Form 485BPOS

THE PAYDEN & RYGEL INVESTMENT GROUP

PAYDEN FUNDS

PAYDEN CASH RESERVES MONEY MARKET FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PBHXX

PAYDEN LIMITED MATURITY FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYLMX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYLSX

PAYDEN LOW DURATION FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYSBX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYLDX

PAYDEN U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYUSX

PAYDEN GNMA FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYGNX

PAYDEN CORE BOND FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYCBX

Adviser Class — Ticker Symbol PYCWX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYCSX

PAYDEN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYSGX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYSIX

PAYDEN ABSOLUTE RETURN BOND FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYARX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYAIX

PAYDEN CORPORATE BOND FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYACX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYCTX

PAYDEN HIGH INCOME FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYHRX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYCHX

PAYDEN FLOATING RATE FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYFRX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYFIX

PAYDEN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SOCIAL IMPACT FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYCRX

PAYDEN GLOBAL LOW DURATION FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYGSX

PAYDEN GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYGFX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYGIX

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYEMX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYEIX

Adviser Class — Ticker Symbol PYEWX

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYELX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYILX

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS CORPORATE BOND FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYCEX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYCIX

PAYDEN EQUITY INCOME FUND

Investor Class — Ticker Symbol PYVLX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PYVSX

Adviser Class — Ticker Symbol PYVAX

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND

Adviser Class — Ticker Symbol PKCBX

Retirement Class — Ticker Symbol PKCRX

SI Class — Ticker Symbol PKBIX

Institutional Class — Ticker Symbol PKCIX

333 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90071

1-800-572-9336

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

February 28, 2023

The Payden & Rygel Investment Group (the “P&R Trust”) is a professionally managed, open-end management investment company with the nineteen funds listed above available for investment. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) contains information about the nineteen funds listed above, and it contains information in addition to the information set forth in the following prospectuses: (1) the prospectus dated February 28, 2023 for the Investor Class of shares for each of the 19 Payden Funds; (2) the prospectus dated February 28, 2023 for the Adviser Class of shares for each of the Payden Core Bond, Payden Emerging Markets Bond and Payden Equity Income Funds; (3) the prospectus dated February 28, 2023 for the SI Class of shares for each of the Payden Limited Maturity, Payden Low Duration, Payden Core Bond, Payden Strategic Income, Payden Absolute Return, Payden Corporate Bond, Payden High Income, Payden Floating Rate, Payden Global Fixed Income, Payden Emerging Markets Bond, Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond, Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond, and Payden Equity Income Funds; and (4) the four prospectuses, each dated February 28, 2023, for the Adviser Class of shares, Retirement Class of shares, SI Class of shares, and Institutional Class of shares, respectively, for the Payden Managed Income Fund. The seven prospectuses shall be referred to in this SAI individually as a “Prospectus,” and collectively as the “Prospectuses.” The SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. In addition the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 for the Payden Funds is incorporated by reference into this SAI. You may order copies of each of the Prospectuses and of each of the Annual Reports without charge at the address or telephone number listed above.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE P&R TRUST

     3  

FUNDAMENTAL AND OPERATING POLICIES

     3  

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES/TECHNIQUES AND RELATED RISKS

     7  

DISCLOSURE OF FUND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

     46  

MANAGEMENT OF THE P&R TRUST

     47  

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     56  

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     59  

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

     71  

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS — BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     74  

PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

     75  

TAXATION

     76  

FUND PERFORMANCE

     80  

OTHER INFORMATION

     82  

 

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THE P&R TRUST

The P&R Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on January 22, 1992. The P&R Trust is a professionally managed, open-end management investment company which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The P&R Trust currently offers shares of each of the nineteen funds listed under the heading “The Payden & Rygel Investment Group” on the cover page of this SAI. These nineteen funds are comprised of the following:

 

   

Payden Funds. The following nineteen funds of the P&R Trust are known (and sometimes referred to in this SAI) as the “Payden Funds”: Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, Payden Limited Maturity Fund, Payden Low Duration Fund, Payden U.S. Government Fund, Payden GNMA Fund, Payden Core Bond Fund, Payden Strategic Income Fund, Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund, Payden Corporate Bond Fund, Payden High Income Fund, Payden Floating Rate Fund, Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund, Payden Global Low Duration Fund, Payden Global Fixed Income Fund, Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund, Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund, Payden Equity Income Fund, and Payden Managed Income Fund. Payden & Rygel (“Payden”) is the investment adviser to the Payden Funds.

Throughout this SAI when discussing these nineteen funds generally, the funds may be referred to individually as a “Fund,” and collectively as the “Funds.”

FUNDAMENTAL AND OPERATING POLICIES

Each Fund’s investment objective is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval, as described in the “Voting” discussion in the “Other Information” section in this SAI. Any policy that is not specified in a Prospectus or in the SAI as being fundamental is a non-fundamental, or operating, policy. If the Board of Trustees for the P&R Trust (the “Board”) determines that a Fund’s investment objective may best be achieved by changing a non-fundamental policy, the Board may make such change without shareholder approval. Any investment restriction which involves a maximum percentage of securities or assets will not be violated unless an excess occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition of securities or other assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund.

PAYDEN FUNDS — FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

As a matter of fundamental policy:

(1) BORROWING. No Payden Fund may borrow money, except as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes or for the clearance of transactions, and then only in amounts not exceeding 30% of its total assets valued at market (for this purpose, reverse repurchase agreements and delayed delivery transactions covered by segregated accounts are not considered to be borrowings).

 

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(2) COMMODITIES. No Payden Fund may purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that (i) each Payden Fund, other than the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, may enter into financial and currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts, (ii) each Payden Fund, other than the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market, Payden U.S. Government, Payden GNMA and Payden California Municipal Social Impact Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (the Payden Funds do not consider such contracts to be commodities), (iii) each Payden Fund, other than the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market and Payden U.S. Government Funds, may invest in instruments which have the characteristics of both futures contracts and securities and (iv) each Payden Fund, other than the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, may engage in swap agreements and options on swap agreements (the Payden Funds do not consider swap agreements and options on swap agreements to be commodities).

(3) LOANS. No Payden Fund may make loans, except that (i) each Payden Fund may purchase money market securities and enter into repurchase agreements, (ii) each Payden Fund may acquire bonds, debentures, notes and other debt securities, and (iii) each Payden Fund, other than the Payden U.S. Government Fund, may lend portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33% of its total assets (with the value of all loan collateral being “marked-to-market” daily at no less than 100% of the loan amount).

(4) MARGIN. No Payden Fund may purchase securities on margin, except that (i) each Payden Fund may use short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases of portfolio securities, and (ii) each Payden Fund, other than the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market and Payden U.S. Government Funds, may make margin deposits in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts.

(5) MORTGAGING. No Payden Fund may mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer any security owned by the Fund as security for indebtedness, except as may be necessary in connection with permissible borrowings and then only in amounts not exceeding 30% of the Fund’s total assets valued at market at the time of the borrowing.

(6) ASSETS INVESTED IN ANY ISSUER. No Payden Fund may purchase a security if, as a result, with respect to 50% of the Fund’s total assets, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

(7) SHARE OWNERSHIP OF ANY ISSUER. No Payden Fund may purchase a security if, as a result, with respect to 50% of the Fund’s total assets, more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer would be held by the Fund (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

(8) REAL ESTATE. No Payden Fund may purchase or sell real estate (although it may purchase securities secured by real estate partnerships or interests therein, or issued by companies or investment trusts which invest in real estate or interests therein) or real estate limited partnership interests.

(9) SHORT SALES. No Payden Fund may effect short sales of securities.

(10) UNDERWRITING. No Payden Fund may underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities in the ordinary course of pursuing its investment program.

(11) SENIOR SECURITIES. No Payden Fund may issue “senior securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) except as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

(12) GLOBAL DIVERSIFICATION. Under normal market conditions, each of the Payden Global Fixed Income and Payden Global Low Duration Funds invests at least 65% of its total assets in debt securities of issuers located in at least three countries (one of which may be the United States).

(13) TAX EXEMPT SECURITIES. Under normal market conditions, the Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets in a non-diversified portfolio of debt obligations issued by state and local governments, territories and possessions of the United States, regional government authorities, and their agencies and instrumentalities which provide interest income that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer at the time of original issuance, is exempt from Federal income taxes (“municipal securities”).

 

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(14) INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION. Each of the Payden Strategic Income, Payden Absolute Return Bond and Payden Equity Income Funds will not purchase any security which would cause 25% or more of its total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of any one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that (i) there is no limitation with respect to U.S. Government obligations and repurchase obligations secured by such obligations, (ii) wholly owned finance companies are considered to be in the industries of their parents, (iii) Standard and Poors Depository Receipts (“SPDRs”) and other similar derivative instruments are divided according to the industries of their underlying common stocks, and (iv) utilities are divided according to their services (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry). Each foreign government and supranational organization is considered to be an industry. Except as described above, no other Payden Fund is restricted from concentrating its investments in securities of any one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry.

(15) BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT. The Payden High Income Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities rated below investment grade, or those determined by Payden to be of comparable quality.

PAYDEN FUNDS — OPERATING POLICIES

As a matter of non-fundamental operating policy:

(1) CONTROL OF PORTFOLIO COMPANIES. No Payden Fund may invest in companies for the purpose of exercising management or control.

(2) ILLIQUID SECURITIES. No Payden Fund may purchase a security if, as a result of such purchase, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities or other securities that are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements which do not provide for payment within seven days. For this purpose, restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act may be determined to be liquid. In the case of the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, at least 10% of the Fund’s total assets must be invested in securities with daily liquidity (i.e., cash, direct obligations of the U.S. Government and securities that will mature or be exercisable on demand within one business day) and at least 30% of its total assets must be invested in securities with weekly liquidity (i.e., securities with daily liquidity, securities that will mature or be exercisable on demand within five business days and securities of U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities that are issued at a discount to the principal at maturity and have a remaining maturity of 60 days or less). Payden will take steps to keep the amount of illiquid securities, securities with daily liquidity and securities with weekly liquidity within the prescribed limitations.

(3) INVESTMENT COMPANIES. No Payden Fund may purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(4) OIL AND GAS PROGRAMS. No Payden Fund may purchase participations or other direct interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs or leases.

(5) BORROWING. The Payden U.S. Government Fund may not borrow amounts exceeding 33% of total assets valued at market (including reverse repurchase agreements and delayed delivery transactions).

