before markets for the underlying instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the markets that would not be reflected concurrently in the options markets.

The Fund's ability to sell the instrument underlying a call option may be limited while the option is in effect unless the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. Uncovered call options have speculative characteristics and are riskier than covered call options because there is no underlying instrument held by the Fund that can act as a partial hedge.  As the seller of a covered call option or an index call option, the Fund may forego, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying instrument covering the call option above the sum of the premium received by the Fund and the exercise price of the call.  The Fund also retains the risk of loss, minus the option premium received, should the price of the underlying instrument decline.

Participants in OTC markets are typically not subject to the same credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as are members of “exchange-based” markets. OTC option contracts generally carry greater liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts. This risk may be increased in times of financial stress, if the trading market for OTC options becomes restricted. The ability of the Fund to transact business with any one or a number of counterparties may increase the potential for losses to the Fund, due to the lack of any independent evaluation of the counterparties or their financial capabilities, and the absence of a regulated market to facilitate settlement of the options.

Put option spreads involve purchasing put options at a specific strike price while also selling the same number of puts at a lower strike price.  By doing so, the Fund can lower the net cost of its market hedging activities, since the premiums received from selling put options will offset, in part, the premiums paid to purchase the put options.  Although less expensive than buying a standalone put option, buying a put option spread will expose the Fund to incremental loss if the value of the applicable instrument at contract expiration is below the exercise price of the put option sold.

Swaptions.  Swaptions are options giving the option owner the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a swap agreement as buyer or seller, or to extend, shorten, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at a future date on specified terms.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds58Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Depending on the terms of the particular swaption, the Fund generally will incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When the Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. When the Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option, the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying swap agreement.

Credit Options.  Credit options are options whereby the purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a transaction involving either an asset with inherent credit risk or a credit derivative at terms specified at the inception of the option.  

Futures Contracts. Futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts. Futures contracts on securities obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of the financial instrument called for in the contract at a specified future date at a specified price. An index futures contract obligates the purchaser to take, and a seller to deliver, an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. No physical delivery of the underlying securities in the index is made. It is the practice of holders of futures contracts to close out their positions on or before the expiration date by use of offsetting contract positions, and physical delivery of financial instruments or delivery of cash, as applicable, is thereby avoided.  An option on a futures contract gives the holder the right to enter into a specified futures contract.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract (“currency forward”) involves 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 agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts may be bought or sold to protect against an adverse change in the relationship between currencies or to increase exposure to a particular foreign currency.  

Certain currency forwards may be individually negotiated and privately traded, exposing them to credit and counterparty risks. The precise matching of the currency forward amounts and the value of the instruments denominated in the corresponding currencies 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 date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. There is additional risk that the use of currency forwards may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken and that currency forwards may create exposure to currencies in which the Fund’s securities are not denominated. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge against long-term currency changes. Currency forwards are subject to the risk of political and economic factors applicable to the countries issuing the underlying currencies. Furthermore, unlike trading in most other types of instruments, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to the foreign currencies underlying currency forwards. As a result, available information may not be complete.

Some currency forwards may be classified as non-deliverable forwards (“NDFs”). NDFs are cash-settled, forward contracts that may be thinly traded. NDFs are commonly quoted for time periods of one month up to two years, and are normally quoted and settled in U.S. dollars, but may be settled in other currencies. They are often used to gain exposure to or hedge exposure to foreign currencies that are not internationally traded.  NDFs may also be used to gain or hedge exposure to gold.

Cross-hedging may be done by using currency forwards in one currency (or basket of currencies) to hedge against fluctuations in the value of instruments denominated in a different currency (or the basket of currencies and the underlying currency). Use of a different foreign currency (for hedging or non-hedging purposes) magnifies exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Commodity-Linked Notes.  A or unleveraged commodity-linked notes, or “structured notes,” are derivative instruments the interest rate or principal of which is linked to the performance of a commodity index or indices, the value of particular commodities or commodity futures contracts, or a subset of commodities and commodities futures contracts. The terms of the instrument may be “structured” by the purchaser and the borrower issuing the note.   A portion of the value of these instruments may be derived from the value of the commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable.  Certain issuers of structured notes may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act.  As a result, the Fund’s investments in these products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.

The value of these structured notes will rise or fall in response to changes in the commodity index or indices, the value of particular commodities or commodity futures contracts, or a subset of commodities and commodities futures contracts. These notes expose the Fund to counterparty risk and economic movements in commodity prices. In addition, these notes are often leveraged, increasing the volatility of each note’s market value relative to changes in the commodity index, underlying commodity, or commodity futures contract.  The terms of commodity-linked notes


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds59Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity. Therefore, at the maturity of the note, the Fund may receive more or less principal than it originally invested. The Fund might receive interest payments on the note that are more or less than the stated coupon interest amounts.

Equity Swaps.  Equity swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective returns as calculated on a notional amount of an equity index (such as the S&P 500® Index), basket of equity securities, or individual equity security.

Interest Rate Swaps.  Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating-rate payments. Cross-currency swaps are interest rate swaps in which the notional amount upon which the fixed interest rate is accrued is denominated in another currency and the notional amount upon which the floating rate is accrued is denominated in another currency. The notional amounts are typically determined based on the spot exchange rate at the inception of the trade.

Credit Default Swaps.  Credit default swap agreements (“CDS”) enable the Fund to buy or sell credit protection on an individual issuer or basket of issuers (i.e., the reference instrument).  The Fund may enter into CDS to gain or short exposure to a reference instrument. Long CDS positions are utilized to gain exposure to a reference instrument (similar to buying the instrument) and are akin to selling insurance on the instrument. Short CDS positions are utilized to short exposure to a reference instrument (similar to shorting the instrument) and are akin to buying insurance on the instrument.  

Under a CDS, the protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference instrument has occurred.  If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the reference instrument in exchange for an equal face amount of the reference instrument described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled.  If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date.  As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event.  The Fund’s obligations under a CDS will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund).

In response to market events, federal and certain state regulators have proposed regulation of the CDS market. These regulations may limit the Fund’s ability to use CDS and/or the benefits of CDS. CDS may be difficult to value and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty). The Fund may have difficulty, be unable or may incur additional costs to acquire any securities or instruments it is required to deliver under a CDS.  The Fund may have limited ability to eliminate its exposure under a CDS either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement.  The Fund also may have limited ability to eliminate its exposure under a CDS if the reference instrument has declined in value.

Inflation Swaps.  Inflation swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest.  This can involve an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments based on a reference index (an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index) or an exchange of floating rate payments based on two different reference indices where one of the reference indices is an inflation index. Inflation swaps can be designated as zero coupon, where both sides of the swap compound interest over the life of the swap and then the accrued interest is paid in a lump sum at the swap’s maturity.

Total Return Swaps.  A total return swap is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of a reference instrument during the specified period, in return for periodic payments from the other party that are based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return of the reference instrument or another reference instrument.  Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market.

Equity-Linked Securities.  Equity-linked securities are primarily used as an alternative means to more efficiently and effectively access the securities markets of emerging market countries and may also be known as participation notes, equity swaps, and zero strike calls and warrants.  Equity-linked securities are privately issued securities whose investment results are designed to correspond generally to the performance of a specified stock index or “basket” of stocks, or sometimes a single stock.  The Fund deposits an amount of cash with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) in an amount near or equal to the selling price of the underlying security in exchange for an equity-linked security.  Upon sale, the Fund receives cash from the broker or custodian equal to the current value of the underlying security.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds60Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



In addition to the risks of the underlying security, there is the risk that the issuer of an equity-linked security may default on its obligation under the security.  In addition, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out such a transaction with the other party or obtain an offsetting position with any other party, at any time prior to the end of the term of the underlying agreement.  This may impair the Fund’s ability to enter into other transactions at a time when doing so might be advantageous.

Credit Linked Notes. A credit linked note (“CLN”) is a type of hybrid instrument in which a special purpose entity issues a structured note (the “note issuer”) with respect to which the reference instrument is a single bond, a portfolio of bonds or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (each a “reference credit”). The purchaser of the CLN (the “note purchaser”) invests a par amount and receives a payment during the term of the CLN that equals a fixed or floating rate of interest equivalent to a high rated funded asset (such as a bank certificate of deposit) plus an additional premium that relates to taking on the credit risk of the reference credit. Upon maturity of the CLN, the note purchaser will receive a payment equal to: (i) the original par amount paid to the note issuer, if there is no occurrence of a designated event of default, restructuring or other credit event (each a “credit event”) with respect to the issuer of the reference credit; or (ii) the market value of the reference credit, if a credit event has occurred. Depending upon the terms of the CLN, it is also possible that the note purchaser may be required to take physical delivery of the reference credit in the event of a credit event. Most CLNs use a corporate bond (or a portfolio of corporate bonds) as the reference credit. However, almost any type of fixed-income security (including foreign government securities), index or derivative contract (such as a credit default swap) can be used as the reference credit.

Forward Rate Agreements.  Under a forward rate agreement, the Fund locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the Fund pays the seller the difference between the two rates. If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the Fund the difference between the two rates. Any such gain received by the Fund would be taxable.  These instruments are traded in the OTC market.

Counterparty Risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the Fund does business (such as trading, securities lending or as a derivatives counterparty), or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any instruments that the Fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial condition and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause the value of Fund shares to decline or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the Fund. Counterparty risk is increased for contracts with longer maturities.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (“MBS”).  MBS represent participation interests in pools of adjustable and fixed-rate mortgage loans. MBS may be issued by the U.S. Government (or one of its agencies or instrumentalities) or privately issued but collateralized by mortgages that are insured, guaranteed or otherwise backed by the U.S. Government, or its agencies or instrumentalities. Adjustable rate mortgages are mortgages whose interest rates are periodically reset when market rates change. Unlike conventional debt obligations, MBS provide monthly payments derived from the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans.  

MBS include classes of collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), including fixed- or floating-rate tranches, real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) and various other MBS. In choosing among CMO classes, the investment adviser will evaluate the total income potential of each class and other factors.  

MBS issued by non-government entities are subject to the risks that the underlying mortgage borrowers fail to make timely payments of interest and principal and that any guarantee or other structural feature, if present, is insufficient to enable the timely payment of interest and principal on the MBS. Although certain MBS are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a government-sponsored entity, the market price for such securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.

The mortgage loans underlying MBS are generally subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment, although investment in seasoned MBS can mitigate this risk. Under certain interest and prepayment rate scenarios, the Fund may fail to recover the full amount of its investment in MBS, notwithstanding any direct or indirect governmental or agency guarantee.  Because faster than expected prepayments must usually be invested in lower yielding securities, MBS are less effective than conventional bonds in “locking in” a specified interest rate. For premium bonds, the risk of prepayment may be enhanced. In a rising interest rate environment, a declining prepayment rate will extend the average life of many MBS. This possibility is often referred to as extension risk. Extending the average life of a mortgage-backed security increases the risk of depreciation due to future increases in market interest rates. MBS that are purchased at a premium generate current income that exceeds market rates for comparable investments, but tend to decrease in value as they mature.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds61Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



CMOs are subject to the same types of risks affecting MBS as described above. CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms generally entail greater market and liquidity risks than other MBS. For example, their prices are more volatile and their trading market may be more limited. The structure of certain CMO interests held by the Fund may cause the Fund to be paid interest and/or principal on its investment only after holders of other interests in that particular CMO have received the full repayment of principal or interest on their investments.

Asset-Backed Securities.  Asset-backed securities represent interests in a pool of assets other than mortgages, such as home equity loans, automobile receivables or credit card receivables.  Most asset-backed securities involve consumer or commercial debts with maturities of less than 10 years.  However, almost any type of fixed-income asset (including other fixed-income securities) may be used to create an asset-backed security.  Asset-backed securities may take the form of commercial paper, notes or pass-through certificates.  A structured asset-backed security is a multiclass instrument that is typically backed by a pool of auto loans, credit card receivables, home equity loans or student loans.