(6) TAX EXEMPT SECURITIES. Under normal market conditions, the Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets in securities of the State of California, local governments and governmental authorities within California and their agencies and instrumentalities which provide interest income that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer at the time of original issuance, is exempt from California personal income taxes.

(7) CORPORATE BONDS. The Payden Corporate Bond Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in corporate bonds or similar debt instruments.

(8) INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES. The Payden Corporate Bond Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt instruments or similar income producing instruments that are rated investment grade, or those determined by Payden to be of comparable quality.

 

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PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND — FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

As a matter of fundamental policy:

(1) BORROWING. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund.

(2) COMMODITIES. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Payden Managed Income Fund (i) may enter into financial and currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts, (ii) may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (the Payden Managed Income Fund does not consider such contracts to be commodities), (iii) may invest in instruments which have the characteristics of both futures contracts and securities and (iv) may engage in swap agreements and options on swap agreements (the Payden Managed Income Fund does not consider swap agreements and options on swap agreements to be commodities).

(3) LOANS. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not make loans, except that the Payden Managed Income Fund (i) may purchase money market securities and enter into repurchase agreements, (ii) may acquire bonds, debentures, notes and other debt securities, and (iii) may lend portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33% of its total assets (with the value of all loan collateral being “marked-to-market” daily at no less than 100% of the loan amount).

(4) MARGIN. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not purchase securities on margin, except that the Payden Managed Income Fund may (i) use short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases of portfolio securities, and (ii) may make margin deposits in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts.

(5) MORTGAGING. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer any security owned by the Fund as security for indebtedness, except as may be necessary in connection with permissible borrowings and then only in amounts not exceeding 30% of the Fund’s total assets valued at market at the time of the borrowing.

(6) ASSETS INVESTED IN ANY ISSUER. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not purchase a security if, as a result, with respect to 50% of the Fund’s total assets, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

(7) SHARE OWNERSHIP OF ANY ISSUER. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not purchase a security if, as a result, with respect to 50% of the Fund’s total assets, more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer would be held by the Fund (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

(8) REAL ESTATE. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not purchase or sell real estate (although it may purchase securities secured by real estate partnerships or interests therein, or issued by companies or investment trusts which invest in real estate or interests therein) or real estate limited partnership interests.

(9) SHORT SALES. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not effect short sales of securities.

 

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(10) UNDERWRITING. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities in the ordinary course of pursuing its investment program.

(11) SENIOR SECURITIES. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not issue “senior securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) except as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

(12) INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION. The Payden Managed Income Fund is not restricted from concentrating its investments in securities of any one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry.

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND — OPERATING POLICIES

As a matter of non-fundamental operating policy:

(1) CONTROL OF PORTFOLIO COMPANIES. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not invest in companies for the purpose of exercising management or control.

(2) ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not purchase a security if, as a result of such purchase, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities or other securities that are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements which do not provide for payment within seven days. For this purpose, restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act may be determined to be liquid.

(3) OIL AND GAS PROGRAMS. The Payden Managed Income Fund may not purchase participations or other direct interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs or leases.

(4) INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION: For purposes of the 1940 Act, concentration occurs when at least 25% of a fund’s assets are invested in one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry. The Payden Managed Income Fund has a non-fundamental policy against concentration. The Payden Managed Income Fund will not purchase any security which would cause 25% or more of its total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of any one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that (i) there is no limitation with respect to U.S. Government obligations and repurchase obligations secured by such obligations, (ii) wholly owned finance companies are considered to be in the industries of their parents, (iii) Standard and Poor’s Depository Receipts (“SPDRs”) and other similar derivative instruments are divided according to the industries of their underlying common stocks, and (iv) utilities are divided according to their services (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry). Each foreign government and supranational organization is considered to be an industry.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES/TECHNIQUES AND RELATED RISKS

The investment objectives and general investment policies of each of the Funds are described in each Fund’s Prospectus. Additional information concerning investment strategies/techniques and the characteristics of certain of the Funds’ investments, as well as related risks, is set forth below.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

With the exception of the Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund, each of the Payden Funds is classified as a “diversified” fund. The Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” fund. As provided in the 1940 Act, a diversified fund has, with respect to at least 75% of its total assets, no more than 5% of its total assets invested in the securities of one issuer, plus cash, Government securities, and securities of other investment companies. Because the investment adviser may from time to time invest a large percentage of a non-diversified Fund’s assets in securities of a limited number of issuers, each non-diversified Fund may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. However, each Fund intends to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and therefore is subject to diversification limits requiring that, as of the close of each fiscal quarter, (i) no more than 25% of its total assets may be invested in the securities of a single issuer (other than U.S. Government securities), and (ii) with respect to 50% of its total assets, no more than 5% of such assets may be invested in the securities of a single issuer (other than U.S. Government securities) or invested in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. The Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund may invest no more than 1/2 of 1% of its total assets in investments other than cash, U.S. Government debt securities, and repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by cash or U.S. Government debt securities. As used herein, “first tier” means that the security is rated in the highest category for short-term securities by at least two nationally recognized rating services (or by one if only one rating service has rated the security) or, if unrated, is determined by Payden to be of comparable quality.

EQUITY AND EQUITY-BASED SECURITIES

Common Stocks

 

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Common stocks, the most familiar type of equity securities, represent an equity (ownership) interest in a corporation. Although common stocks have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices fluctuate based on changes in the issuer’s financial condition and prospects and on overall market and economic conditions. In addition, small companies and new companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, and may be dependent upon one person, or a few key persons, for management. The securities of such companies may be subject to more volatile market movements than securities of larger, more established companies, both because the securities typically are traded in lower volume and because the issuers typically are more subject to changes in earnings and prospects.

Preferred Stocks

Preferred stock, unlike common stock, offers a stated dividend rate payable from a corporation’s earnings. Such preferred stock dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative, participating, or auction rate. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, a negative feature when interest rates decline. Dividends on some preferred stock may be “cumulative,” requiring all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid. Preferred stock also generally has a preference over common stock on the distribution of a corporation’s assets in the event of liquidation of the corporation, and may be “participating,” which means that it may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases. The rights of preferred stock on the distribution of a corporation’s assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a corporation’s debt securities.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

A real estate investment trust (“REIT”) is a pooled investment vehicle that is organized as a corporation or business trust which invests primarily in income producing real estate or real estate loans or interests. As indicated in the Prospectuses, certain of the Funds may invest in REITs. An investment in a REIT is subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general. These risks include, among others: possible declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds; overbuilding; extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition, property taxes and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; costs resulting from the clean-up of, and liability to third parties for damages resulting from, environmental problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured damages from floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters; limitations on and variations in rents; and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT’s investments are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, the REIT may be subject to certain of the foregoing risks to a greater extent. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act.

 

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REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investment in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.

Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities.

Depositary Receipts

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are used to invest in foreign issuers. Generally, an ADR is a dollar-denominated security issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which represents, and may be converted into, the underlying security that is issued by a foreign company. Generally, an EDR represents a similar securities arrangement but is issued by a European bank, while GDRs are issued by a depository. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be denominated in a currency different from the underlying securities into which they may be converted. Typically, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for issuance in U.S. securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for issuance in European securities markets. ADRs may be sponsored by the foreign issuer or may be unsponsored. Unsponsored ADRs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the foreign issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information regarding the issuer may not be as current as for sponsored ADRs, and the prices of unsponsored ADRs may be more volatile than if they were sponsored by the issuers of the underlying securities.

Convertible Securities and Warrants

A convertible security is a fixed income security (a debt instrument or preferred stock) which may be converted at a stated price or stated rate within a specified period of time into a certain quantity of the common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities are senior to common stock in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar non-convertible security), a convertible security also affords an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation attendant upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.

The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also affect the investment value of a convertible security. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security is increasingly influenced by its conversion value.

Although to a lesser extent than with fixed income securities generally, the market value of convertible debt securities tends to vary inversely with the level of interest rates. The value of the security declines as interest rates increase and increases as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stocks and, therefore, also will react to variations in the general market for equity securities. Although under normal market conditions longer term securities have greater yields than do shorter term securities of similar quality, they are subject to greater price fluctuations. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the instrument governing the convertible security. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.

Warrants give the holder the right to purchase a specified number of shares of the underlying stock at any time at a fixed price, but do not pay a fixed dividend. An investment in warrants involves certain risks, including the possible

 

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lack of a liquid market for resale, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and the possible failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment in the warrant). As a matter of operating policy, no Fund will invest more than 5% of its total assets in warrants.

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

U.S. Treasury Obligations

U.S. Treasury obligations are debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. They are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and differ mainly in the lengths of their maturities (e.g., Treasury bills mature in one year or less, and Treasury notes and bonds mature in two to 30 years).

U.S. Government Agency Securities

U.S. Government Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises and Federal agencies. These include securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Land Banks, Farmers Home Administration, Banks for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Financing Bank, Farm Credit Bank, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The principal and interest payments of some of these securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, although other types of U.S. Government Agency securities are not guaranteed by the United States. These securities may have maturities from one day to 30 years, are generally not callable and normally have interest rates that are fixed for the life of the security.

Inflation-Indexed Securities

Inflation-indexed fixed income securities are structured to provide protection against inflation and are issued by the U.S. and foreign governments, their agencies and instrumentalities and U.S. and foreign corporations. The value of principal or interest payments of an inflation-indexed security is adjusted periodically to track general movements of inflation in the country of issue.

As an example, a Fund may invest in U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (“TIPS”). Principal amounts of TIPS are adjusted daily based on changes in the rate of inflation (currently represented by the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) for All Urban Consumers, non-seasonally adjusted). The U.S. Treasury currently issues TIPS with maturities of five, 10 and 30 years. TIPS pay interest on a semi-annual basis, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. The interest rate on TIPS is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond may be paid on an increasing or decreasing principal value. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed even during a period of deflation. However, because the principal amount of TIPS would be adjusted downward during a period of deflation, the Fund will be subject to deflation risk with respect to its investments in these securities.

The value of inflation-indexed securities such as TIPS generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of TIPS. Although the principal value of TIPS declines in periods of deflation, holders at maturity receive no less than the par value of the bond. However, if the Fund purchases TIPS in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, the Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation. If inflation is lower than expected during the period the Fund holds TIPS, the Fund may earn less on the security than on a conventional bond.