Unscheduled prepayments of asset-backed securities may result in a loss of income if the proceeds are invested in lower-yielding securities.  Conversely, in a rising interest rate environment, a declining prepayment rate will extend the average life of many asset-backed securities, which increases the risk of depreciation due to future increases in market interest rates.  In addition, issuers of asset-backed securities may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements (if any) may be inadequate in the event of default.  Asset-backed securities may experience losses on the underlying assets as a result of certain rights provided to consumer debtors under federal and state law.  The value of asset-backed securities may be affected by the factors described above and other factors, such as interest rate risk, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the underlying assets or the entities providing credit enhancements and the ability of the servicer to service the underlying collateral.  The value of asset-backed securities representing interests in a pool of utilities receivables may be adversely affected by changes in government regulations.  Under certain market conditions, asset-backed securities may be less liquid and may be difficult to value. If a structured asset-backed security is subordinated to other classes backed by the same pool of collateral, the likelihood that it will make payments of principal may be substantially limited.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities.  Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real property, such as loans for hotels, shopping centers, office buildings and apartment buildings.  Generally, the interest and principal payments on these loans are passed on to investors in CMBS according to a schedule of payments.

CMBS are subject to the risks described under “Asset-Backed Securities” above. CMBS also are subject to many of the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans and are therefore different from the risks of other types of mortgage-backed securities. These risks reflect the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make loan payments, and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. CMBS may be less liquid and exhibit a greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.  The Fund's direct and indirect investments in CMBS will not exceed 25% of its net assets.  For the purposes of the Fund's industry concentration policy, CMBS will be categorized based on the underlying assets of the CMBS (retail, office, warehouse, multifamily, defeased collateral, etc.).

The commercial mortgage loans that underlie CMBS have certain distinct risk characteristics. Commercial mortgage loans generally lack standardized terms, which may complicate their structure, tend to have shorter maturities than residential mortgage loans and may not be fully amortizing. Commercial properties themselves tend to be unique and are more difficult to value than single-family residential properties. In addition, commercial properties, particularly industrial and warehouse properties, are subject to environmental risks and the burdens and costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Stripped Securities.  Stripped Securities (“Strips”) are usually structured with classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying asset or pool of assets. Some structures may have a class that receives only interest from the underlying assets, interest-only (“IO”) class, while another class may receive only principal, principal-only (“PO”) class.  IO and PO Strips may be purchased for their return and/or hedging characteristics. Because of their structure, IO Strips may move differently than typical fixed-income securities in relation to changes in interest rates.  In addition to Strips issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, Strips may also be issued by private originators or investors, including depository institutions, banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of these entities.

Strips are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates because these changes may impact the frequency of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets or pool of underlying assets.  While the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities may guarantee the full repayment of principal on Strips they issue, repayment of interest is guaranteed only while the underlying assets or pools of assets are outstanding. IO Strips tend to decrease in value if


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds62Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



prepayments are greater than anticipated and increase in value if prepayments are less than anticipated. Conversely, PO Strips tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are less than anticipated.  To the extent the Fund invests in Strips, rapid changes in the rate of prepayments may have a measurably adverse effect on the Fund’s performance.  In addition, the secondary market for Strips may be less liquid than that for other securities.

Loans.  Loans may be primary, direct investments or investments in loan assignments or participation interests.  A loan assignment represents a portion or the entirety of a loan and a portion or the entirety of a position previously attributable to a different lender. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement and has the same rights and obligations as the assigning investor.  However, assignments through private negotiations may cause the purchaser of an assignment to have different and more limited rights than those held by the assigning investor.  Loan participation interests are interests issued by a lender or other entity and represent a fractional interest in a loan. The Fund typically will have a contractual relationship only with the financial institution that issued the participation interest. As a result, the Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the financial institution and only upon receipt by such entity of such payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing a participation interest, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other investors through set-off against the borrower and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation interest. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the financial institution issuing the participation interest. In the event of the insolvency of the entity issuing a participation interest, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such entity.  Most loans are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, are of similar credit quality.

Loan investments may be made at par or at a discount or premium to par.  The interest payable on a loan may be fixed or floating rate, and paid in cash or in-kind.  In connection with transactions in loans, the Fund may be subject to facility or other fees.  Loans may be secured by specific collateral or other assets of the borrower, guaranteed by a third party, unsecured or subordinated.  During the term of a loan, the value of any collateral securing the loan may decline in value, causing the loan to be under collateralized. Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy fully a borrower’s obligations under the loan. In addition, if a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of the collateral and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of such collateral.

Certain loans (“senior loans”) hold a senior position in the capital structure of a business entity, are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debtholders and stockholders of the borrower. Junior loans may be secured or unsecured subordinated loans, second lien loans and subordinated bridge loans.  Floating-rate loans typically have rates of interest which are re-determined daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium.

A lender’s repayment and other rights primarily are determined by governing loan, assignment or participation documents, which (among other things) typically establish the priority of payment on the loan relative to other indebtedness and obligations of the borrower.  A borrower typically is required to comply with certain covenants contained in a loan agreement between the borrower and the holders of the loan.  The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, and the nature of the collateral securing the loan.  Loans with fewer covenants that restrict activities of the borrower may provide the borrower with more flexibility to take actions that may be detrimental to the loan holders and provide fewer investor protections in the event covenants are breached.  The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expense in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants.  Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. (including loans to sovereign entities) may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks.  In the event of bankruptcy, applicable law may impact a lender’s ability to enforce its rights.  Bankruptcy laws in foreign jurisdictions, including emerging markets, may differ significantly from U.S. bankruptcy law and the Fund’s rights with respect to a loan governed by the laws of a foreign jurisdiction may be more limited.  Sovereign entities may be unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under a loan due to budgetary limitations or economic or political changes within the country.

Loans may be originated by a lending agent, such as a financial institution or other entity, on behalf of a group or “syndicate” of loan investors (the “Loan Investors”).  In such a case, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement and is responsible for the collection of principal, and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the Loan Investors. Failure by the agent to fulfill its obligations may delay or adversely affect receipt of payment by the Fund. Furthermore, unless under the terms of a loan agreement or participation (as applicable) the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Fund must rely on the agent and the other Loan Investors to pursue appropriate remedies against the borrower.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds63Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Although the overall size and number of participants in the market for many loans has grown over the past decade, such loans continue to trade in a private, unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank secondary market and the amount of available public information about loans may be less extensive than that available for registered or exchange listed securities. With limited exceptions, the investment adviser will take steps intended to insure that it does not receive material nonpublic information about the issuers of loans that also issue publicly traded securities. Therefore, the investment adviser may have less information than other investors about certain of the loans in which it seeks to invest. Purchases and sales of loans are generally subject to contractual restrictions that must be satisfied before a loan can be bought or sold.  These restrictions may (i) impede the Fund’s ability to buy or sell loans, (ii) negatively impact the transaction price, (iii) impact the counterparty and/or credit risks borne by the Fund, (iv) impede the Fund’s ability to timely vote or otherwise act with respect to loans, (v) expose the Fund to adverse tax or regulatory consequences and/or (vi) result in delayed settlement of loan transactions.  It may take longer than seven days for a transaction in loans to settle, which may impact the Fund’s process for meeting redemptions.  See “Liquidity Risk.”  This is partly due to the nature or manner in which loans trade and the contractual restrictions noted above, which require a written assignment agreement and various ancillary documents for each transfer, and frequently require discretionary consents from both the borrower and the administrative agent.  In light of the foregoing, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow to meet its cash needs, including satisfying redemption requests.  

Assignments of loans through private negotiations may cause the purchaser of an assignment to have different and more limited rights than those held by the assigning investor.  In connection with purchasing a participation interest, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement.  In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan (if any) in which it has purchased the participation interest.  As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the financial institution issuing the participation interest. No active trading market may exist for certain loans, which may impair the ability of the Fund to realize full value in the event of the need to sell a loan and which may make it difficult to value the loan.  To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain loans, the market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.

In addition to the risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market, interest rate and liquidity risks, loans are also subject to the risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate.  The specific collateral used to secure a loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the loan’s value.  The Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency laws or by the type of loan the Fund has purchased.  For example, if the Fund purchases a participation instead of an assignment, it would not have direct access to collateral of the borrower.  As a result, a floating-rate loan may not be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value.  Additionally, collateral on loan instruments may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets will satisfy a borrower’s obligations under the investment.

Loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate a loan to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower, or take other action detrimental to the holders of a loan including, in certain circumstances, invalidating a loan or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower.  Any such actions by a court could negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Loans that are secured and senior to other debtholders of a borrower tend to have more favorable loss recovery rates as compared to more junior types of below investment grade debt obligations. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure and, in some cases, their unsecured status, junior loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior loans of the same borrower.

Investing in loans involves the risk of default by the borrower or other party obligated to repay the loan.  In the event of insolvency of the borrower or other obligated party, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such entity unless it has rights that are senior to that of other creditors or secured by specific collateral or assets of the borrower.  Fixed rate loans are also subject to the risk that their value will decline in a rising interest rate environment.  This risk is mitigated for floating-rate loans, where the interest rate payable on the loan resets periodically by reference to a base lending rate.

U.S. federal securities laws afford certain protections against fraud and misrepresentation in connection with the offering or sale of a security, as well as against manipulation of trading markets for securities. The typical practice of a lender in relying exclusively or primarily on reports from the borrower may involve the risk of fraud, misrepresentation, or market manipulation by the borrower. It is unclear whether U.S. federal securities law protections are available to an investment in a loan. In certain circumstances, loans may not be deemed to be securities, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower, lenders may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws. However, contractual provisions in the loan documents may offer some protections, and lenders may also avail themselves of common-law fraud protections under applicable state law.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds64Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Convertible Securities.  A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred security, or other security that entitles the holder to acquire common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer.  A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued or dividends paid until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged.  Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible income securities.  

Holders of convertible securities generally have a claim on the assets of the issuer prior to the common stockholders but may be subordinated to other debt securities of the same issuer. Certain convertible debt securities may provide a put option to the holder, which entitles the holder to cause the securities to be redeemed by the issuer at a premium over the stated principal amount of the debt securities under certain circumstances.  Certain convertible securities may include loss absorption characteristics that make the securities more debt-like.  This is particularly true of convertible securities issued by companies in the financial services sector.

The value of a convertible security may be influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument.

Hybrid Securities.  Hybrid securities generally possess certain characteristics of both equity and debt securities. These securities may at times behave more like equity than debt, or vice versa. Preferred stocks, convertible securities, trust preferred securities and certain debt obligations are types of hybrid securities.  The investment adviser has sole discretion to determine whether an investment has hybrid characteristics and generally will consider the instrument’s preference over the issuer’s common shares, the term of the instrument at the time of issuance, and/or the tax character of the instrument’s distributions.  Hybrid securities generally do not have voting rights or have limited voting rights. Hybrid securities may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price. Hybrid securities may pay a fixed or variable rate of interest or dividends. The prices and yields of nonconvertible hybrid securities generally move with changes in interest rates and the issuer’s credit quality, similar to the factors affecting debt securities. If the issuer of a hybrid security experiences financial difficulties, the value of such security may be adversely affected similar to the issuer’s outstanding common stock or subordinated debt instruments.

Because hybrid securities have both debt and equity characteristics, their values vary in response to many factors, including issuer-specific events, credit spreads and, for convertible securities, factors affecting the securities into which they convert.  Trust preferred securities are issued by a special purpose trust that holds the subordinated debt of a company and, as such, are subject to the risks associated with such debt obligation.

Preferred Stock.  Preferred stock is a class of equity security that pays a specified dividend that typically must be paid before any dividends can be paid to common stockholders and takes precedence over common stock in the event of the issuer’s liquidation.  Although preferred stocks represent an ownership interest in an issuer, preferred stocks generally do not have voting rights or have limited voting rights and have economic characteristics similar to fixed-income securities. Preferred stocks generally are issued with a fixed par value and pay dividends based on a percentage of that par value at a fixed or variable rate.  Dividend payments on preferred stocks may be subordinate to interest payments on the issuer’s debt obligations.  Certain preferred stocks may be convertible to common stock.  Additionally, preferred stocks often have a liquidation value that generally equals the original purchase price of the preferred stock at the date of issuance.

Preferred stocks are subject to issuer-specific and market risks generally applicable to equity securities and credit and interest rate risks generally applicable to fixed-income securities.  The value of preferred stock may react more strongly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred stocks are considered an equity security.