The daily adjustment of the principal value of TIPS is currently tied to the non-seasonally adjusted CPI for All Urban Consumers, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates monthly. The CPI is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. There can be no

 

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assurance that such index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. In addition, calculation of the CPI includes a three-month lag for purposes of determining the principal value of TIPS, which, consequently, could have a negative impact on the value of TIPS under certain market conditions.

Foreign Government Obligations

Foreign government obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed by a supranational organization, or a foreign sovereign government or one of its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, including a foreign state, province or municipality.

Bank Obligations

Bank obligations include certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and other debt obligations. Certificates of deposit are short-term obligations of commercial banks. A bankers’ acceptance is a time draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower, usually in connection with an international commercial transaction.

Loan Participations and Assignments

Loan participations typically represent direct participation in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. Such indebtedness may be secured or unsecured. A Fund may participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a loan, becoming a part lender. When purchasing loan participations, a Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The participation interests in which a Fund intends to invest may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating service.

A loan is often administered by an agent bank acting as agent for all holders. The agent bank administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. In addition, the agent bank is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the corporate borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions that are parties to the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness, a Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower.

A financial institution’s employment as the agent bank might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement should remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of a Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or governmental agency) similar risks may arise.

Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the corporate borrower for payment of principal and interest. If a Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price and yield could be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured offer a Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated.

A Fund may limit the amount of its total assets that it will invest in any one issuer or in issuers within the same industry. For purposes of such limits, a Fund generally will treat the corporate borrower as the “issuer” of indebtedness held by the Fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other lending institution serves as a financial intermediary between a Fund and the corporate borrower, if the participation does not shift to the Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the corporate borrower, SEC interpretations require the Fund to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the corporate borrower as “issuers” for the purposes of determining whether the Fund has invested more than 5% of its total assets in a

 

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single issuer. Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict a Fund’s ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.

Loans and other types of direct indebtedness may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. Consequently, some indebtedness may be difficult or impossible to dispose of readily at what the relevant Fund’s investment adviser believes to be a fair price. In addition, valuation of illiquid indebtedness involves a greater degree of judgment in determining a Fund’s net asset value than if that value were based on available market quotations, and could result in significant variation in the Fund’s daily share price. At the same time, some loan interests are traded among certain financial institutions and accordingly may be deemed liquid. As the overnight market for different types of indebtedness develops, the liquidity of these instruments is expected to improve. Each of the Funds currently intends to treat indebtedness for which there is no readily available market as illiquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitations on illiquid investments. Investments in loan participation are considered to be debt obligations for purposes of investment restrictions relating to the lending of funds or assets by a Fund.

Investments in loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution’s interests with respect to the loan may involve additional risks to a Fund. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, a Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, each of the Funds relies on the research of the Fund’s investment adviser in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

Senior Loans

Each Fund, and in particular the Payden Floating Rate Fund, may invest in senior floating rate loans made to or issued by U.S. or non-U.S. banks or other corporations (“Senior Loans”). Senior Loans include senior floating rate loans and institutionally traded senior floating rate debt obligations issued by asset-backed pools and other issuers, and interests therein. Senior Loan interests may be acquired from U.S. or foreign commercial banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other financial institutions that have made loans or are members of a lending syndicate or from other holders of loan interests. Senior Loans typically pay interest at rates which are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate plus a premium. Senior Loans are typically of below investment grade quality. Senior Loans generally (but not always) hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a borrower and are often secured with collateral.

Senior Loans in which a Fund may invest may be collateralized or uncollateralized. To the extent that the collateral, if any, securing a Senior Loan consists of the stock of the borrower’s subsidiaries or other affiliates, a Fund will be subject to the risk that this stock will decline in value. Such a decline, whether as a result of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, could cause the Senior Loan to be undercollateralized or unsecured. In most credit agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In addition, a Senior Loan may be guaranteed by, or fully secured by assets of, shareholders or owners, even if the Senior Loans are not otherwise collateralized by assets of the borrower. There may be temporary periods when the principal asset held by a borrower is the stock of a related company, which may not legally be pledged to secure a secured Senior Loan. On occasions when such stock cannot be pledged, the secured Senior Loan will be temporarily unsecured until the stock can be pledged or is exchanged for or replaced by other assets, which will be pledged as security for such Senior Loan. However, the borrower’s ability to dispose of such securities, other than in connection with such pledge or replacement, will be strictly limited for the protection of the holders of secured Senior Loans.

The primary risk in an investment in Senior Loans and other loans in which the Funds may invest is that the borrower may be unable to meet its interest and/or principal payment obligations. The occurrence of such a default with regard to a Senior Loan or other loan in which a Fund has invested would have an adverse effect on a Fund’s net asset value. In addition, a sudden and significant increase in market interest rates may cause a decline in the value of these investments and the Fund’s net asset value. Other factors, such as rating downgrades, credit deterioration, a large downward movement in stock prices, a disparity in supply and demand of certain securities or market conditions that reduce liquidity could reduce the value of Senior Loans or other loans held by a Fund, impairing the Fund’s net asset value. In addition, Senior Loans and other loans in which the Funds invest may not be considered “securities” for certain purposes and purchasers, such as a Fund, and therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

In addition to the risks typically associated with debt securities and loans generally, Senior Loans are also subject to the risk that a court could subordinate a Senior Loan, which typically holds a senior position in the capital structure of a borrower, to presently existing or future indebtedness or take other action detrimental to the holders of Senior Loans. If a borrower becomes involved in bankruptcy proceedings, a court potentially could invalidate a Fund’s security interest in any loan collateral or subordinate the Fund’s rights under a secured Senior Loan to the interests of the borrower’s unsecured creditors. Such action by a court could be based, for example, on a “fraudulent conveyance” claim to the effect that the borrower did not receive fair consideration for granting the security interest in the loan collateral to the Fund. For secured Senior Loans made in connection with a highly leveraged transaction, consideration for granting a security interest may be deemed inadequate if the proceeds of such loan were not received or retained by the borrower, but were instead paid to other persons, such as shareholders of the borrower, in an amount which left the borrower insolvent or without sufficient working capital. There are also other events, such as the failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings, which could lead to the invalidation of a Fund’s security interest in any loan collateral. If a Fund’s security interest in loan collateral is invalidated or a secured Senior Loan is subordinated to other debt of a borrower in bankruptcy or other proceedings, it is unlikely that the Fund would be able to recover the full amount of the principal and interest due on the secured Senior Loan.

If a borrower defaults on a collateralized Senior Loan, a Fund may receive assets other than cash or securities in full or partial satisfaction of the borrower’s obligation under the Senior Loan. Those assets may be illiquid, and the Fund might not be able to realize the benefit of the assets for legal, practical or other reasons. The Fund might hold those assets until the relevant Fund’s investment adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of them. If the collateral becomes illiquid or loses some or all of its value, the collateral may not be sufficient to protect the Fund in the event of a default of scheduled interest or principal payments.

A Fund may invest in Senior Loans that are not secured by any specific collateral of the borrower. If the borrower is unable to pay interest or defaults in the payment of principal, there will be no collateral on which the Fund can foreclose. Therefore, these loans typically present greater risks than collateralized Senior Loans.

Due to restrictions on transfers in loan agreements and the nature of the private syndication of Senior Loans including, for example, the lack of publicly-available information, some Senior Loans are not as easily purchased or sold as publicly-traded securities. In addition, a Fund may not receive proceeds from the disposition of Senior Loans and other loans in which the Fund invests for an extended period of time, which in some cases could exceed several weeks or longer. The Fund will not receive sales proceeds until settlement occurs, which may constrain the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other obligations. For these and other reasons, some Senior Loans and other Fund investments are illiquid, which may make it difficult for a Fund to value them or dispose of them at an acceptable price. Direct investments in Senior Loans and investments in participation interests in or assignments of Senior Loans may be limited.

Corporate Debt Securities

Investments in U.S. dollar denominated securities of domestic or foreign issuers are limited to corporate debt securities (corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar corporate debt instruments) which meet the minimum rating criteria set forth in the applicable Prospectus. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. Credit ratings help to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of securities, not their market value. The rating of an issuer is also heavily weighted by past developments and does not necessarily reflect probable future conditions. There is frequently a lag between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. As credit rating agencies may fail to timely change credit ratings of securities to reflect subsequent events, the relevant Fund’s investment adviser will also monitor issuers of such securities.

High Yield Bonds

Below investment grade debt securities, commonly referred to as “high yield bonds” or “junk bonds” are considered to be speculative and involve a greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than higher rated securities. High yield securities are generally subject to greater credit risk than higher-rated securities because the issuers are more vulnerable to economic downturns, higher interest rates or adverse issuer-specific developments. In addition, the prices of high yield securities are generally subject to greater market risk and therefore react more sharply to changes in interest rates. Their value and liquidity may also be diminished by adverse publicity and investor perceptions. Also, legislative proposals limiting the tax benefits to the issuers or holders of taxable high yield securities or requiring federally insured savings and loan institutions to reduce their holdings of taxable high yield securities have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on the market value of these securities.

Because high yield securities are frequently traded only in markets where the number of potential purchasers and sellers, if any, is limited, the ability of a Fund to sell these securities at their fair value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in the financial markets may be limited. In such an event, such securities could be regarded as illiquid for the purposes of the limitation on the purchase of illiquid securities. Thinly traded high yield securities may be especially volatile and more difficult to value accurately for the purpose of determining a Fund’s net asset value. Also, because the market for certain high yield securities is relatively new, that market may be particularly sensitive to an economic downturn or a general increase in interest rates.

 

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Mortgage-Related Securities

Mortgage-related securities are interests in pools of mortgage loans made to U.S. residential home buyers, including mortgage loans made by savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, commercial banks and others. Mortgage-related securities may be assembled and issued by governmental, government-related or non-governmental entities, and provide regular payments which consist of interest and, in most cases, principal. In contrast, other forms of debt securities normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. In effect, payments on most mortgage-related securities are a “pass-through” of the payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments to holders of mortgage-related securities are caused by repayments resulting from the sale of the underlying property, refinancing or foreclosure, net of fees or costs that may be incurred. A Fund may also invest in debt securities which are secured with collateral consisting of U.S. mortgage-related securities, and in other types of U.S. mortgage-related securities.

If a Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities that are “subordinated” to other interests in the same mortgage pool, the Fund as a holder of those securities may only receive payments after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund as a holder of such subordinated securities, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless; the risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include so-called “sub-prime” mortgages. An unexpectedly high or low rate of prepayments on a pool’s underlying mortgages may have similar effects on subordinated securities. A mortgage pool may issue securities subject to various levels of subordination; the risk of non-payment affects securities at each level, although the risk is greater in the case of more highly subordinated securities.

Among other risks, mortgage-related securities can be highly sensitive to rising interest rates, such that even small movements can cause an investing Fund to lose value. The Federal Reserve increased interest rates multiple times over the last year and, as a result, contributed, to softening of residential housing prices. When interest rates rise, individual mortgage holders are less likely to exercise prepayment options, which can result in additional volatility and downward pressure on the value of mortgage-related securities. There can be no assurances the U.S. Government will support the mortgage-related services industry, as it has in the past.

U.S. Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Interests in pools of mortgage-related securities differ from other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates.

Instead, these securities provide a monthly payment which consists of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments are caused by repayments of principal resulting from the sale of the underlying residential property, refinancing or foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred. Some mortgage-related securities (such as securities issued by the GNMA) are described as “modified pass-through.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, at the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may have the effect of shortening or extending the effective duration of the security relative to what was anticipated at the time of purchase. As prepayment rates of individual pools of mortgage loans vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a particular security. To the extent that unanticipated rates of prepayment on underlying mortgages increase the effective duration of a mortgage-related security, the volatility of such security can be expected to increase. If the residential mortgage market in the United States experiences difficulties, the performance and market value of certain of the Funds mortgage-related investments may be adversely affected. Delinquencies and losses on residential mortgage loans (especially subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) may increase, and a decline in or flattening of housing values may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Borrowers with adjustable rate mortgage loans are more sensitive to changes in interest rates, which affect their monthly mortgage payments, and may be unable to secure replacement mortgages at comparably low interest rates.

 

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Agency Mortgage-Related Securities. The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage-related securities is GNMA. Principal and interest payments of GNMA securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government; however, this support does not apply to losses resulting from declines in the market value of GNMA securities. GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by institutions approved by GNMA (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the “FHA”), or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (the “VA”).

Government-related guarantors (i.e., guarantors that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government) include FNMA and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). FNMA is a government-sponsored enterprise (“GSE”). FNMA purchases conventional residential mortgages (i.e., mortgages that are not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a GSE that issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which are pass-through securities, each representing an undivided interest in a pool of residential mortgages. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of FNMA and FHLMC and of any stockholder, officer or director of FNMA and FHLMC with respect to FNMA and FHLMC and the assets of FNMA and FHLMC. FHFA selected a new chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for each of FNMA and FHLMC.

In connection with the conservatorship, the U.S. Treasury entered into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with each of FNMA and FHLMC pursuant to which the U.S. Treasury agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of $100 billion of each of FNMA and FHLMC to maintain a positive net worth in each enterprise. These agreements contain various covenants that severely limit each enterprise’s operations. In exchange for entering into these agreements, the U.S. Treasury received $1 billion of each enterprise’s senior preferred stock and warrants to purchase 79.9% of each enterprise’s common stock. In February 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was doubling the size of its commitment to each enterprise under the Senior Preferred Stock Program to $200 billion. In December 2009, the U.S. Treasury amended its Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements to remove its $200 billion cap per institution to accommodate any cumulative reduction in net worth over the next three years. The U.S. Treasury’s obligations under the Senior Preferred Stock Program are for an indefinite period of time. In August 2012, the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements were further amended to, among other things, accelerate the wind down of the retained portfolio, terminate the requirement that FHMA and FHLMC each pay a 10% dividend annually on all amounts received under the funding commitment, and require the submission of an annual risk management plan to the U.S. Treasury. Effective January 1, 2018, the U.S. Treasury further amended the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement to: (1) replace the fixed dividend requirement and allow FNMA and FHLMC to pay a variable dividend based on net worth; (2) permit FNMA and FHLMC to maintain a capital buffer of $3 billion each to cover income fluctuations over the normal course of business, which such buffer is automatically terminable, with respect to FNMA or FHLMC individually, if FNMA or FHLMC fails to declare and pay a full quarterly dividend; and (3) increase U.S. Treasury’s liquidation preference by $3 billion.

On September 30, 2019, FHFA announced amendments to the respective Senior Preferred Stock Certificates that would permit FNMA and FHLMC to retain earnings beyond the $3 billion capital reserves previously allowed. Each are now permitted to retain capital reserves of $25 billion and $20 billion, respectively.

On January 14, 2021, FHFA and the U.S. Treasury further amended the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements to create momentum for the GSEs’ eventual release from conservatorship and constrain their activities well after their release. To create momentum for the GSEs’ release, provisions allow the GSEs to build capital to the level required under the FHFA’s capital requirements and provide certain milestones for the GSEs’ release. To constrain the risk that the GSEs can take after conservatorship, there are also restrictions on the GSEs’ business practices, such as caps on the use of cash windows (loans acquired for cash consideration) and limits on the amount of mortgages the GSEs can purchase that are “high risk” or that support second homes or investor properties.

On September 14, 2021, FHFA and the U.S. Treasury suspended certain provisions added to the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements on January 14, 2021. The suspended provisions include limits on the GSEs’ cash windows, multifamily lending, loans with higher risk characteristics, and second homes and investment properties. The GSEs will continue to build capital under the continuing provisions of the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements. FHFA also continues to direct the GSEs to operate in a safe and sound manner consistent with their statutory mission, and to foster resilient housing finance markets.

 

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FNMA and FHLMC are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements are intended to enhance each of FNMA’s and FHLMC’s ability to meet its obligations. The FHFA has indicated that the conservatorship of each enterprise will end when the director of FHFA determines that FHFA’s plan to restore the enterprises to a safe and solvent condition has been completed. Although the U.S. Government has provided financial support to FNMA and FHLMC in the past (including as part of the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements), no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support in the future to these or other U.S. Government agencies, authorities or instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Several bills have been introduced in Congress during the last several years concerning the future status of FHLMC, FNMA, and the mortgage finance system, including bills which provided for the wind down of FHLMC and FNMA or modification of the terms of the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements.

Under the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008 (the “Reform Act”), which was included as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, FHFA, as conservator or receiver, has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by FNMA or FHLMC prior to FHFA’s appointment as conservator or receiver, as applicable, if FHFA determines, in its sole discretion, that performance of the contract is burdensome and that repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of FNMA’s or FHLMC’s affairs. The Reform Act requires FHFA to exercise its right to repudiate any contract within a reasonable period of time after its appointment as conservator or receiver. In a final rule published in June 2011, FHFA defined a reasonable period of time following appointment of a conservator or receiver to be eighteen months.

FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, indicated that it had no intention to repudiate the guaranty obligations of FNMA or FHLMC because FHFA viewed repudiation as incompatible with the goals of the conservatorship. However, in the event that FHFA, as conservator or if it is later appointed as receiver for FNMA or FHLMC, were to repudiate any such guaranty obligation, the conservatorship or receivership estate, as applicable, would be liable for actual direct compensatory damages in accordance with the provisions of the Reform Act. Any such liability could be satisfied only to the extent of FNMA’s or FHLMC’s assets available therefor.

In the event of repudiation, the payments of interest to holders of FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed securities would be reduced if payments on the mortgage loans represented in the mortgage loan groups related to such mortgage-backed securities are not made by the borrowers or advanced by the servicer. Any actual direct compensatory damages for repudiating these guaranty obligations may not be sufficient to offset any shortfalls experienced by such mortgage-backed security holders. Such events could negatively impact markets and particular assets held by a Fund.

Further, in its capacity as conservator or receiver, FHFA has the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of FNMA or FHLMC without having to seek the approval, assignment or consent of any person. Although FHFA has stated that it has no present intention to do so, if FHFA, as conservator or receiver, were to transfer any such guaranty obligation to another party, holders of FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed securities (including an investing Fund) would have to rely on that party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligation and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.

In addition, certain rights provided to holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC under the operative documents related to such securities may not be enforced against FHFA, or enforcement of such rights may be delayed, during the conservatorship or any future receivership. The operative documents for FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities may provide (or with respect to securities issued prior to the date of the appointment of the conservator may have provided) that upon the occurrence of an event of default on the part of FNMA or FHLMC, in its capacity as guarantor, which includes the appointment of a conservator or receiver, holders of such mortgage-backed securities have the right to replace FNMA or FHLMC as trustee if the requisite percentage of mortgage-backed securities holders consent.

 

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The Reform Act prevents mortgage-backed security holders from enforcing such rights if the event of default arises solely because a conservator or receiver has been appointed. The Reform Act also provides that no person may exercise any right or power to terminate, accelerate or declare an event of default under certain contracts to which FNMA or FHLMC is a party, or obtain possession of or exercise control over any property of FNMA or FHLMC, or affect any contractual rights of FNMA or FHLMC, without the approval of FHFA, as conservator or receiver, for a period of 45 or 90 days following the appointment of FHFA as conservator or receiver, respectively.

The FHFA’s continuing conservatorship of FNMA and FHLMC and its ultimate resolution may adversely affect the real estate market, the value of real estate-related assets generally and markets generally. In addition, there may be proposals from the U.S. Congress or other branches of the U.S. Government regarding the conservatorship, including regarding reforming FNMA and FHLMC, winding down their operations, or ending the conservatorship, any of which may or may not come to fruition. FHFA and the White House have made public statements regarding plans to consider ending the conservatorships of FNMA and FHLMC. If that occurs, it is unclear how the capital structure of FNMA and FHLMC would be constructed and what effects, if any, there may be on FNMA’s and FHLMC’s creditworthiness and guarantees of certain mortgage-backed securities. It is also unclear whether the U.S. Treasury would continue to enforce its rights or perform its obligations under the Senior Preferred Stock Programs. There can be no assurance that such proposals, even those that are not adopted, will not adversely affect the values of mortgage-related securities held by a Fund.

In May 2014, FHFA issued its 2014 Strategic Plan. The 2014 Strategic Plan updated FHFA’s vision for implementing its obligations as Conservator of FHLMC and FNMA. On December 21, 2017, FHFA issued the 2018 Conservatorship Scorecard, which establishes objectives and performance targets and measures for 2018 for FHLMC and FNMA related to the strategic goals set forth in the 2014 Strategic Plan.