Short Sales.  The Fund may engage in short sales on securities or a basket or index of securities.  A short sale on an individual security typically involves the sale of a security that is borrowed from a broker or other institution to complete the sale.  When making a short sale, the Fund must segregate liquid assets with a broker or the custodian equal to (or otherwise cover) its obligations under the short sale.  Generally, securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold unless they are replaced with other liquid assets.  This may limit the Fund’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.  The seller of a short position generally realizes a profit from the transaction if the proceeds it receives on the short sale exceed the cost of purchasing the securities sold short in the market, but will generally realize a loss if the cost of closing the short position exceeds the proceeds from the short sale.  The Fund pays interest or dividend expense with respect to securities sold short.

If the Fund does not own the securities sold short, the short sale exposes the Fund to the risk that it will be required to purchase securities to replace the borrowed securities (also known as “covering” the short position) at a time when the securities sold short have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss.  There is no assurance that a security sold short


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds65Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



will decline in value or make a profit for the Fund. In addition, there is no guarantee that any security needed to cover the short position will be available for purchase.  Short selling carries a risk that the counterparty to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund. Further, if other short positions of the same security are closed out at the same time, a “short squeeze” can occur where demand exceeds the supply for the security sold short. A short squeeze makes it more likely that the Fund will need to replace the borrowed security at an unfavorable price. If the Fund invests the proceeds received for selling securities short in other investments, the Fund is employing a form of leverage.

Smaller Companies.  Securities of smaller companies, which may include legally restricted securities, are generally subject to greater price fluctuations, limited liquidity, higher transaction costs and higher investment risk than the securities of larger, more established companies.  Such companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, may be dependent on a limited management group, and may lack substantial capital reserves or an established performance record.  There may be generally less publicly available information about such companies than for larger, more established companies.  Because of the absence of any public trading market for some of these investments (such as those which are legally restricted) it may be more difficult to value these investments and may take longer to liquidate these positions at fair value than would be the case for publicly traded securities.

Repurchase Agreements.  A repurchase agreement is the purchase by the Fund of securities from a counterparty in exchange for cash that is coupled with an agreement to resell those securities to the counterparty at a specified date and price. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days that the investment adviser believes may not be terminated within seven days at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the agreements are considered illiquid securities. When a repurchase agreement is entered into, the Fund typically receives securities with a value that equals or exceeds the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the agreement. The value of such securities will be marked to market daily, and cash or additional securities will be exchanged between the parties as needed. Except in the case of a repurchase agreement entered into to settle a short sale, the value of the securities delivered to the Fund will be at least equal to 90% of such repurchase price during the term of the repurchase agreement. The terms of a repurchase agreement entered into to settle a short sale may provide that the cash purchase price paid by the Fund is more than the value of purchased securities that effectively collateralize the repurchase price payable by the counterparty. Since in such a transaction the Fund normally will have used the purchased securities to settle the short sale, the Fund will segregate liquid assets equal to the marked to market value of the purchased securities that it is obligated to return to the counterparty under the repurchase agreement.

In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement, recovery of the repurchase price owed to the Fund may be delayed. In a repurchase agreement, such an insolvency may result in a loss to the extent that the value of the purchased securities decreases during the delay or that value has otherwise not been maintained at an amount equal to the repurchase price. Repurchase agreements may create leverage in the Fund.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements.  The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund transfers possession of a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the security at an agreed upon time and price, which reflects an interest payment.  The Fund may enter into such agreements when it believes it is able to invest the cash acquired at a rate higher than the cost of the agreement, which would increase the Fund’s earned income.  The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements as a means of raising cash to satisfy redemption requests without the necessity of selling portfolio holdings.

In the event of the insolvency of the counterparty to a reverse repurchase agreement, recovery of the securities sold by the Fund may be delayed. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the counterparty’s insolvency may result in a loss equal to the amount by which the value of the securities sold by the Fund exceeds the repurchase price payable by the Fund. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities sold to the counterparty or the securities which the Fund purchases with the proceeds under the agreement would affect the value of the Fund’s assets.  As a result, such agreements may increase fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares.  Because reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be a form of borrowing by the Fund (and a loan from the counterparty), they constitute leverage.

Duration.   Duration measures a fixed-income security’s price sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates.  Duration differs from maturity in that it considers a security’s coupon payments in addition to the amount of time until the security matures.  As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration.  Various techniques may be used to shorten or lengthen Fund duration.

Leverage. Certain types of Fund transactions may give rise to economic leverage, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument. Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund.  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds66Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



The use of leverage may cause the Fund to maintain liquid assets or liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements.  Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.  The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Liquidity Risk.  The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the Fund’s ability to sell particular investments or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price. Trading opportunities are also more limited for securities and other instruments that are not widely held or are traded in less developed markets.  These factors may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. It also may be more difficult to value less liquid investments.  These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress. Increased Fund redemption activity also may increase liquidity risk due to the need of the Fund to sell portfolio investments and may negatively impact Fund performance.

The Fund will not acquire any illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund will have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments.  Illiquid investments mean any investments that the Fund’s investment adviser and/or sub-adviser, as applicable, reasonably expect cannot be sold or disposed of in seven calendar days or less under then-current market conditions without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.

Restricted Securities.  Securities held by the Fund may be legally restricted as to resale (such as those issued in private placements), including commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder, and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers initially offered and sold outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S thereunder.  Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market.  The Fund may incur additional expense when disposing of restricted securities, including all or a portion of the cost to register the securities.  The Fund also may acquire securities through private placements under which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities that are in addition to applicable legal restrictions.  In addition, if the investment adviser and/or sub-adviser, if applicable, receives non-public information about the issuer, the Fund may as a result be unable to sell the securities.

Restricted securities may be difficult to value properly and may involve greater risks than securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. It may be difficult to sell restricted securities at a price representing fair value until such time as the securities may be sold publicly.  Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell such securities when the investment adviser and/or sub-adviser, if applicable, believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held.  Holdings of restricted securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them. Restricted securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk, which may result in substantial losses.

Municipal Obligations.  Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, notes, floating-rate notes and commercial paper issued by municipalities and agencies and authorities established by those municipalities. Municipal debt may be used for a wide variety of public and private purposes, and the interest thereon may or may not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.  Municipal obligations also include municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation in municipal leases.  A municipal lease obligation is a bond that is secured by lease payments made by the party, typically a state or municipality, leasing the facilities (e.g., schools or office buildings) that were financed by the bond.  Such lease payments may be subject to annual appropriation or may be made only from revenues associated with the facility financed.  In other cases, the leasing state or municipality is obligated to appropriate funds from its general tax revenues to make lease payments as long as it utilizes the leased property.  A certificate of participation (also referred to as a “participation”) in a municipal lease is an instrument evidencing a pro rata share in a specific pledged revenue stream, usually lease payments by the issuer that are typically subject to annual appropriation.  The certificate generally entitles the holder to receive a share, or participation, in the payments from a particular project.   

Certain municipal obligations may be purchased on a “when-issued” basis, which means that payment and delivery occur on a future settlement date. The price and yield of such securities are generally fixed on the date of commitment to purchase.  

Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts.  The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including the construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other public purposes.  The basic security of general obligation bonds is the issuer’s pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest.  The


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds67Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate and amount.  General obligation bonds issued by municipalities can be adversely affected by economic downturns and the resulting decline in tax revenues, pension funding risk, other post-employment benefit risk, budget imbalances, taxing ability risk, lack of political willpower and federal funding risk, among others. Revenue bonds can be adversely affected by the negative economic viability of the facility or revenue source. Many municipal obligations permit the issuer at its option to “call”, or redeem, its securities.  As such, the effective maturity of an obligation may be reduced as the result of call provisions and, if an investment is called in a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from the called bond may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.  The effective maturity of an obligation is its likely redemption date after consideration of any call or redemption features.  

Inflation-Indexed Bonds.  Inflation-indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation-indexed bonds and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds) are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.  The principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond is adjusted in response to changes in the level of inflation.  Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, and therefore, the principal amount of such bonds cannot be reduced below par even during a period of deflation.  However, the current market value of these bonds is not guaranteed and will fluctuate, reflecting the risk of changes in their yields.  In certain jurisdictions outside the United States, the repayment of the original bond principal upon the maturity of an inflation-indexed bond is not guaranteed, allowing for the amount of the bond repaid at maturity to be less than par.  The interest rate for inflation-indexed bonds is fixed at issuance as a percentage of this adjustable principal.  Accordingly, the actual interest income may both rise and fall as the principal amount of the bonds adjusts in response to movements in the Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation.  

The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates (i.e. the rate of interest after allowing for inflation). If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation-indexed bonds and certain corporate 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 by the U.S. Treasury in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.  While these 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.

Event-Linked Instruments.  The Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in event-linked instruments, including event-linked bonds, event-linked swaps, or other event-linked instruments (such as so-called reinsurance side cars).  The return of principal and the payment of interest on event-linked instruments are contingent on, or formulaically related to, the non-occurrence of a pre-defined “trigger” event. For some event-linked instruments, the trigger event’s magnitude may be based on losses to a company or industry, industry indexes or readings of scientific instruments rather than specified actual losses. Examples of trigger events include hurricanes, earthquakes, weather-related phenomena, or statistics relating to such events. Some event-linked instruments are commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds.” Event-linked instruments involve significant uncertainties and major risk exposures to adverse events. The Fund is entitled to receive principal and interest payments so long as no trigger event occurs as specified by the instrument. Event-linked instruments may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities, and may be denominated in foreign currencies.  Because event-linked instruments typically cover “catastrophic” events that, if they occur, will result in significant losses, they carry a high degree of risk of loss. Event-linked instruments are often rated below investment grade or, if unrated, deemed to be of equivalent quality.  

If a trigger event occurs, the Fund may lose all or a portion of its investment in an event-linked instrument or the notional amount of an event-linked swap. Such losses may be substantial. Event-linked instruments generally provide for extensions of maturity 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 the instrument’s volatility and potentially make it more difficult to value. In addition, valuation of event-linked instruments is subject to the added uncertainty caused by the inability to generally predict whether, when or where a natural disaster or other triggering event will occur. Event-linked instruments also may expose the Fund to issuer, credit, counterparty, restricted securities, liquidity and valuation risks as well as exposures to specific geographic areas adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, and adverse tax consequences.  

Commodities-Related Investments.  Commodity-related investments include, but are not limited to, commodities contracts, commodity futures or options thereon (investments in contracts for the future purchase or sale of commodities); commodity exchange-traded funds (exchange-traded funds that track the price of a single commodity, such as gold or oil, or a basket of commodities); commodity exchange traded notes (non-interest paying debt instruments whose price


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds68Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



fluctuates (by contractual commitment) with an underlying commodities index); total return swaps based on a commodity index (permitting one party to receive/pay the total return on a commodity index against payment/receipt of an agreed upon spread/interest rate); commodity-linked notes (providing a return based on a formula referenced to a commodity index); sovereign issued oil warrants (a sovereign obligation the coupon on which is contingent on the price of oil); precious metals; and any other commodities-related investment permitted by law.  Commodities-related investments may be used to gain exposure to a particular type of commodity, basket of commodities, commodity market or commodity index, or to hedge such exposures or a position in a commodity producing country.  

The risks associated with investing in commodities include regulatory, health, economic and political developments, weather events and natural disasters, pestilence, market disruptions and the fact that commodity prices may have greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.  The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture, and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies.  The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuation in supply and demand.  Commodity-related investments are often offered by companies in the financial services sector, including the banking, brokerage, and insurance sectors.  As a result, events affecting issuers in the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.  Although investments in commodities typically move in different directions than traditional equity and fixed-income securities, when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse economic conditions, there is no guarantee that these investments will perform differently, and at certain times the price movements of commodity-related investments have been parallel to those of equity and fixed-income securities.

Subsidiary Investments. The Subsidiary is permitted to invest in commodity-related investments as well as other permitted securities.  The Subsidiary is not subject to U.S. laws, including securities laws and their protections.  The Subsidiary is subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands, which can be affected by developments in that country.  The Subsidiary is operated in accordance with the investment restrictions applicable to the investment companies registered under U.S. federal securities laws, but is not subject to the same provisions of the Code as is the Fund.  For tax purposes, all income or net capital gain from the Subsidiary is treated as ordinary income to the Fund.