On September 17, 2017, the FHFA issued its updated 2017 Strategic Plan for implementing its obligations as Conservator over FHLMC and FNMA for fiscal years 2018-2022. Like the 2014 Strategic Plan, the 2017 Strategic Plan established three reformulated goals for the conservatorships. These goals involve:

 

   

Preserving and conserving assets by, among other measures, ensuring that FNMA’s and FHLMC’s infrastructures meet the needs of their current credit guarantee businesses and other operations.

 

   

Reducing taxpayer risk from FNMA’s and FHLMC’s operations by focusing on increasing the role of private capital in the mortgage market, and, among other measures, reducing FNMA’s and FHLMC’s retained portfolios, including requiring that both FNMA and FHLMC continue to prioritize selling off their less liquid portfolio assets.

 

   

Building, implementing, and operating a new single family securitization infrastructure and single security initiative for use by FNMA and FHLMC.

In June 2019, under the Single Security Initiative, FNMA and FHLMC started issuing uniform mortgage-backed securities in place of their current offerings of to be announced (“TBA”) eligible securities. The Single Security Initiative seeks to support the overall liquidity of the TBA market and aligns the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. The effects that the single security initiative may have on the market for TBA and other mortgage-backed securities are uncertain.

On April 14, 2022, FHFA released the FHFA Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2022-2026. This plan also established three goals:

 

   

Secure the regulated entities’ safety and soundness.

 

   

Foster housing finance markets that promote equitable access to affordable and sustainable housing.

 

   

Responsibly steward FHFA’s infrastructure.

The FHFA stated that, because adequate capital, among other things, is a precondition for either entity to exit from conservatorship, its emphasis is on ensuring that FNMA and FHLMC build capital and improve their safety and soundness. On January 4, 2023, the FHFA issued the 2023 Scorecard for FNMA and FHLMC, which focuses on their performance towards the goals set by FHFA.

Privately Issued Mortgage-Related Securities. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities or private insurers. Such insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness of the issuers thereof will be considered in determining whether a mortgage-related security meets a Fund’s investment quality standards. However, there can be no assurance that insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. In addition, a Fund may buy mortgage-related securities without insurance or guarantees if, through an examination of the loan experience and practices of the originators/servicers and poolers, the Fund’s investment adviser determines that the securities meet the Fund’s quality standards.

Privately issued mortgage-related securities are not subject to the same underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-related securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the

 

16


mortgage loans underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-related securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. Mortgage pools underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities more frequently include second mortgages, high loan-to-value ratio mortgages and manufactured housing loans, in addition to commercial mortgages and other types of mortgages where a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee is not available. The coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a privately-issued mortgage-related securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their loans. For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities have had in many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.

The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by loans that were originated under weak underwriting standards, including loans made to borrowers with limited means to make repayment. A level of risk exists for all loans, although, historically, the poorest performing loans have been those classified as subprime. Other types of privately issued mortgage-related securities, such as those classified as pay-option adjustable rate or Alt-A have also performed poorly. Even loans classified as prime have experienced a certain level of delinquencies and defaults. A substantial decline in real property values across the U.S. can exacerbate the level of losses that investors in privately issued mortgage-related securities experience. Market factors that may adversely affect mortgage loan repayment include adverse economic conditions, unemployment, a decline in the value of real property, or an increase in interest rates.

Privately issued mortgage-related securities are not traded on an exchange and there may be a limited market for the securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-related securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans.

The Funds may purchase privately issued mortgage-related securities that are originated, packaged and serviced by third party entities. It is possible these third parties could have interests that are in conflict with the holders of mortgage-related securities, and such holders (such as a Fund) could have rights against the third parties or their affiliates. For example, if a loan originator, servicer or its affiliates engaged in negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out its duties, then a holder of the mortgage-related security could seek recourse against the originator/servicer or its affiliates, as applicable. Also, as a loan originator/servicer, the originator/servicer or its affiliates may make certain representations and warranties regarding the quality of the mortgages and properties underlying a mortgage-related security. If one or more of those representations or warranties is false, then the holders of the mortgage-related securities (such as a Fund) could trigger an obligation of the originator/servicer or its affiliates, as applicable, to repurchase the mortgages from the issuing trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, many of the third parties that are legally bound by trust and other documents have failed to perform their respective duties, as stipulated in such trust and other documents, and investors have had limited success in enforcing terms.

 

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Although the underlying mortgage loans in a pool may have maturities of up to 30 years, the actual average life of the pool certificates typically will be substantially less because the mortgages will be subject to normal principal amortization and may be prepaid prior to maturity. Prepayment rates vary widely and may be affected by changes in market interest rates. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual average life of the pool certificates. Conversely, when interest rates are rising, the rate of prepayments tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the actual average life of the certificates. Accordingly, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a particular pool.

Although the market for mortgage pass-through securities has become increasingly liquid over time, securities issued by certain private organizations may not be readily marketable, or general market conditions at any point in time may affect the marketability of such securities. As a matter of operating policy, a Fund will not purchase mortgage-related securities which in the investment adviser’s opinion are illiquid if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s total assets will be illiquid.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). A CMO is a hybrid between a mortgage-backed bond and a mortgage pass-through security. Like a bond, interest and prepaid principal is paid, in most cases, semi-annually. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans, but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA.

CMOs are structured into multiple classes, each bearing a different stated maturity. Actual maturity and average life depend upon the prepayment experience of the collateral. CMOs provide for a modified form of call protection through a de facto breakdown of the underlying pool of mortgages according to how quickly the loans are repaid. Monthly payment of principal received from the pool of underlying mortgages, including prepayments, is first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class. Investors holding the longer maturity classes receive principal only after the earlier classes have been retired.

Foreign Mortgage-Related Securities. Foreign mortgage-related securities are interests in pools of mortgage loans made to residential home buyers domiciled in a foreign country. These include mortgage loans made by trust and mortgage loan companies, credit unions, chartered banks, and others. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as

 

18


securities for sale to investors by various governmental, government-related, and private organizations (e.g., Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation). Interests in pools of mortgage-related securities differ from other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. Instead, these securities provide a monthly payment which consists of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments are caused by repayments of principal resulting from the sale of the underlying residential property, refinancing or foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred. Some mortgage-related securities are described as “modified pass-through.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, at the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

Timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, issued by governmental entities, private insurers and mortgage poolers. Such insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness of the issuers thereof will be considered in determining whether a mortgage-related security meets a Fund’s investment quality standards. However, there can be no assurance that private insurers or guarantors will meet their obligations. In addition, a Fund may buy mortgage-related securities without insurance or guarantees, if through an examination of the loan experience and practices of the originator/servicers and poolers, the Fund’s investment adviser determines that the securities meet the Fund’s quality standards.

Other Mortgage-Related Securities. Other mortgage-related securities include securities of U.S. or foreign issuers that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property. These other mortgage-related securities may be equity or debt securities issued by governmental agencies or instrumentalities or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks, partnerships, trusts and special purpose entities.

Other Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities include, but are not limited to, Certificates for Automobile Receivables (“CARS”) and credit card receivable securities. CARS represent undivided fractional interests in a trust with assets consisting of a pool of motor vehicle retail installment sales contracts and security interests in the vehicles securing these contracts. In addition to the general risks pertaining to all asset-backed securities, CARS are subject to the risks of delayed payments or losses if the full amounts due on underlying sales contracts are not realized by the trust due to unanticipated legal or administrative costs of enforcing the contracts, or due to depreciation, damage or loss of the vehicles securing the contracts. Credit card receivable securities are backed by receivables from revolving credit card accounts. Since balances on revolving credit card accounts are generally paid down more rapidly than CARS, issuers often lengthen the maturity of these securities by providing for a fixed period during which interest payments are passed through and principal payments are used to fund the transfer of additional receivables to the underlying pool. In addition, unlike most other asset-backed securities, credit card receivable securities are backed by obligations that are not secured by interests in personal or real property. Other assets often used as collateral include, but are not limited to, home equity loans, student loans and loans on commercial and industrial equipment and manufactured housing.

Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may largely depend upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities. In an effort to lessen the effect of failures by obligors on these underlying assets to make payments, such securities may contain elements of credit support. Credit support for asset-backed securities may be based on the underlying assets or credit enhancements provided by a third party. Credit support falls into two classes: liquidity protection and protection against ultimate default on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against ultimate default ensures payment on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies, letters of credit obtained from third parties, various means of structuring the transaction, or a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided on each issue is based generally on historical information regarding the level of credit risk associated with such payments. Delinquency or loss in excess of that anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in an asset-backed security.

Asset-backed securities are subject to the risk of prepayment. Prepayments of principal of asset-backed securities affect the average life of the asset-backed securities in a Fund’s portfolio. Prepayments are affected by the level of interest rates and other factors, including general economic conditions. In periods of rising interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to decrease, lengthening the average life of a pool of asset-backed securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to increase, shortening the average life of a pool. Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest rates than the original investment, affecting the Fund’s yield. Thus, asset-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation in periods of falling interest rates than other fixed income securities of comparable duration, although they may have a comparable risk of decline in market value in periods of rising interest rates.

The values of asset-backed securities are affected by, among other things, changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans, or the financial institution providing any credit enhancement, and the exhaustion of any credit enhancement. In its capacity as purchaser of an asset-backed security, a Fund would generally have no recourse to the entity that originated the loans in the event of default by the borrower. Asset-backed securities may present certain risks not relevant to mortgage-backed securities. Assets underlying asset-backed securities such as credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and debtors are entitled to the protection of various state and federal consumer protection laws, some of which provide a right of set-off that may reduce the balance owed.

Asset-backed securities may be subject to greater risk of default during periods of economic downturn than other securities. In addition, the secondary market for asset-backed securities may not be as liquid as the market for other securities, which may result in difficulty in valuing asset-backed securities.

Consistent with a Fund’s investment objectives and policies, the Fund may invest in other types of asset-backed securities.

 

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Variable and Floating Rate Instruments

Certain of the obligations purchased by a Fund may carry variable or floating rates of interest and may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature. Such obligations may include variable amount master demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary in addition to providing for periodic adjustments in the interest rate.