Global Macro Absolute Return Fund, Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund and Short duration Strategic Income Fund may each be exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments.  Because the Subsidiary is not registered under U.S. federal securities laws, it may not be able to negotiate terms with its counterparties that are equivalent to those a registered fund may negotiate.  As a result, the Subsidiary may have greater exposure to those counterparties than a registered fund.  Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Subsidiary to operate as described in the Fund’s Prospectus and SAI, and could adversely affect the Fund’s investment approach.

In order for the Fund to satisfy tax requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund must derive at least 90 percent of its gross income each taxable year from certain qualifying sources of income.  Commodity-related investments generally generate income that is not from a qualified source for purposes of meeting this 90 percent test.  The rules regarding the extent to which income, if any, realized by a wholly owned non-U.S. subsidiary (such as the Subsidiary) of the Fund and included in the Fund's annual income for U.S. federal income purposes, but that is not timely and currently repatriated to the Fund, will constitute qualifying income are unclear and currently under consideration.  Based on advice from tax counsel, the Fund intends to take the position that income from its investments in the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income for purposes of qualifying as a regulated investment company.  The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued proposed regulations providing that income earned by non-U.S. wholly owned subsidiaries of a regulated investment company and included in such regulated investment company’s gross income constitutes qualifying income only to the extent such income is timely and currently repatriated to the regulated investment company.  If the proposed regulations were finalized in their current form, annual net profit, if any, realized by the Subsidiary and included in the income of the Fund would constitute qualifying income only to the extent it is timely and currently repatriated to the Fund.  Should the IRS make a determination, issue guidance, or take other action that adversely affects the tax treatment of investing in the Subsidiary, it could limit the Fund’s ability to invest in commodity-related investments, the Fund may incur transaction and other costs to comply with any new or additional guidance from the IRS, and such action could bear adversely on the Fund’s ability to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company.  The tax treatment of commodity-related investments and income from the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds69Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



U.S. Treasury and Government Securities.  U.S. Treasury securities (“Treasury Securities”) include U.S. Treasury obligations that differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance.  U.S. Government agency securities (“Agency Securities”) include obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities and government-sponsored enterprises.  Agency Securities may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government or they may be backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the obligations, or the credit of the agency, instrumentality or enterprise.  

Government-sponsored enterprises, such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”), the Private Export Funding Corporation (“PEFCO”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the Federal Farm Credit Banks (“FFCB”) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations and the debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by them are neither guaranteed nor issued by the U.S. Government.  Treasury Securities and Agency Securities also include any security or agreement collateralized or otherwise secured by Treasury Securities or Agency Securities, respectively.

Because of their high credit quality and market liquidity, U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities generally provide a lower current return than obligations of other issuers.  While the U.S. Government has provided financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the past, there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored enterprises in the future.

Equity Securities.  Equity securities include: common stocks; preferred stocks, including convertible and contingent convertible preferred stocks; equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures and other unincorporated entities or enterprises; depositary receipts, rights and warrants in underlying equity interests; and other securities that are treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  The Fund cannot predict the income it might receive from equity securities because issuers generally have discretion as to the payment of any dividends or distributions.  

The value of equity securities and related instruments may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical, social or environmental developments; issuer- and sector-specific considerations; unexpected trading activity among retail investors; and other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks.  If the stock market declines, the value of Fund shares will also likely decline.  Although stock prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

Build America Bonds. Build America Bonds are taxable municipal obligations issued pursuant to the American Recovery and Reimbursement Act of 2009 (the “Act”) or other legislation providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support. The Act authorized state and local governments to issue taxable bonds on which, assuming certain specified conditions were satisfied, issuers could either (i) receive reimbursement from the U.S. Treasury with respect to its interest payments on the bonds (“direct pay” Build America Bonds) or (ii) provide tax credits to investors in the bonds (“tax credit” Build America Bonds). Unlike most other municipal obligations, interest received on Build America Bonds is subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state income tax. Under the terms of the Act, issuers of direct pay Build America Bonds are entitled to receive reimbursement from the U.S. Treasury currently equal to 35% (or 45% in the case of Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds) of the interest paid. Holders of tax credit Build America Bonds can receive a federal tax credit currently equal to 35% of the coupon interest received. The Fund may invest in “principal only” strips of tax credit Build America Bonds, which entitle the holder to receive par value of such bonds if held to maturity. The Fund does not expect to receive (or, if received, pass through to shareholders) tax credits as a result of its investments. The federal interest subsidy or tax credit continues for the life of the bonds.

Pursuant to the Act, the issuance of Build America Bonds ceased on December 31, 2010. As a result, the availability of such bonds is limited, which may adversely affect their liquidity.

Cash and Money Market Instruments; Temporary Defensive Positions.  The Fund may invest in cash or money market instruments, including high quality short-term instruments or an affiliated investment company that invests in such instruments.  During unusual market conditions, including for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or money market instruments, which may be inconsistent with its investment objective(s) and other policies, and as such, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective(s) during this period.

Money market instruments may be adversely affected by market and economic events, such as a sharp rise in prevailing short-term interest rates; adverse developments in the banking industry, which issues or guarantees many money market instruments; adverse economic, political or other developments affecting issuers of money market instruments; changes in the credit quality of issuers; and default by a counterparty.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds70Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Forward Commitments and When-Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a “forward commitment” or “when-issued” basis (meaning securities are purchased or sold with payment and delivery taking place in the future). In such a transaction, the Fund is securing what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering into the transaction.

The yield on a comparable security when the transaction is consummated may vary from the yield on the security at the time that the forward commitment or when-issued transaction was made. From the time of entering into the transaction until delivery and payment is made at a later date, the securities that are the subject of the transaction are subject to market fluctuations. In forward commitment or when-issued transactions, if the seller or buyer, as the case may be, fails to consummate the transaction, the counterparty may miss the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Forward commitment or when-issued transactions may be expected to occur a month or more before delivery is due. No payment or delivery is made, however, until payment is received or delivery is made from the other party to the transaction.  These transactions may create leverage in the Fund.

Securities Lending.  The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to broker-dealers and other institutional borrowers.  During the existence of a loan, the Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest paid by the issuer on the securities loaned, or all or a portion of the interest on investment of the collateral, if any. The Fund may pay lending fees to such borrowers. Loans will only be made to firms that have been approved by the investment adviser, and the investment adviser or the securities lending agent will periodically monitor the financial condition of such firms while such loans are outstanding. Securities loans will only be made when the investment adviser believes that the expected returns, net of expenses, justify the attendant risks.  Securities loans currently are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents (such as money market instruments) or other liquid securities held by the custodian and maintained in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned.  The Fund may engage in securities lending for total return as well as income, and may invest the collateral received from loans in investments in which the Fund may invest.  Upon return of the loaned securities, the Fund would be required to return the related collateral to the borrower and may be required to liquidate portfolio securities in order to do so.  The Fund may lend up to one-third of the value of its total assets or such other amount as may be permitted by law.

As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities fails financially.  To the extent that the portfolio securities acquired with such collateral have decreased in value, it may result in the Fund realizing a loss at a time when it would not otherwise do so. As such, securities lending may introduce leverage into the Fund. The Fund also may incur losses if the returns on securities that it acquires with cash collateral are less than the applicable rebate rates paid to borrowers and related administrative costs.

Pooled Investment Vehicles.  The Fund may invest in pooled investment vehicles to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, and the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder.  Pooled investment vehicles are open- and closed-end investment companies unaffiliated with the investment adviser, open-end investment companies affiliated with the investment adviser and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Pooled investment vehicles are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or other instruments that they own.  The market for common shares of certain closed-end investment companies and ETFs, which are generally traded on an exchange and may be traded at a premium or discount to net asset value, is affected by the demand for those securities, regardless of the value of such fund’s underlying securities.  Additionally, natural or environmental disasters, widespread disease or other public health issues, war, acts of terrorism or other events could result in increased premiums or discounts to such fund’s net asset value.  The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other operating expenses paid by unaffiliated and certain affiliated pooled investment vehicles in which it invests.  If such fees exceed 0.01% of the average net assets of the Fund, the costs associated with such investments will be reflected under Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses in the Fund’s Annual Fund Operating Expenses table(s) in its Fund Summary.

The Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), which are debt securities that typically are listed on exchanges and their terms generally provide for a return that tracks specified market indices.  ETNs may not trade in the secondary market, but typically are redeemable by the issuer.  

Unlike ETFs and closed-end investment companies, ETNs are not registered investment companies and thus are not regulated under the 1940 Act.  While ETNs do not have management fees, they are subject to certain investor fees.  In addition, as debt securities, ETNs are subject to the additional credit risk of the issuer.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”).  The Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or other instruments that they own.  The market for common shares of ETFs, which are generally traded on an exchange and may be traded at a premium or discount to net asset value, is affected by the demand for those securities, regardless of the value of such ETF’s underlying securities.  Additionally, natural or environmental disasters, widespread disease or other public health issues, war, acts of terrorism or other events could result in increased premiums or discounts to an ETF’s net asset value.  The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds71Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



management fees and other operating expenses paid by ETFs in which it invests.  If such fees exceed 0.01%, the costs associated with such investments will be reflected under Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses in the Fund’s Annual Fund Operating Expenses table(s) in its Fund Summary. Requirements of the federal securities laws may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in other investment companies, including ETFs.

Borrowing.   The Fund is permitted to borrow for temporary purposes (such as to satisfy redemption requests, to remain fully invested in anticipation of expected cash inflows and to settle transactions).  Any borrowings by the Fund are subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.  Borrowings are also subject to the terms of any credit agreement between the Fund and lender(s).  Fund borrowings may be equal to as much as 331/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including such borrowings) less the Fund’s liabilities (other than borrowings). The Fund will not purchase additional investments while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its total assets. In addition, the Fund may invest in funds that are authorized to borrow to acquire additional investments. There is no assurance that a borrowing strategy will be successful.

In addition, the Fund will be required to maintain a specified level of asset coverage with respect to all borrowings and may be required to sell some of its holdings to reduce debt and restore coverage at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.  The rights of the lender to receive payments of interest and repayments of principal of any borrowings made by the Fund under a credit facility are senior to the rights of holders of shares with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation. In the event of a default under a credit arrangement, the lenders may have the right to cause a liquidation of the collateral (i.e., sell Fund assets) and, if any such default is not cured, the lenders may be able to control the liquidation as well.

Issuer Non-Diversification.  Each Fund is a non-diversified fund, except Global Bond Fund. A “non-diversified” fund can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than diversified funds. Focusing investments in a smaller number of issuers could result in greater potential losses than for funds investing in a broader variety of issuers, and the value of a non-diversified fund's shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.  However, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. This requires the Fund to limit its investments so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, at least 50% of the Fund’s total assets are invested in (i) cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and (ii) single issuers that are less than 5% of the total assets of the Fund and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer.  In addition, at the end of each fiscal quarter, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets can be invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than those of 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.

Investing in a Portfolio.  Global Bond Fund, Emerging Markets Local Income Fund, Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund invest substantially all of their assets in a corresponding Portfolio and operate in a “hub and spoke” structure, while Short Duration Strategic Income Fund invests in multiple Portfolios/fund(s) in a “fund-of-funds” structure.  This enables a Fund to pool its assets with other investors that also invest in the same Portfolio, resulting in efficiencies in management and administration that can lower Fund costs and enhance shareholder returns.

The ability of a Fund operating in a hub and spoke or fund-of-funds structure to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of its corresponding Portfolio(s)/fund(s) to meet its objective.  Other investors in the Portfolio/fund may have different expense structures and may be offered and sold on different terms than a Fund. As a result, a Fund’s performance may differ from that of other investors in the same Portfolio/fund, including other Eaton Vance-sponsored funds. Contribution and withdrawal activities by other Portfolio investors may impact the management of a Portfolio and its ability to achieve its investment objective. A large withdrawal by one Portfolio investor could have an adverse effect on other Portfolio investors. Eaton Vance or its affiliate serves as investment adviser and/or administrator to the Fund and Portfolio(s)/fund(s). Therefore, conflicts may arise as Eaton Vance fulfills its fiduciary responsibilities to the Fund and the Portfolio(s)/fund(s).

As a Portfolio investor, a Fund may be asked to vote on certain Portfolio matters (such as changes in certain Portfolio investment restrictions). When required by law to do so, the Fund will hold a meeting of Fund shareholders and will vote its interest in the Portfolio for or against such matters in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. A Fund can withdraw its investment in a Portfolio at any time without shareholder approval.

The Board may discontinue a Fund’s investment in a Portfolio if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. In such an event, the Board would consider what action might be taken, including investing Fund assets in another pooled investment entity or investing directly in accordance with its investment objective(s). The Fund may also invest a portion of its assets directly. The Fund’s investment performance and expense ratio may be affected if its investment structure is changed or if another Portfolio investor withdraws all or a portion of its investment in the Portfolio.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds72Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Cybersecurity Risk.  With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers to conduct business, such as the Internet, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. The Fund relies on communications technology, systems, and networks to engage with clients, employees, accounts, shareholders, and service providers, and a cyber incident may inhibit the Fund’s ability to use these technologies. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites. A denial-of-service attack is an effort to make network services unavailable to intended users, which could cause shareholders to lose access to their electronic accounts, potentially indefinitely. Employees and service providers also may not be able to access electronic systems to perform critical duties for the Fund, such as trading and NAV calculation, during a denial-of-service attack. There is also the possibility for systems failures due to malfunctions, user error and misconduct by employees and agents, natural disasters, or other foreseeable and unforeseeable events.

Because technology is consistently changing, new ways to carry out cyber attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Similar types of cybersecurity risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which could have material adverse consequences for those issuers and result in a decline in the market price of their securities. Furthermore, as a result of cyber attacks, technological disruptions, malfunctions or failures, an exchange or market may close or suspend trading in specific securities or the entire market, which could prevent the Fund from, among other things, buying or selling the Fund or accurately pricing its securities. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber incidents consistently. In addition to deliberate cyber attacks, unintentional cyber incidents can occur, such as the inadvertent release of confidential information by the Fund or its service providers.

The Fund uses third party service providers who are also heavily dependent on computers and technology for their operations. Cybersecurity failures by or breaches of the Fund’s investment adviser or administrator and other service providers (including, but not limited to, the custodian or transfer agent), and the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, may disrupt and otherwise adversely affect their business operations. This may result in financial losses to the Fund, impede Fund trading, interfere with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, limit a shareholder’s ability to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund or cause violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, litigation costs, or additional compliance costs. While many of the Fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans and risk management systems intended to identify and mitigate cyber attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. The Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund and issuers in which the Fund invests.  The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Research Process.  The Fund’s portfolio management utilizes information provided by, and the expertise of, the research staff of the investment adviser and/or certain of its affiliates in making investment decisions.  As part of the research process, portfolio management may consider financially material environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors.  Such factors, alongside other relevant factors, may be taken into account in the Fund’s securities selection process.

Geopolitical Risk.  The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in a Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, health emergencies (such as epidemics and pandemics), terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, health emergencies, social and political discord, war or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Other financial, economic and other global market and social developments or disruptions may result in similar adverse circumstances, and it is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects (which may last for extended periods).

Such global events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations, cause a significant negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, adversely affect and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price, and/or exacerbate pre-existing political, social and economic risks to the Fund. The Fund’s operations may be interrupted and any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund’s portfolio. There is a risk that you may lose money by investing in the Fund.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds73Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Recent Market Conditions.  The outbreak of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and the effects of other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, may be short term or may continue for an extended period of time. Health crises caused by outbreaks of disease, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and operations. For example, a global pandemic or other widespread health crisis could cause substantial market volatility and exchange trading suspensions and closures.  In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers. The coronavirus outbreak and public and private sector responses thereto have led to large portions of the populations of many countries working from home for indefinite periods of time, temporary or permanent layoffs, disruptions in supply chains, and lack of availability of certain goods. The impact of such responses could adversely affect the information technology and operational systems upon which the Fund and the Fund’s service providers rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund’s performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Fund invests and may lead to losses on your investment in the Fund.

General.  The Fund's 80% Policy will not be changed unless shareholders are given at least 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.  Unless otherwise stated, the Fund's investment objective and certain other policies may be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholders will receive 60 days' advance written notice of any material change in the investment objective. The Fund might not use all of the strategies and techniques or invest in all of the types of securities described in this Prospectus or the SAI.  While at times the Fund may use alternative investment strategies in an effort to limit its losses, it may choose not to do so.

The Fund’s annual operating expenses are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets and may change as Fund assets increase and decrease over time.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective.   In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund.  Mutual funds, investment advisers, other market participants and many securities markets are subject to rules and regulations and the jurisdiction of one or more regulators.  Changes to applicable rules and regulations or to widely accepted market conventions or standards could have an adverse effect on securities markets and market participants, as well as on the Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy.  With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers, such as the Internet, to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks.  See “Additional Information about Investment Strategies and Risks” in the Fund’s SAI.

Management and Organization

Management.  Each Fund’s investment adviser is Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”). Each Portfolio and each Subsidiary’s investment adviser is Boston Management and Research (“BMR”). Eaton Vance and BMR have offices at Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110.  Eaton Vance and BMR and their predecessor organizations have been managing assets since 1924 and managing mutual funds since 1931.  EV LLC (“EV”) serves as trustee of Eaton Vance and BMR.  Prior to March 1, 2021, Eaton Vance, BMR and EV were direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp. (“EVC”).

On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley acquired EVC (the “Transaction”), and BMR, Eaton Vance and EV each became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.  In connection with the Transaction, each Fund and each Portfolio entered into a new investment advisory agreement with its investment adviser.  Each such agreement was approved by Fund shareholders or Portfolio interestholders, as applicable, prior to the consummation of the Transaction and was effective upon its closing. Effective March 1, 2021, any fee reduction agreement previously applicable to a Fund or Portfolio was incorporated into its new investment advisory agreement with its investment adviser, as applicable.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), whose principal offices are at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, is a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, as well as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services.  As of December 31, 2022, Morgan Stanley’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $1.3 trillion.

Each Fund is allocated its pro rata share of the advisory fee paid by the Portfolio(s) or other Eaton Vance fund(s) in which it invests. Effective March 1, 2021, the fee reduction agreement previously applicable to International Income Portfolio was incorporated into its new investment advisory agreement with BMR.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds74Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



If a Portfolio or Eaton Vance-registered investment company invests in a Subsidiary, the investment advisory fee rate payable under the Subsidiary’s investment advisory agreement is the same as the fee rate payable under the Portfolio’s investment advisory agreement. In determining the investment advisory fee payable by a Portfolio and a Subsidiary, the applicable advisory fee rate is determined based on the average daily net assets of the Portfolio (inclusive of its interest in the Subsidiary) and the applicable fee rate is assessed on the average daily net assets of the Portfolio exclusive of its interest in the Subsidiary. If a Portfolio invests in an affiliated money market fund or similar fund that charges a management fee, then the portion of such fee allocable to that Portfolio will be credited against that Portfolio’s advisory fee.  Additional information about the advisory fees and portfolio managers for each Fund and Portfolio are set forth below.

Each Fund’s annual report covering the fiscal year ended October 31 provides information regarding the basis for the Trustees’ approval of each Fund and each Portfolio’s investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement (as applicable).

Global Bond Fund.  Under its investment advisory agreement with the Fund, Eaton Vance is entitled to receive an advisory fee on average daily net assets per annum that are not invested in other investment companies for which Eaton Vance or its affiliates serve as adviser or administrator, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, Global Bond Fund incurred no such advisory fee.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $1 billion

0.500%

$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion

0.475%

$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion

0.455%

$5 billion and over

0.440%

International Income Portfolio. Under its investment advisory agreement with the Portfolio, BMR receives an advisory fee based on average daily net assets, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $1 billion

0.500%

$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion

0.475%

$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion

0.455%

$5 billion and over

0.440%

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the effective annual rate of investment advisory fee, based on average daily net assets of the Portfolio, was 0.50%.  

The portfolio managers of Global Bond Fund and International Income Portfolio are Patrick Campbell (since September 2021), Kyle Lee (since October 2019) and Brian Shaw (since September 2021).  Messrs. Campbell, Lee and Shaw manage other Eaton Vance funds and portfolios, are Vice Presidents of Eaton Vance and BMR and have been employees of the Eaton Vance organization for more than five years.

Emerging Markets Local Income Fund.  Under its investment advisory agreement with the Fund, Eaton Vance is entitled to receive an advisory fee on average daily net assets per annum that are not invested in other investment companies for which Eaton Vance or its affiliates serve as adviser or administrator, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, Emerging Markets Local Income Fund incurred no such advisory fee.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $1 billion

0.650%

$1 billion but less than $2 billion

0.625%

$2 billion but less than $5 billion

0.600%

$5 billion and over

0.575%


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds75Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Emerging Markets Local Income Portfolio. Under its investment advisory agreement with the Portfolio, BMR receives an advisory fee based on average daily net assets, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $1 billion

0.650%

$1 billion but less than $2 billion

0.625%

$2 billion but less than $5 billion

0.600%

$5 billion and over

0.575%

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the effective annual rate of investment advisory fee paid to BMR by Emerging Markets Local Income Portfolio was 0.65% of its average daily net assets.  

The portfolio managers of Emerging Markets Local Income Fund and Emerging Markets Local Income Portfolio are John R. Baur (since January 28, 2008), Patrick Campbell (since July 19, 2022) and Brian Shaw (since June 30, 2021).  Mr. Baur co-manages other Eaton Vance funds and portfolios, is a Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR and has been an employee of the Eaton Vance organization for more than five years.  Additional information about Messrs. Campbell and Shaw appears above.  Effective June 30, 2023, the portfolio managers of Emerging Markets Local Income Fund and Emerging Markets Local Income Portfolio will be Patrick Campbell and Brian Shaw.

Global Macro Absolute Return Fund. Under its investment advisory agreement with the Fund, Eaton Vance is entitled to receive an advisory fee on average daily net assets per annum that are not invested in other investment companies for which Eaton Vance or its affiliates serve as adviser or administrator, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, Global Macro Absolute Return Fund incurred no such advisory fee.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate*

Up to $500 million

0.615%

$500 million but less than $1 billion

0.595%

$1 billion but less than $1.5 billion

0.575%

$1.5 billion but less than $2 billion

0.555%

$2 billion but less than $3 billion

0.520%

$3 billion but less than $5 billion

0.490%

$5 billion but less than $10 billion

0.475%

$10 billion and over

0.465%

* Pursuant to an amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement dated April 29, 2022, Eaton Vance contractually agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee as stated above. These contractual reductions cannot be terminated without Trustee and shareholder approval. 


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds76Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Global Macro Portfolio. Under its investment advisory agreement with the Portfolio, BMR receives an advisory fee based on the level of aggregate average daily investable assets of the Portfolio including its interest, if any, in a Subsidiary. The fee payable by the Portfolio shall equal the product of (i) the fee rate determined in accordance with the previous sentence, and (ii) the average daily investable assets of the Portfolio exclusive of its interest in a Subsidiary, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate*

Up to $500 million

0.615%

$500 million but less than $1 billion

0.595%

$1 billion but less than $1.5 billion

0.575%

$1.5 billion but less than $2 billion

0.555%

$2 billion but less than $3 billion

0.520%

$3 billion but less than $5 billion

0.490%

$5 billion but less than $10 billion

0.475%

$10 billion and over

0.465%

* Pursuant to an amendment to the Portfolio’s investment advisory agreement dated April 29, 2022, BMR contractually agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee as stated above. These contractual reductions cannot be terminated without Trustee and shareholder approval. 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the effective annual rate of investment advisory fees paid to BMR by Global Macro Portfolio was 0.58% of its average daily net assets.