Such instruments bear interest at rates which are not fixed, but which vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The interest rates on these securities may reset daily, weekly, quarterly or at some other interval, and may have a floor or ceiling on interest rate changes. There is a risk that the current interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates. While such instruments may provide a Fund with a certain degree of protection against rising interest rates, the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. A demand instrument with a demand notice period exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such security. The absence of an active secondary market with respect to particular variable and floating rate instruments could make it difficult for a Fund to dispose of a variable or floating rate note if the issuer defaults on its payment obligation or during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise its demand rights.

Obligations with Puts Attached

Obligations with puts attached are long-term fixed rate debt obligations that have been coupled with an option granted by a third party financial institution allowing a Fund at specified intervals to tender (or “put”) such debt obligations to the institution and receive the face value. These third party puts are available in many different forms, may be represented by custodial receipts or trust certificates and may be combined with other features such as interest rate swaps. The financial institution granting the option does not provide credit enhancement. If there is a default on, or significant downgrading of, the bond or a loss of its tax-exempt status, the put option will terminate automatically. The risk to the Fund will then be that of holding a long-term bond.

These investments may require that a Fund pay a tender fee or other fee for the features provided. In addition, a Fund may acquire “stand-by commitments” from banks or broker-dealers with respect to the securities held in its portfolio. Under a stand-by commitment, a bank or broker-dealer agrees to purchase at the Fund’s option a specific security at a specific price on a specific date.

A Fund may pay for a stand-by commitment either separately, in cash, or in the form of a higher price paid for the security. A Fund will acquire stand-by commitments solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity.

Money Market Obligations

Money market obligations include U.S. dollar denominated bank certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, commercial paper and other short-term debt obligations of U.S. and foreign issuers, including U.S. Government and agency obligations. All money market obligations are high quality, meaning that the security is rated in one of the two highest categories for short-term securities by at least two nationally recognized rating services (or by one if only one rating service has rated the security) or, if unrated and in the case of the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, is determined by the relevant Fund’s investment adviser to be of comparably high quality.

Changing Interest Rates

In a low or negative interest rate environment, debt securities may trade at, or be issued with, negative yields, which means the purchaser of the security may receive at maturity less than the total amount invested. To the extent the Fund holds a negatively-yielding debt security, the Fund would generate a negative return on that investment. Cash positions may also subject the Fund to increased counterparty risk to the Fund’s bank. Debt market conditions are highly unpredictable and some parts of the market are subject to dislocations. If low or negative interest rates become more prevalent in the market and/or if low or negative interest rates persist for a sustained period of time, some investors may seek to reallocate assets to other income-producing assets. This may cause the price of such higher yielding instruments to rise, could further reduce the value of instruments with a negative yield, and may limit the Fund’s ability to locate fixed income instruments containing the desired risk/return profile. The U.S. government has increased the federal funds interest rate multiple times in the past year and there may be more rate increases in the future. There is a risk that rates across the financial system may rise as interest rates rise. Changing interest rates could have unpredictable effects on the markets and may expose fixed income markets to heightened volatility, increased redemptions, and potential illiquidity.

INVESTMENTS IN REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES

As permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, each Fund may acquire the shares of affiliated funds (i.e., the other Funds) and of unaffiliated funds (collectively, “Acquired Funds”).

Each Fund may invest in shares of Acquired Funds, including affiliated funds, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions set forth in this SAI.

Generally, under the 1940 Act and SEC rules thereunder, each Fund’s acquisition of the securities of affiliated Acquired Funds is subject to the following guidelines and restrictions:

 

  (A)

The Fund may own an unlimited amount of any affiliated Acquired Fund’s voting securities.

 

  (B)

The sales load and distribution fees paid by the Fund with respect to an affiliated Acquired Fund, aggregated with any distribution fees of the Fund, may not be excessive under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules.

 

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  (C)

Any affiliated Acquired Fund must have a policy that prohibits it from acquiring any securities of registered open-end funds or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on certain sections of the 1940 Act.

In addition, each Fund may acquire shares of unaffiliated Acquired Funds. In addition to guidelines (B) and (C) above, under the 1940 Act and SEC rules thereunder, each Fund’s acquisition of the securities of unaffiliated Acquired Funds is subject to the following guidelines and restrictions:

 

  (D)

The Fund and its “affiliated persons” may own no more than 3% of an unaffiliated Acquired Fund’s voting securities.

 

  (E)

The Fund and the Acquired Fund, in the aggregate, may not charge a sales load greater than the limits set forth in Rule 2830(d)(3) of the Conduct Rules of the FINRA applicable to funds of funds.

 

  (F)

The Acquired Fund is not obligated to redeem its securities held by the Fund in an amount greater than 1% of the Acquired Fund’s total outstanding securities during any period less than 30 days.

 

  (G)

The purchase or acquisition of the Acquired Fund is made pursuant to an arrangement with the Acquired Fund or its principal underwriter whereby the Fund is obligated either to (i) seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to the Acquired Fund and vote in accordance with such instructions; or (ii) vote the shares of the Acquired Fund held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the Acquired Fund.

Rule 12d1-4, under the 1940 Act, permits the Fund to invest in other registered investment companies beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions. The Rule prohibits a fund from acquiring control of another investment company (other than an investment company in the same group of investment companies), including by acquiring more than 25% of its voting securities. Moreover, the Rule imposes certain voting requirements when a fund’s ownership of another investment company exceeds particular thresholds. If shares of a fund are acquired by another investment company, the acquired fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire the securities of an investment company or private fund if such securities owned by that acquired fund have an aggregate value in excess of 10 percent of the value of the total assets of the fund immediately after such purchase or acquisition, subject to certain exceptions. These restrictions may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in other investment companies to the extent desired.

Acquired Funds typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by each Fund. Each Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses as Fund shareholders would incur not only a proportionate share of the expenses of the Acquired Funds held by a Fund, but also expenses of the Fund.

Under certain circumstances an open-end investment company in which a Fund invests may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, instead of in cash. As a result, the Fund may hold such securities until the Fund’s investment adviser determines it is appropriate to dispose of them. Such disposition will impose additional costs on the Fund.

Investment decisions by the investment advisers to the Acquired Funds in which each Fund invests are made independently of the Fund.

INVESTMENTS IN EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS

The Funds may also invest directly in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The Acquired Funds in which a Fund invests may also invest in ETFs. Investments in shares of ETFs by a Fund or an Acquired Fund in which a Fund invests are subject to the guidelines set forth above under “INVESTMENTS IN REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES” applicable to unaffiliated funds (i.e., guidelines (D) through (G)).

An ETF is a type of index fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index or basket of securities. A Fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of a U.S. or foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. Because an ETF attempts to exactly replicate the particular stock index or basket of securities to which it is related, any price movement away from the value of the underlying stocks is usually eliminated quickly by professional traders. Thus, each investment adviser believes that the movement of the share prices of the ETFs in which the Funds invest should closely track the movement of the particular stock index or basket of securities to which it is related.

 

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INVESTMENTS BY FUNDS AND BY ACQUIRED FUNDS IN WHICH THE FUNDS INVEST

Each Fund may invest directly in the types of securities specified in the applicable Prospectus and this SAI. In addition, investments by the Acquired Funds, and consequently by each Fund investing in Acquired Funds, may include such securities. References in this SAI to investments by a Fund include the Fund’s “direct” investments, as well as its “indirect” investments (i.e., investments by its Acquired Funds). Greater detail about the types of investments and investment guidelines of any Acquired Fund are included in the Acquired Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information.

COUNTRY FUNDS

Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and the restrictions set forth in the applicable Prospectus and elsewhere in this SAI, a Fund may invest in the shares of investment companies that invest in specified foreign markets. Several foreign governments permit investments by non-residents in their markets only through participation in certain investment companies specifically organized to participate in such markets. A Fund may also invest a portion of its assets in unit trusts and country funds that invest in foreign markets that are smaller than those in which the Fund would ordinarily invest directly. Investments in such pooled vehicles should enhance the geographical diversification of the portfolio’s assets, thereby reducing the risks associated with investing in certain smaller foreign markets. Investments by a Fund in such vehicles should also provide increased liquidity and lower transaction costs for the Fund than are normally associated with direct investment in such markets. However, an investment in a country fund by a Fund will involve payment by the Fund of its pro rata share of advisory and administrative fees charged by such country fund.

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

To maintain liquidity, each Fund may invest in money market funds. As a matter of operating policy, no Fund anticipates investing more than 15% of its total assets in money market funds, except that each Fund may invest more than 15% of its total assets in the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund. A Fund will invest in a money market fund for cash management purposes or for temporary defensive purposes. An investment in a money market mutual fund by a Fund will involve payment by the Fund of its pro rata share of advisory and administrative fees of such money market fund.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

To maintain liquidity, each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements (agreements to purchase U.S. Treasury notes and bills, subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a specified time and price) with well-established registered securities dealers or banks. Repurchase agreements are the economic equivalent of loans by a Fund. In the event of a bankruptcy or default of any registered dealer or bank, a Fund could experience costs and delays in liquidating the underlying securities which are held as collateral, and a Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines during this period.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements (agreements to sell portfolio securities, subject to such Fund’s agreement to repurchase them at a specified time and price) with well-established registered dealers and banks. Each Fund covers its obligations under a reverse repurchase agreement by maintaining a segregated account comprised of cash, U.S. Government securities or high-grade debt obligations, maturing no later than the expiration of the agreement, in an amount (marked-to-market daily) equal to its obligations under the agreement. Reverse repurchase agreements are the economic equivalent of borrowing by a Fund, and are entered into by the Fund to enable it to avoid selling securities to meet redemption requests during market conditions deemed unfavorable by the Fund’s investment adviser.

 

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ILLIQUID SECURITIES

No Fund may invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities that at the time of purchase have legal or contractual restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid. In the case of the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, at least 10% of the Fund’s total assets must be invested in securities with daily liquidity (i.e., cash, direct obligations of the U.S. Government and securities that will mature or be exercisable on demand within one business day) and at least 30% of its total assets must be invested in securities with weekly liquidity (i.e., securities with daily liquidity, securities that will mature or be exercisable on demand within five business days and securities of U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities that are issued at a discount to the principal at maturity and have a remaining maturity of 60 days or less). Each Fund’s investment adviser will take steps to keep the amount of illiquid securities, securities with daily liquidity and securities with weekly liquidity within the prescribed limitations. Each Fund’s investment adviser will monitor the amount of illiquid securities in the Fund’s portfolio, to ensure compliance with the Fund’s investment restrictions.

Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placement or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemption requests within seven days. A Fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

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A large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, securities of foreign issuers (“foreign securities”), municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. In accordance with guidelines established by the Board, each Fund’s investment adviser will determine the liquidity of each investment using various factors such as (1) the frequency of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, (4) the nature of the security (including any demand or tender features), and (5) the likelihood of continued marketability and credit quality of the issuer.

The institutional market for the securities described above has grown consistently for years, while the capacity for traditional dealer counterparties to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace and in some cases has decreased. As a result, dealer inventories of corporate bonds, which provide a core indication of the ability of financial intermediaries to “make markets,” are at or near historic lows in relation to market size. Because market makers provide stability to a market through their intermediary services, the significant reduction in dealer inventories could lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets.

Illiquid securities may be difficult to value, especially in changing markets. A Fund’s investments in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be unable to sell the securities at an advantageous time or price to meet shareholder or other cash needs. Such circumstances could also prevent the Fund from taking advantage of other investment opportunities.

PAYDEN CASH RESERVES MONEY MARKET FUND

The Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund is intended to be governed as a “government money market fund,” as defined by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 net asset value per share by using the amortized cost method to value portfolio securities and rounding the share value to the nearest cent. The Fund does not currently intend to impose liquidity fees or redemption gates on Fund redemptions; however, the Fund’s Board may reserve the ability to subject the Fund to a liquidity fee and/or redemption gate in the future, after providing prior notice to Fund shareholders.

As a government money market fund, the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund will invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, Government Securities, and repurchase agreements collateralized by cash or Government Securities. “Government Securities” generally means any security issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government or certain of its agencies or instrumentalities, or any certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing. In addition, the Fund (1) maintains a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 60 days or less; (2) maintains a dollar-weighted average portfolio life (portfolio maturity measured without reference to any maturity shortening provisions of adjustable rate securities by reference to their interest rate reset date) of 120 days or less; and (3) only purchases securities that mature within 397 days of the date of purchase (with certain exemptions permitted by applicable regulations).

The SEC may adopt additional amendments to money market fund regulation in the future. These changes may adversely affect the return potential of the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

The applicable Prospectus describes the extent to which each of the Funds may invest in securities of issuers organized or headquartered in foreign countries (“foreign securities”).

Risks of Foreign Investing

There are special risks in investing in any foreign securities in addition to those relating to investments in U.S. securities.

Political and Economic Factors. Individual foreign economies of certain countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States’ economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, diversification and balance of payments position. The internal politics of certain foreign countries may not be as stable as those of the United States. Recently, various countries have seen significant internal conflicts and in some cases, civil wars may have had an adverse impact on the securities markets of the countries concerned. In addition, the occurrence of new disturbances due to acts of war or other political developments cannot be excluded. Apparently stable systems may experience periods of disruption or improbable reversals of policy. Nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes, government regulation, political, regulatory or social instability or uncertainty or diplomatic developments could adversely affect the Funds’ investments. The transformation from a centrally planned, socialist economy to a more market oriented economy has also resulted in many economic and social disruptions and distortions. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the economic, regulatory and political initiatives necessary to achieve and sustain such a transformation will continue or, if such initiatives continue and are sustained, that they will be successful or that such initiatives will continue to benefit foreign (or non-national) investors. Certain instruments, such as inflation index instruments, may depend upon measures compiled by governments (or entities under their influence) which are also the obligors.

Governments in certain foreign countries continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of interest. The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by the trade policies and economic conditions of their trading partners. Enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.

Euro-Related Risks. The European financial markets have continued to experience volatility because of concerns about war in the region, disruptions in the oil and gas markets, economic downturns and about high and rising government debt levels of several countries in the European Union and Europe generally. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the Euro and the European securities markets, and may spread to other countries in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro. These events may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments. Responses to the financial problems by European Union governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine resulting in broad economic sanctions being imposed against Russia by the United States along with various other countries. Russia’s invasion has caused significant market disruptions, especially in the oil and natural gas markets, and has negatively impacted global supply chains. The extent of the impacts of the war in Ukraine may not be known for some time, but could result in in further market and supply chain disruptions, increased inflation, and slow global economic growth.

Emerging Markets Investments. Investments by a Fund in securities issued by the governments of emerging or developing countries, and of companies within those countries, involve greater risks than other foreign investments. Investments in emerging or developing markets involve exposure to economic and legal structures that are generally less diverse and mature (and in some cases the absence of developed legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property), and to political systems which can be expected to have less stability, than those of more developed countries. The risks of investment in such countries may include matters such as relatively unstable governments, higher degrees of government involvement in the economy, the absence until recently of capital market structures or market-oriented economies, economies based on only a few industries, securities markets which trade only a small number of securities, restrictions on foreign investment in stocks, and significant foreign currency devaluations and fluctuations.

Emerging markets can be substantially more volatile than both U.S. and more developed foreign markets. Such volatility may be exacerbated by illiquidity. The average daily trading volume in all of the emerging markets combined is a small fraction of the average daily volume of the U.S. market. Small trading volumes may result in a Fund being forced to purchase securities at substantially higher prices than the current market, or to sell securities at much lower prices than the current market. In addition, accounting, auditing and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards in emerging markets may not provide the same degree of investor protection of information to investors as would generally apply in more developed markets.

Restrictions on Foreign Investment. A number of emerging securities markets restrict foreign investment to varying degrees. Furthermore, repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some countries. While a Fund will only invest in markets where these restrictions are considered acceptable, new or additional repatriation or other restrictions might be imposed subsequent to the Fund’s investment. If such restrictions were to be imposed subsequent to a Fund’s investment in the securities markets of a particular country, the Fund’s response might include, among other things, applying to the appropriate authorities for a waiver of the restrictions or engaging in transactions in other markets designed to offset the risks of decline in that country. Such restrictions will be considered in relation to a Fund’s liquidity needs and all other acceptable positive and negative factors. Some emerging markets limit foreign investment, which may decrease returns relative to domestic investors. A Fund may seek exceptions to those restrictions. If those restrictions are present and cannot be avoided by the Fund, the Fund’s returns may be lower.

Foreign custody risk. Foreign custody risk refers to the risks inherent in the process of clearing and settling trades and to the holding of securities, cash and other assets by banks, agents and depositories in securities markets that are less developed than those in the United States. Low trading volumes and volatile prices in less developed markets make trades harder to complete and settle, and governments or trade groups may compel non-U.S. agents to hold securities in designated depositories that may not be subject to independent evaluation. The laws of certain countries may place limitations on the ability to recover assets if a non-U.S. bank, agent or depository becomes insolvent or enters bankruptcy. Non-U.S. agents are held only to the standards of care of their local markets, and thus may be subject to limited or no government oversight. In general, the less developed a country’s securities market is, or the more difficult communication is with that location, the greater the likelihood of custody problems.

Settlement Risks. Settlement systems in emerging markets may be less well organized than in developed markets. Supervisory authorities may also be unable to apply standards comparable with those in developed markets. Thus there may be risks that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities belonging to a Fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the systems. In particular, market practice may require that payment be made prior to receipt of the security which is being purchased or that delivery of a security must be made before payment is received. In such cases, default by a broker or bank through whom the relevant transaction is effected might result in a loss being suffered by the Fund. A Fund seeks, when possible, to use counterparties whose financial status is such that this risk is reduced. However, there can be no certainty that a Fund will be successful in eliminating or reducing this risk, particularly as counterparties operating in developing countries frequently lack the substance, capitalization and/or financial resources of those in developed countries.

There may also be a danger that, because of uncertainties in the operation of settlement systems in individual markets, competing claims may arise in respect of securities held by or to be transferred to a Fund. Furthermore, compensation schemes may be non-existent, limited or inadequate to meet a Fund’s claims in any of these events.

Counterparty and Third Party Risk. Trading in the securities of emerging markets presents additional credit and financial risks. A Fund may have limited access to, or there may be a limited number of, potential counterparties that trade in the securities of emerging market issuers. Governmental regulations may restrict potential counterparties to certain financial institutions located or operating in the particular emerging market. Potential counterparties may not possess, adopt or implement creditworthiness standards, financial reporting standards or legal and contractual protections similar to those in developed markets. Currency hedging techniques may not be available or may be limited. A Fund may not be able to reduce or mitigate risks related to trading with emerging market counterparties. The Funds seek, when possible, to use counterparties whose financial status is such that the risk of default is reduced, but the risk of losses resulting from default is still possible.

Government in the Private Sector. Government involvement in the private sector varies in degree among the emerging markets in which a Fund may invest. Such involvement may, in some cases, include government ownership of companies in certain sectors, wage and price controls or imposition of trade barriers and other protectionist measures. With respect to any developing country, there is no guarantee that some future economic or political crisis will not lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, expropriation, or creation of government monopolies, to the possible detriment of a Fund’s investment in that country.

Litigation. A Fund may encounter substantial difficulties in obtaining and enforcing judgments against individuals and companies located in certain developing countries. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain or enforce legislation or remedies against governments, their agencies and sponsored entities.

Fraudulent Securities. It is possible, particularly in emerging markets, that purported securities in which a Fund invests may subsequently be found to be fraudulent and as a consequence the Fund could suffer losses.

Local Taxation. The local taxation of income and capital gains accruing to non-residents varies among developing countries and, in some cases, is comparatively high. In addition, developing countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that a Fund could in the future become subject to local tax liabilities that had not been anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets. The Funds seek to reduce these risks by careful management of assets. However, there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful.

 

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Currency Fluctuations. To the extent that a Fund invests in securities denominated in foreign currencies, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency. Such changes will also affect the Fund’s income. The value of a Fund’s assets may also be affected significantly by currency restrictions and exchange control regulations enacted from time to time.

Market Characteristics. The Funds’ investment advisers expect that most foreign securities in which any Fund invests will be purchased in over-the-counter markets or on bond exchanges located in the countries in which the principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are located, if that is the best available market. Foreign bond markets may be more volatile than those in the United States. While growing in volume, they usually have substantially less volume than U.S. markets, and the Fund’s foreign bond holdings may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. Government securities. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets, and may include delays beyond periods customary in the United States.