The portfolio managers of Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Portfolio are John R. Baur (since January 28, 2008), Patrick Campbell, Kyle Lee, Federico Sequeda (each since June 30, 2021) and Hussein Khattab (since March 16, 2022). Mr. Sequeda co-manages other Eaton Vance funds and portfolios, is a Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR and has been an employee of the Eaton Vance organization for more than five years. Mr. Khattab co-manages other Eaton Vance funds and portfolios, is a Vice President of EVAIL and has been an employee of the Eaton Vance organization for more than five years. Additional Information about Messrs. Baur, Campbell and Lee appears above.  Effective June 30, 2023, the portfolio managers of Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and Global Macro Portfolio will be Patrick Campbell, Kyle Lee, Federico Sequeda and Hussein Khattab.

Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund.  Under its investment advisory and administrative agreement with the Fund, Eaton Vance is entitled to receive an advisory fee on average daily net assets per annum that are not invested in other investment companies for which Eaton Vance or its affiliates (i) serves as adviser and (ii) receives an advisory fee, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund incurred no such advisory fee.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $500 million

1.000%

$500 million but less than $1 billion

0.950%

$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion

0.925%

$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion

0.900%

$5 billion and over

0.880%

Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Portfolio. Under its investment advisory agreement with the Portfolio, BMR receives an advisory fee based on average daily net assets, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $500 million

1.000%

$500 million but less than $1 billion

0.950%

$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion

0.925%

$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion

0.900%

$5 billion and over

0.880%


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds77Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the effective annual rate of investment advisory fees paid to BMR by Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Portfolio was 0.95% of its average daily net assets.  

The portfolio managers of Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Portfolio are John R. Baur (since inception), Patrick Campbell, Kyle Lee, Federico Sequeda (all since June 30, 2021) and Hussein Khattab (since March 16, 2022). Additional information about Messrs. Baur, Campbell, Khattab, Lee and Sequeda appears above.  Effective June 30, 2023, the portfolio managers of Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund and Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Portfolio will be Patrick Campbell, Kyle Lee, Federico Sequeda and Hussein Khattab.

Short Duration Strategic Income Fund.  Under its investment advisory agreement with the Fund, Eaton Vance is entitled to receive an advisory fee on average daily net assets per annum that are not invested in other investment companies for which Eaton Vance or its affiliates serve as adviser or administrator, as described below. The fee is payable monthly.

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $500 million

0.615%

$500 million but less than $1 billion

0.595%

$1 billion but less than $1.5 billion

0.575%

$1.5 billion but less than $2 billion

0.555%

$2 billion but less than $3 billion

0.520%

$3 billion and over

0.490%

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the effective annual rate of the Fund’s investment advisory fees paid to Eaton Vance, including the allocable portion of investment advisory fees of the Eaton Vance Portfolios/fund(s) in which Short Duration Strategic Income Fund invested, was 0.60% of Short Duration Strategic Income Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Fund is managed by Justin Bourgette (since November 1, 2019), Brian Shaw (since November 1, 2019), Eric A. Stein (since December 1, 2009) and Andrew Szczurowski (since November 1, 2013).  Messrs. Bourgette, Shaw, Stein and Szczurowski manage other Eaton Vance funds and portfolios and are Vice Presidents of Eaton Vance and BMR and have been employees of the Eaton Vance organization for more than five years.

The SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager, and each portfolio manager’s ownership of Fund shares.

Eaton Vance serves as the administrator of each Fund, providing each Fund with administrative services and related office facilities.  Eaton Vance does not currently receive a fee for serving as administrator.

Eaton Vance provides sub-transfer agency and related services to Eaton Vance mutual funds pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement.  For its services under the agreement, Eaton Vance receives an aggregate fee from such funds equal to its actual expenses incurred in performing such services.

Organization. Each Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust, a Massachusetts business trust.  Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares.  Each Class represents a pro rata interest in a Fund but is subject to different expenses and rights.  The Funds do not hold annual shareholder meetings but may hold special meetings for matters that require shareholder approval (such as electing or removing Trustees, approving management or advisory contracts or changing investment policies that may only be changed with shareholder approval).

Because the Funds use this combined Prospectus, a Fund could be held liable for a misstatement or omission made about another Fund.

Valuing Shares

You may buy or sell (redeem) shares of each Fund at the NAV next determined for the class after receipt of your order in good order, plus any applicable sales charge. Each Fund’s NAV is determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open for business (typically Monday through Friday) (the “Pricing Time”). Each Fund is closed for business and will not issue a NAV on the following business holidays and any other business day that the NYSE is closed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is generally not calculated and a Fund generally does not transact purchase or redemption requests.  However, on those days, the value of a Fund’s assets may be affected to the


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds78Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on foreign markets that are open.  In addition, trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and other days when a Fund does not price its interests or transact purchase or redemption requests.

If the NYSE is closed due to inclement weather, technology problems or any other reason on a day it would normally be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, a Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders until, and calculate its NAV as of, the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day, so long as its investment adviser believes there generally remains an adequate market to obtain reliable and accurate market quotations. If market quotations, official closing prices, or information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available or, in the investment adviser’s opinion, are deemed unreliable for a security, then that security will be fair valued in good faith by the investment adviser in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies and in accordance with applicable law. A Fund may elect to remain open and price its shares on days when the NYSE is closed but the primary securities markets on which the Fund’s securities trade remain open. Therefore, to the extent, if any, that a Fund invests in securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your shares. When purchasing or redeeming Fund shares through a financial intermediary, your financial intermediary must receive your order by the close of regular trading on the NYSE in order for the purchase price or the redemption price to be based on that day’s net asset value per share. It is the financial intermediary’s responsibility to transmit orders promptly. Each Fund may accept purchase and redemption orders as of the time of their receipt by certain financial intermediaries (or their designated intermediaries).

The Board has adopted procedures for valuing investments (the “Procedures”), which have also been adopted by any Subsidiary, and has delegated to the investment adviser(s), as valuation designee, the daily valuation of such investments. Pursuant to the Procedures, securities and other investments held by a Fund for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued at market value. Exchange-listed investments (including certain derivatives) are normally valued at last sale or closing prices.  Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices at valuation time as reported by the Options Price Reporting Authority for U.S. listed options, or by the relevant exchange or board of trade for non-U.S. listed options.  Non-exchange traded derivatives are normally valued on the basis of quotes obtained from brokers and dealers or independent pricing services.  Most loans and other debt obligations are valued using prices supplied by one or more pricing services.  Shares of any Subsidiary will be valued at their net asset value.

Pursuant to the Procedures, if market quotations are not readily available (or otherwise not reliable) for a particular investment, the fair value of the investment will be determined by the investment adviser(s), as valuation designee. A market quotation is readily available only when that quotation is a quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments that a Fund can access at the measurement date, provided that a quotation will not be readily available if it is not reliable. As such, a Fund will use fair value pricing if, for example, market prices or a pricing service's prices (as applicable) are unavailable or deemed unreliable, or if events occur after the close of a securities market (usually a foreign market) and before portfolio assets are valued that cause or are likely to cause a market quotation to be unavailable or unreliable, such as corporate actions, regulatory news, or natural disasters or governmental actions that may affect investments in a particular sector, country or region. In addition, for foreign equity securities and total return swaps and futures contracts on foreign indices that meet certain criteria, the Board has approved the use of a fair value service that values such investments to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other investments that have a strong correlation to the fair valued investments.  An investment that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than (i) actual market quotations, (ii) the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures, or (iii) the price at which the investment could have been sold during the period in which fair valuation was used with respect to such investment to calculate a Fund’s NAV. Because foreign investments held by a Fund, a Portfolio or a Subsidiary, as applicable, if any, may trade on days when Fund shares are not priced, the value of such investments, and thus the net asset value of a Fund's shares, can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. Eaton Vance has established a Valuation Committee that oversees the valuation of investments.

Purchasing Shares

Set forth below is information about the manner in which each Fund offers shares. A financial intermediary may offer Fund shares subject to variations in or elimination of the Fund sales charges (“variations”), provided such variations are described in this Prospectus. All variations described in Appendix A are applied by, and the responsibility of, the identified financial intermediary. Sales charge variations may apply to purchases, sales, exchanges and reinvestments of Fund shares and a shareholder transacting in Fund shares through an intermediary identified on Appendix A should read the terms and conditions of Appendix A carefully. See also “Shareholder Account Features – ‘Street Name’ Accounts.” For the variations applicable to shares offered through certain financial intermediaries, please see Appendix A – Financial


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds79Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Intermediary Sales Charge Variations. A variation that is specific to a particular financial intermediary is not applicable to shares held directly with a Fund or through another intermediary.

You may purchase shares through your financial intermediary or by mailing an account application form to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).  Purchase orders will be executed at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge) next determined after their receipt in proper form (meaning that the order is complete and contains all necessary information) by a Fund’s transfer agent.  A Fund’s transfer agent or your financial intermediary must receive your purchase in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) for your purchase to be effected at that day’s net asset value.  If you purchase shares through a financial intermediary, that intermediary may charge you a fee for executing the purchase for you.

Each Fund may suspend the sale of its shares at any time and any purchase order may be refused for any reason.  The U.S. registered funds sponsored by the Eaton Vance organization (the “Eaton Vance funds”) generally do not accept investments from residents of the European Union, the United Kingdom or Switzerland.  The Eaton Vance funds also do not accept investments from other non-U.S. residents, provided that a fund may accept investments from certain non-U.S. investors at the discretion of the principal underwriter.  The Funds do not issue share certificates.

As used throughout this Prospectus, the term “employer sponsored retirement plan” includes the following: an employer sponsored pension or profit sharing plan that qualifies under section 401(a) of the Code (such as a 401(k) plan, money purchase pension, profit sharing and defined benefit plan); ERISA covered 403(b) plan; Taft-Hartley multi-employer plan; and non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements that operate in a similar manner to a qualified retirement plan (including 457 plans and executive deferred compensation arrangements). Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) are not employer sponsored retirement plans for purposes of this definition.

Class A, Class C and Class R Shares

Your initial investment must be at least $1,000.  After your initial investment, additional investments may be made in any amount at any time by sending a check payable to the order of the Fund or the transfer agent directly to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).  Please include your name and account number and the name of the Fund and Class of shares with each investment.  Each Fund no longer accepts direct purchases of Class C shares by accounts for which no broker-dealer or other financial intermediary is specified.  Any direct purchase received by a Fund's transfer agent for Class C shares for such accounts will automatically be invested in Class A shares.

The minimum initial investment amount and Fund policy of redeeming accounts with low account balances are waived for bank automated investing accounts, certain group purchase plans (including employer sponsored retirement plans and proprietary fee-based programs sponsored by financial intermediaries) and for persons affiliated with Eaton Vance, its affiliates and certain Fund service providers (as described in the SAI).

Class I Shares

Your initial investment must be at least $1,000,000, except as noted below.  Class I shares are offered to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform.  Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and employer sponsored retirement plans.  Class I shares may also be available through brokerage platforms of broker-dealer firms that have agreements with a Fund’s principal underwriter to offer Class I shares solely when acting as an agent for the investor.  An investor acquiring Class I shares through such platforms may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker.  Each Fund offers other share classes that have different fees and expenses. Class I shares also are offered to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates and certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance.  

The Class I minimum initial investment is waived for persons affiliated with Eaton Vance, its affiliates and certain Fund service providers (as described in the SAI). The minimum initial investment also is waived for: (i) permitted exchanges; (ii) employer sponsored retirement plans; (iii) corporations, endowments and foundations with assets of at least $100 million; (iv) Class I shares purchased through the brokerage platforms described above; and (v) accounts of clients of financial intermediaries who (a) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (b) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform (in each case, as described above).

Class I shares may be purchased through a financial intermediary or by requesting your bank to transmit immediately available funds (Federal Funds) by wire.  To make an initial investment by wire, you must complete an account application and telephone Eaton Vance Shareholder Services at 1-800-262-1122  to be assigned an account number.  You may


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds80Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



request an account application by calling 1-800-262-1122  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).  Shareholder Services must be advised by telephone of each additional investment by wire.

Class R6 Shares

Class R6 shares are offered to employer sponsored retirement plans held in plan level or omnibus accounts; endowments; foundations; local, city, and state governmental institutions; corporations; charitable trusts; trust companies; private banks and their affiliates; and insurance companies; investors who purchase shares through asset-based fee programs of certain financial intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s principal underwriter to offer Class R6 shares through such programs; and investment companies. In order to offer Class R6 shares to investors other than employer sponsored retirement plans, a financial intermediary must enter into a written agreement with the Fund’s principal underwriter to offer such shares.

There is no initial investment minimum for:  employer sponsored retirement plans; private banks and their affiliates; investors who purchase shares through asset-based fee programs as described above, provided the aggregate value of such program’s assets under management invested in Eaton Vance funds is at least $5,000,000; and investment companies sponsored by the Eaton Vance organization. For all other eligible investors, the initial investment must be at least $5,000,000. Subsequent investments of any amount may be made at any time. Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) for further information.

Class R6 shares may be purchased through a financial intermediary or by requesting your bank to transmit immediately available funds (Federal Funds) by wire. To make an initial investment by wire, you must complete an account application and telephone Eaton Vance Shareholder Services at 1-800-262-1122 to be assigned an account number. You may request an account application by calling 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Shareholder Services must be advised by telephone of each additional investment by wire.

Subsequent Investments. Subsequent investments of any amount may be made at any time, including through automatic investment each month or quarter from your bank account. You may make automatic investments of $50 or more each month or each quarter from your bank account provided such investments equal a minimum of $200 per year. You can establish bank automated investing on the account application or by providing written instructions to the Fund’s transfer agent. Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) for further information.

You also may make additional investments by accessing your account via the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com. The trade date of purchases made through the Internet from a pre-designated bank account will be the day the purchase is requested through the Eaton Vance website (provided the request is on a business day and submitted no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE). For more information about purchasing shares through the Internet, please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Inactive Accounts.  In accordance with state “unclaimed property” (also known as “escheatment”) laws, your Fund shares may legally be considered abandoned and required to be transferred to the relevant state if no account activity or contact with the Fund or your financial intermediary occurs within a specified period of time.  Please initiate contact a least once per calendar year and maintain a current and valid mailing address on record for your account.  For more information, please see https://funds.eatonvance.com/mutual-funds-and-abandoned-property.php  or please contact us at 1-800-262-1122.

Restrictions on Excessive Trading and Market Timing.  The Funds are not intended for excessive trading or market timing.  Market timers seek to profit by rapidly switching money into a fund when they expect the share price of the fund to rise and taking money out of the fund when they expect those prices to fall.  By realizing profits through short-term trading, shareholders that engage in rapid purchases and sales (including exchanges, if permitted) of a fund’s shares may dilute the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Volatility resulting from excessive purchases and sales of fund shares, especially involving large dollar amounts, may disrupt efficient portfolio management.  In particular, excessive purchases and sales of a fund’s shares may cause a fund to have difficulty implementing its investment strategies, may force the fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times to raise cash or may cause increased expenses (such as increased brokerage costs, realization of taxable capital gains without attaining any investment advantage or increased administrative costs).

A fund that invests all or a portion of its assets in foreign securities may be susceptible to a time zone arbitrage strategy in which shareholders attempt to take advantage of fund share prices that may not reflect developments in a foreign securities market that occur after the close of such market but prior to the pricing of fund shares.  In addition, a fund that invests in securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or illiquid, is susceptible to the risk that the current market price for such securities may not accurately reflect current market values.  A shareholder may seek to engage in short-term trading to take advantage of these pricing differences (commonly referred to as “price arbitrage”).  


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds81Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



The investment adviser is authorized to use the fair value of a security if prices are unavailable or are deemed unreliable (see “Valuing Shares”).  The use of fair value pricing and the restrictions on excessive trading and market timing described below are intended to reduce a shareholder’s ability to engage in price or time zone arbitrage to the detriment of the Funds.

The Boards of the Eaton Vance funds have adopted policies to discourage short-term trading and market timing and to seek to minimize their potentially detrimental effects (the “Policy”).  Under the Policy, the Board has delegated to Eaton Vance the responsibility to reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate an exchange privilege or terminate the ability of a shareholder to invest in the Eaton Vance funds if Eaton Vance determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or excessive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to a Fund.

Pursuant to the Policy, two “round-trips” completed by a Fund shareholder within 90 days through one or more accounts (the “Limitation”) generally will be deemed to be indicative of market timing or trading excessively in fund shares.  A “round trip” is defined as a purchase or exchange into a fund followed or preceded by a redemption or exchange out of the fund.  Purchases and redemptions subject to the Limitation include those made by exchanging to or from another fund. Eaton Vance will evaluate transactions in Fund shares that violate the Limitation to determine whether they are likely to be detrimental to the Fund. In making such a determination, Eaton Vance may consider various factors, such as the amount, frequency and nature of trading activity. If such a determination is made, a Fund shareholder may be subject to restrictions on trading Fund shares, as described above.  Eaton Vance uses reasonable efforts to detect market timing and excessive trading activity that is likely to be detrimental to a Fund, but it cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all such cases.  Eaton Vance may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from a shareholder or group of shareholders for any other reason.  In applying the Policy, and in particular when determining whether a transaction is likely to be detrimental to a Fund, Eaton Vance will be required to make judgments that are inherently subjective and will depend on the specific facts and circumstances. Such determinations will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of a Fund’s shareholders.  No Eaton Vance fund has any arrangement to permit market timing.

The following fund share transactions generally are exempt from the Policy because they generally do not raise market timing or excessive trading concerns:  

·transactions (i) made pursuant to a Fund’s systematic purchase, exchange or redemption plan, (ii) made as the result of automatic reinvestment of dividends or distributions, or (iii) initiated by a Fund (e.g., for transactions due to a failure to meet applicable account minimums); 

·transactions made by participants in employer sponsored retirement plans involving (i) participant payroll or employer contributions or loan repayments, (ii) redemptions as part of plan terminations or at the direction of the plan, mandatory retirement distributions, or (iii) rollovers;  

·transactions in shares of Eaton Vance Short Duration Government Income Fund; or 

·investments in a fund by ReFlow in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program (if applicable to a Fund, the ReFlow liquidity program is described under “Investment Objectives & Principal Policies and Risks” above). 

The following Fund share transactions generally are exempt from the Limitation; however, these transactions are subject to monitoring by Eaton Vance and may be subject to restrictions if deemed likely to be detrimental to a Fund:

·transactions made by model-based discretionary advisory accounts; or 

·transactions made by funds that invest in a Fund as part of an asset reallocation in accordance with their investment policies or in response to Fund inflows and outflows.  

It may be difficult for Eaton Vance to identify market timing or excessive trading in omnibus accounts traded through financial intermediaries.  Eaton Vance has provided guidance to financial intermediaries (such as banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and retirement administrators) concerning the application of the Policy to Fund shares held in omnibus accounts maintained and administered by such intermediaries, including guidance concerning situations where market timing or excessive trading is considered to be detrimental to a Fund.  Eaton Vance may rely on a financial intermediary’s policy to restrict market timing and excessive trading if it believes that policy is likely to prevent market timing that is likely to be detrimental to the Fund.  Such policy may be more or less restrictive than the Policy.  Although Eaton Vance reviews trading activity at the omnibus account level for activity that indicates potential market timing or excessive trading activity, Eaton Vance typically will not request or receive individual account data unless suspicious trading activity is identified.  Eaton Vance generally relies on financial intermediaries to monitor trading activity in omnibus accounts in good faith in accordance with their own policies or the Policy.  Eaton Vance cannot ensure that these financial intermediaries will in all cases apply the Policy or their own policies, as the case may be, to accounts under their control.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds82Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Choosing a Share Class. Each Fund offers different classes of shares.  The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and privileges, and will likely have different share prices due to differences in class expenses.  A share class also may be subject to a sales charge.  In choosing the class of shares that suits your investment needs, you should consider:

·how long you expect to own your shares; 

·how much you intend to invest; and 

·the total operating expenses associated with owning each class. 

Each investor’s considerations are different.  You should speak with your financial intermediary to help you decide which class of shares to purchase.  Set forth below is a brief description of each class of shares offered by the Funds.

Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus a front-end sales charge of up to 3.25%.  This charge is deducted from the amount you invest.  The Class A sales charge is reduced for purchases of $100,000 or more.  The sales charge applicable to your purchase may be reduced under the right of accumulation or a statement of intention, which are described in “Reducing or Eliminating Class A Sales Charges” under “Sales Charges” below.  Some investors may be eligible to purchase Class A shares at net asset value under certain circumstances, which are also described below.  Class A shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 0.30% (0.25% in the case of Short Duration Strategic Income Fund) annually of average daily net assets.

Class C shares are offered through financial intermediaries at net asset value with no front-end sales charge.  If you sell your Class C shares within 12 months of purchase, you generally will be subject to a CDSC.  The CDSC is deducted from your redemption proceeds.  Under certain circumstances, the CDSC for Class C may be waived (such as certain redemptions from employer sponsored retirement plans).  See “CDSC Waivers” under “Sales Charges” below.  Class C shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 1.00% annually of average daily net assets.  Orders for Class C shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds will be refused when the total value of the purchase (including the aggregate market value of all Eaton Vance fund shares held within the purchasing shareholder’s account(s)) is $1 million or more.  The maximum single purchase limit for Class C shares of Short Duration Strategic Income Fund is $250,000 (this limit does not apply to employer sponsored retirement plans).  Investors considering cumulative purchases of $500,000 or more should consider whether another Class of shares would be more appropriate and consult their financial intermediary.  Each Fund no longer accepts direct purchases of Class C shares by accounts for which no broker-dealer or other financial intermediary is specified.  Any direct purchase received by a Fund’s transfer agent for Class C shares for such accounts will automatically be invested in Class A shares.  In addition, Class C shares held in an account for which no financial intermediary is specified and which are not subject to a CDSC will periodically be converted to Class A shares.

Class I shares are offered to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform.  Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and employer sponsored retirement plans.  Class I shares may also be available through brokerage platforms of broker-dealer firms that have agreements with the Fund’s principal underwriter to offer Class I shares solely when acting as an agent for the investor.  An investor acquiring Class I shares through such platforms may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker.  Class I shares are also offered to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates, and certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance (including employees, officers and directors of Eaton Vance’s affiliates). Class I shares do not pay distribution or service fees.

Class R shares are offered at net asset value with no front-end sales charge to employer sponsored retirement plans and Individual Retirement Account rollover clients of financial intermediaries who charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services.  Class R shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 0.50% annually of average daily net assets.

Class R6 shares are offered at net asset value to employer sponsored retirement plans and certain other investors as described under “Class R6 Shares” above. Class R6 shares are not subject to distribution fees, service fees or sub-accounting/recordkeeping or similar fees paid to financial intermediaries.

Payments to Financial Intermediaries. In addition to payments disclosed under “Sales Charges” below, the principal underwriter, out of its own resources, may make cash payments to certain financial intermediaries (which may include affiliates of the principal underwriter and investment adviser) who provide marketing support, transaction processing and/or administrative services and, in some cases, include some or all Eaton Vance funds in preferred or specialized selling programs.  Payments made by the principal underwriter to a financial intermediary may be significant and are typically in the form of fees based on Fund sales, assets, transactions processed and/or accounts attributable to that financial intermediary.  Financial intermediaries also may receive amounts from the principal underwriter in connection


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds83Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



with educational or due diligence meetings that include information concerning Eaton Vance funds.  The principal underwriter may pay or allow other promotional incentives or payments to financial intermediaries to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.  

Certain financial intermediaries that maintain fund accounts for the benefit of their customers provide sub-accounting, recordkeeping and/or administrative services to the Eaton Vance funds and are compensated for such services by the funds, provided that no such compensation is paid with respect to Class R6 shares.  As used in this Prospectus, the term “financial intermediary” includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment adviser, financial planner, a retirement plan and/or its administrator, their designated intermediaries and any other firm having a selling, administration or similar agreement with the principal underwriter or its affiliates.

Sales Charges

Class A Front-End Sales Charge.  Class A shares are offered at net asset value per share plus a sales charge that is determined by the amount of your investment.  The current sales charge schedule is:

Amount of Purchase

Sales Charge*
as Percentage of
Offering Price

Sales Charge*
as Percentage of Net
Amount Invested

Dealer Commission
as Percentage of
Offering Price

Less than $100,000

3.25%

3.36%

2.75%

$100,000 but less than $250,000

2.00%

2.04%

1.50%

$250,000 but less than $500,000

1.00%

1.01%

0.50%

$500,000 or more

0.00**

0.00**

TIERED**

*Because the Offering Price per share, which includes the front-end sales charge, is rounded to two decimal places, the actual sales charge you pay on a purchase of Class A shares may be more or less than your total purchase amount multiplied by the applicable sales charge percentage. 

**No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $500,000 or more.  The principal underwriter will pay a commission to financial intermediaries on sales of $500,000 or more as follows: 0.75% on amounts of $500,000 or more but less than $4 million; plus 0.50% on amounts of $4 million but less than $15 million; plus 0.25% on amounts of $15 million or more.   A CDSC of 0.75% will be imposed on such investments (as described below) in the event of redemptions within 12 months of purchase. 

Reducing or Eliminating Class A Sales Charges.  Front-end sales charges on purchases of Class A shares may be reduced under the right of accumulation or under a statement of intention.  To receive a reduced sales charge, you must inform your financial intermediary or a Fund at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction.  If you do not let your financial intermediary or the Fund know you are eligible for a reduced sales charge at the time of purchase, you will not receive the discount to which you may otherwise be entitled.

Right of Accumulation.  Under the right of accumulation, the sales charge you pay is reduced if the current market value of your holdings in a Fund or any other Eaton Vance fund (based on the current maximum public offering price) plus your new purchase total is $100,000 or more.  Shares owned by you, your spouse and children under age twenty-one may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation, including shares held for the benefit of any of you in omnibus or “street name” accounts.  In addition, shares held in a trust or fiduciary account of which any of the foregoing persons is the sole beneficiary (including employer sponsored retirement plans and IRAs) may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation.  Shares purchased and/or owned in a SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plan may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation for the plan and its participants.  You may be required to provide documentation to establish your ownership of shares included under the right of accumulation (such as account statements for you, your spouse and children or marriage certificates, birth certificates and/or trust or other fiduciary-related documents).  

Statement of Intention.  Under a statement of intention, purchases of $100,000 or more made over a 13-month period are eligible for reduced sales charges.  Shares eligible under the right of accumulation (other than those included in employer sponsored retirement plans) may be included to satisfy the amount to be purchased under a statement of intention.  Under a statement of intention, the principal underwriter may hold 5% of the dollar amount to be purchased in escrow in the form of shares registered in your name until you satisfy the statement or the 13-month period expires.  A statement of intention does not obligate you to purchase (or a Fund to sell) the full amount indicated in the statement.  If during the 13-month period you redeem any of the shares that you purchased pursuant to the statement of intention, the value of the redeemed shares will not be included for purposes of satisfying your statement of intention.  For additional information about statements of intention, see “Sales Charges” in the SAI.


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds84Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



Class A shares are offered at net asset value (without a sales charge) to accounts of clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers; or (iii) employer sponsored retirement plans.   Class A shares also are offered at net asset value to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates; certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance; direct purchases of shares by accounts where no financial intermediary is specified; and to certain fund service providers as described in the SAI.  Class A shares are also offered at net asset value to shareholders who make a permitted direct transfer or roll-over to an Eaton Vance prototype IRA from an employer-sponsored retirement plan previously invested in Eaton Vance funds (applicable only to the portion previously invested in Eaton Vance funds), provided that sufficient documentation is provided to the transfer agent of such transfer or roll-over at the time of the account opening.  Class A shares may also be purchased at net asset value pursuant to the exchange privilege and when distributions are reinvested.  A financial intermediary may not, in accordance with its policies and procedures, offer one or more of the waiver categories described above and shareholders should consult their financial intermediary for more information.  The Fund may eliminate, modify or add to the terms of these sales charge waivers at any time without providing notice to shareholders.  

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class A and Class C shares are subject to a CDSC on certain redemptions.  The CDSC generally is paid to the principal underwriter.  Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $500,000 are subject to a 0.75% CDSC if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.  Class C shares are subject to a 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.  CDSCs are based on the lower of the net asset value at the time of purchase or at the time of redemption. Shares acquired through the reinvestment of distributions are exempt from the CDSC. Redemptions are made first from shares that are not subject to a CDSC.

CDSC Waivers. CDSCs are waived for certain redemptions pursuant to a Withdrawal Plan (see “Shareholder Account Features”) and in connection with certain redemptions from employer sponsored retirement plans or IRAs to satisfy required minimum distributions or to return excess contributions made to IRAs, if applicable.  The CDSC is also waived following the death of a beneficial owner of shares (a death certificate and other applicable documents may be required). In addition, redemptions of Class C shares by certain employer sponsored retirement plans are not subject to a CDSC if the principal underwriter did not compensate such plans’ financial intermediary at the time of sale as described under “Distribution and Service Fees.”

Conversion Feature.  Effective November 5, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), Class C shares of a Fund will convert automatically to Class A shares of the Fund during the month following the eight year anniversary of the purchase of such Class C shares. If a financial intermediary that maintains a Class C shareholder’s account has not tracked the holding period for Class C shares, Class C shares held as of the Effective Date will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the Effective Date. In addition, Class C shares held in an account with each Fund’s transfer agent for which no financial intermediary is specified and that are not subject to a CDSC will be converted to Class A shares of the Fund periodically.

In some circumstances, the Board may determine to cease to offer and subsequently close an existing class of Fund shares. In such circumstances, the Fund may automatically convert the shares for such class into another share class, subject to prior notice to shareholders of the impacted class. Any such conversion will occur at the respective net asset value of each class as of the conversion date without the imposition of any fee or other charges by the Fund.

Distribution and Service Fees. Class A, Class C and Class R shares have in effect plans under Rule 12b-1 that allow each Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution of shares and service fees for personal and/or shareholder account services (so-called “12b-1 fees”).  Class C shares pay distribution fees to the principal underwriter of 0.75% of average daily net assets annually. Class R shares pay distribution fees to the principal underwriter of 0.25% annually of average daily net assets and such fees are paid to financial intermediaries. Although there is no present intention to do so, Class R shares could pay distribution fees of up to 0.50% annually upon Trustee approval.  Because these fees are paid from Fund assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase your cost over time and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.  The principal underwriter generally compensates financial intermediaries on sales of Class C shares (except exchange transactions and reinvestments) in an amount equal to 1.00% of the purchase price of the shares.  After the first year, such financial intermediaries also receive 0.75% of the value of outstanding Class C shares sold by such financial intermediaries in annual distribution fees.  With respect to purchases of Class C shares by certain employer sponsored retirement plans, the principal underwriter does not compensate the financial intermediary at the time of sale.  In such cases, the financial intermediary receives 0.75% of the value of outstanding Class C shares sold by such financial intermediary in annual distribution fees immediately after the sale. Class C and Class R shares also pay service fees to the principal underwriter equal to 0.25% of average daily net assets annually.  Class A shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 0.30% (0.25% in the case of Short Duration Strategic Income Fund) of average daily net assets annually.  After the sale of Class A shares, the principal underwriter receives the Class A distribution and service fees and


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds85Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



generally the financial intermediary receives such fees immediately after the sale.  After the sale of Class C shares, the principal underwriter generally receives the Class C service fees for one year, thereafter financial intermediaries generally receive such fees. After the sale of Class R shares, the principal underwriter generally pays service fees to financial intermediaries based on the value of shares sold by such intermediaries.  With respect to purchases of Class C shares by certain employer sponsored retirement plans, the financial intermediary receives the above described service fees from the principal underwriter immediately after the sale.  Such amounts are generally paid to financial intermediaries by the principal underwriter based on the value of shares sold by such financial intermediaries for shareholder servicing performed by such intermediaries.  Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the sales charge rule of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

More information about Fund sales charges is available free of charge on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com and in the SAI.  Please consult the Eaton Vance website for any updates to Fund sales charge information before making a purchase of Fund shares.  Please consult your financial intermediary with respect to any sales charge variations listed on Appendix A.

Redeeming Shares

You can redeem shares in any of the following ways:

By Mail

Send your request to the transfer agent (see back cover for address). The request must be signed exactly as your account is registered (for instance, a joint account must be signed by all registered owners to be accepted) and a Medallion signature guarantee may be required.  Circumstances that may require a Medallion signature guarantee include, but are not limited to, requests to distribute redemption proceeds to a party other than the registered account owner(s); requests to mail redemption proceeds to an address other than the address of record; requests to distribute proceeds to a bank account not on file; requests to re-issue uncashed checks representing redemption proceeds; or transaction requests from an account beneficiary when an account owner is deceased.  You can obtain a Medallion signature guarantee at banks, savings and loan institutions, credit unions, securities dealers, securities exchanges, clearing agencies and registered securities associations that participate in The Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, Inc. (STAMP, Inc.).  Only Medallion signature guarantees issued in accordance with STAMP, Inc. will be accepted.  You may be asked to provide additional documents if your shares are registered in the name of a corporation, partnership or fiduciary.

By Telephone

Certain shareholders can redeem by calling 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Proceeds of a telephone redemption are generally limited to $100,000 per account (which may include shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds) and can be sent only to the account address or to a bank pursuant to prior instructions.

By Internet

Certain shareholders can redeem by logging on to the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com. Proceeds of internet redemptions are generally limited to $100,000 per account (which may include shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds) and can be sent only to the account address or to a bank pursuant to prior instructions.  

For Additional Information

Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Through a Financial Intermediary

Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting the order promptly.  A financial intermediary may charge a fee for this service.

A redemption may be requested by sending a Medallion signature guaranteed letter of instruction to the transfer agent (see back cover for address) or, for telephone redemptions as described above, by calling 1-800-262-1122. Certain redemption requests, including those involving shares held by certain corporations, trusts or certain other entities and shares that are subject to certain fiduciary arrangements, may require additional documentation and may be redeemed


Eaton Vance Global Income Funds86Prospectus dated March 1, 2023 



only by mail.  The Funds' transfer agent or your financial intermediary must receive your redemption in proper form (meaning that it is complete and contains all necessary information) no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) for your redemption to be effected at that day’s net asset value.  Redemption proceeds are reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC and any federal income and state tax required to be withheld.  

Redemption proceeds typically are paid to the redeeming shareholder in cash up to two business days after the redemption, but payment could take up to seven days, as permitted by the 1940 Act for the reasons discussed below.  The actual number of days following receipt of a redemption request in which the Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds generally will depend on how you hold your shares with the Fund.  

If your shares are held in a “street name” account with a financial intermediary (see “Shareholder Account Features – ‘Street Name’ Accounts”), your intermediary will elect through National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) to settle redemptions either one business day or two business days after the redemption date and redemption proceeds normally will be wired to your financial intermediary on the settlement date pursuant to that election.  

If your shares are held directly with the Funds' transfer agent, redemptions normally will be settled in one business day after the redemption date and redemption proceeds will be sent by regular mail on such date.  However, if you have given proper written authorization in advance, you may request that redemption proceeds be wired on the settlement date directly to your bank account in any bank in the United States.  While not currently charged by a Fund, you may be required to pay a wire transfer fee by your bank. If you request expedited mail delivery of your redemption proceeds and the Fund is able to accommodate your request, charges may apply. You may redeem all or a portion of the shares from your account on any day the Fund is open for business, provided the amount requested is not on hold or held in escrow pursuant to a statement of intention.  When you purchase by check or with ACH funds transfer, the purchase will be on hold for up to 10 days from the date of receipt.  During the hold period, redemption proceeds will not be sent until the transfer agent is reasonably satisfied that the purchase payment has been collected.  

Each Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests by (i) distributing any cash holdings, (ii) selling portfolio investments and/or (iii) borrowing from a bank under a line of credit.  In addition to the foregoing, the Fund also may distribute securities as payment (a so-called “redemption in-kind”), in which case the redeeming shareholder may pay fees and commissions to convert the securities to cash.  Unless requested by a shareholder, each Fund generally expects to limit use of redemption in-kind to stressed market conditions, but is permitted to do so in other circumstances.  A shareholder who wishes to receive redemption proceeds in-kind must notify a Fund on or before submitting the redemption request by calling 1-800-262-1122. Securities distributed in a redemption in-kind would be valued pursuant to each Fund’s valuation procedures and selected by the investment adviser. If a shareholder receives securities in a redemption in-kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash and the value of such securities would be subject to price fluctuations until sold.  There can be no assuran