Transactions in options on securities, futures contracts and futures options may not be regulated as effectively on foreign exchanges as similar transactions in the United States, and may not involve clearing mechanisms and related guarantees. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by the imposition of different exercise terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States. Foreign security trading practices, including those involving securities settlement where Fund assets may be released prior to payment, may expose a Fund to increased risk in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a foreign broker-dealer.

The value of a Fund’s portfolio positions may also be adversely impacted by delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States.

Legal and Regulatory Matters. Certain foreign countries may have less supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities, and less financial information available to issuers, than is available in the United States.

Taxes. The interest payable on certain of a Fund’s foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to the Fund’s shareholders. A shareholder otherwise subject to U.S. Federal income taxes may, subject to certain limitations, be entitled to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. Federal income tax purposes for its proportionate share of such foreign taxes paid by a Fund. The Funds intend to sell such bonds prior to the interest payment date in order to avoid withholding.

Costs. The expense ratio of a Fund investing in foreign securities (before reimbursement by the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to any applicable expense limitation described in the applicable Prospectus) is likely to be higher than those of investment companies investing in domestic securities, since the cost of maintaining the custody of foreign securities is higher than that of domestic securities.

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

The Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund invests primarily in a non-diversified portfolio of debt obligations issued by state and local governments, territories and possessions of the United States, regional government authorities, and their agencies and instrumentalities which provide interest income that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer at the time of original issuance, is exempt from Federal income taxes (“municipal securities”). Municipal securities include both notes (which have maturities of less than one year) and bonds (which have maturities of one year or more) that bear fixed or variable rates of interest.

In general, municipal securities are issued to obtain funds for a variety of public purposes, such as the construction, repair, or improvement of public facilities including airports, bridges, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets, and water and sewer works. Municipal securities may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to raise funds for general operating expenses and lending to other public institutions and facilities.

The two principal classifications of municipal securities are “general obligation” securities and “revenue” securities. General obligation securities are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Characteristics and methods of enforcement of general obligation bonds vary according to the law applicable to a particular issuer, and the taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rates or amounts of special assessments. Revenue securities are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility, a class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water, and sewer systems; highways, bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund the assets of which may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer’s obligations. Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security, including partially or fully insured mortgages, rent subsidized and collateralized mortgages, and the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities are provided further security in the form of a state’s assurance (although without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.

 

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Each Fund may purchase insured municipal debt in which scheduled payments of interest and principal are guaranteed by a private, non-governmental or governmental insurance company. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the municipal debt or the value of the shares of the Fund.

Payden may use interest rate and municipal bond index futures and options on futures contracts, options on securities, and interest rate swaps to effect a change in the Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund’s exposure to interest rate changes.

Securities of issuers of municipal obligations are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of such issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures of referenda extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Furthermore, as a result of legislation or other conditions, the power or ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its municipal obligations may be materially affected.

The perceived increased likelihood of default among issuers of municipal securities has resulted in constrained liquidity, increased price volatility and credit downgrades of issuers of municipal securities. Local and national market forces, such as declines in real estate prices and general business activity, may result in decreasing tax bases, fluctuations in interest rates, and increasing construction costs, all of which could reduce the repayment ability of certain issuers of municipal securities to repay their obligations. Certain issuers of municipal securities have also been unable to obtain additional financing through, or must pay higher interest rates on, new issues, which may reduce revenues available for issuers of municipal securities to pay existing obligations. In addition, past events have demonstrated that the lack of disclosure rules in this area can make it difficult for investors to obtain reliable information on the obligations underlying municipal securities. Adverse developments in the municipal securities market may negatively affect the value of all or a substantial portion of a Fund’s holdings in municipal securities.

Certain of the municipal securities in which each Fund may invest, and certain of the risks of such investments, are described below.

Moral Obligation Securities

Municipal securities may include “moral obligation” securities which are usually issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation bonds cannot fulfill its financial responsibilities from current revenues, it may draw upon a reserve fund, the restoration of which is a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality which created the issuer.

Zero Coupon Securities

Zero coupon securities are debt securities issued or sold at a discount from their face value. These securities do not entitle the holder to interest payments prior to maturity or a specified redemption date, when they are redeemed at face value. Zero coupon securities may also take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves, and receipts and certificates representing interests in such stripped obligations and coupons. The market prices of zero coupon securities tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes, and are more volatile, than interest bearing securities of like maturity. The discount from face value is amortized over the life of the security and such amortization will constitute the income earned on the security for accounting and tax purposes. Even though income is accrued on a current basis, a Fund does not receive the income currently in cash. Therefore, the Fund may have to sell other portfolio investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

Mortgage-backed securities are municipal debt obligations issued to provide financing for residential housing mortgages to targeted groups. Payments made on the underlying mortgages and passed through to a Fund will represent both regularly scheduled principal and interest payments. The Fund may also receive additional principal payments representing prepayments of the underlying mortgages. Investing in such municipal debt obligations

 

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involves special risks and considerations, including the inability to predict accurately the maturity of the Fund’s investments as a result of prepayments of the underlying mortgages, which may require the Fund to reinvest principal at lower yields than would otherwise have been realized. In a rising interest rate environment, prepayments of the underlying mortgages may occur more slowly than anticipated, which could prevent the Fund from reinvesting principal at higher yields than would have been realized had prepayments been made at a higher rate. Other risks include the illiquidity of certain of such securities, and the possible default by insurers or guarantors supporting the timely payment of interest and principal.

Municipal Lease Obligations

Municipal lease obligations are lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations of municipal authorities. Although lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipality for which its taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality’s covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the lease obligation. A Fund may also purchase “certificates of participation”, which are securities issued by a particular municipality or municipal authority to evidence a proportionate interest in base rental or lease payments relating to a specific project to be made by the municipality, agency or authority. However, certain lease obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in any year unless money is appropriated for such purpose for such year. Although “non-appropriation” lease obligations are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of default and foreclosure might prove difficult. In addition, these securities represent a relatively new type of financing, and certain lease obligations may therefore be considered to be illiquid securities.

Subject to its ability to invest in below investment grade municipal securities, a Fund will attempt to minimize the special risks inherent in municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation by purchasing only lease obligations which meet the following criteria: (1) rated A or better by at least one nationally recognized securities rating organization; (2) secured by payments from a governmental lessee which has actively traded debt obligations; (3) determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to be critical to the lessee’s ability to deliver essential services; and (4) contain legal features which the Fund’s investment adviser deems appropriate, such as covenants to make lease payments without the right of offset or counterclaim, requirements for insurance policies, and adequate debt service reserve funds.

Short-Term Obligations

Short-term municipal obligations include the following:

 

   

Tax Anticipation Notes are used to finance working capital needs of municipalities and are issued in anticipation of various seasonal tax revenues, to be payable from these specific future taxes. They are usually general obligations of the issuer, secured by the taxing power of the municipality for the payment of principal and interest when due.

 

   

Revenue Anticipation Notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other kinds of revenue, such as Federal revenues available under the Federal Revenue Sharing Program. They also are usually general obligations of the issuer.

 

   

Bond Anticipation Notes normally are issued to provide interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged. The long-term bonds then provide the money for the repayment of the notes.

 

   

Short-Term Discount Notes (tax-exempt commercial paper) are short-term (365 days or less) promissory notes issued by municipalities to supplement their cash flow.

Floating Rate and Variable Rate Demand Notes

Floating rate and variable rate demand notes and bonds may have a stated maturity in excess of one year, but permit a holder to demand payment of principal plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days notice. Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The issuer has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay, in its discretion, the outstanding principal of the obligation plus accrued interest upon a specific number of days’ notice to the holders. The interest rate of a floating rate instrument may be based on a known lending rate, such as a bank’s prime rate, and is reset whenever such rate is adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand note is reset at specified intervals at a market rate.

 

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A Fund will limit its purchase of municipal securities that bear floating rates and variable rates of interest to those meeting the rating quality standards set forth in the applicable Prospectus. Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The Fund’s investment adviser monitors the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuers of such obligations, as well as the creditworthiness of the institution responsible for paying the principal amount of the obligations under the demand feature.

A Fund may also invest in municipal securities in the form of “participation interests” in variable rate tax-exempt demand obligations held by a financial institution, usually a commercial bank. Municipal participation interests provide the purchaser with an undivided interest in one or more underlying municipal securities and the right to demand payment from the institution upon a specified number of days’ notice (no more than seven) of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest. In addition, the municipal participation interests are typically enhanced by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee from such institution. Since the Fund has an undivided interest in the obligation, it participates equally with the institution with the exception that the institution normally retains a fee out of the interest paid for servicing, providing the letter of credit or guarantee, and issuing the repurchase commitment.

Municipal Securities Market Risk

Investing in the municipal securities market involves certain risks. The municipal securities market is one in which dealer firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital, and during market turmoil these firms’ capital may become severely constrained. As a result, some firms may be unwilling to commit their capital to purchase and to serve as a dealer for municipal securities and, accordingly, municipal securities can experience downturns in trading activity and the supply of municipal securities may exceed the demand in the market. During such periods, the spread can widen between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for certain investments or for investments generally, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. The increased presence of non-traditional participants in the municipal securities markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets.

The amount of public information available about the municipal securities in a Fund’s portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the Fund’s investment performance may therefore be more dependent on Payden’s analytical abilities than if the Fund were to invest in stocks or taxable bonds. Municipal securities may contain redemption provisions, which may allow the securities to be called or redeemed prior to their stated maturity, potentially resulting in the distribution of principal and a reduction in subsequent interest distributions.

The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local governments. During national economic recessions, the ability of municipalities to collect revenue and service their obligations may be materially and adversely affected. The taxing power of any government entity may be limited by provisions of state constitutions or laws and an entity’s credit will depend on many factors, including the entity’s tax base, the extent to which the entity relies on federal or state aid, and other factors which are beyond the entity’s control. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, a Fund could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled.

 

 

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SPECIAL RISKS OF INVESTING PRIMARILY IN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

General Economic Conditions

Economic Outlook. California’s economy is the largest among the 50 states and one of the largest and most diverse in the world. The diversified economy of California has major components in high technology, trade, entertainment, agriculture, manufacturing, government, tourism, construction and financial services. The State’s economy experienced several years of robust expansion, which ended in March 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, the State’s economy has experienced a quicker rebound than expected. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (“LAO”), a non-partisan fiscal and policy adviser, noted that while negative economic consequences of the pandemic have been severe, they do not appear to have been as catastrophic from a fiscal standpoint as the 2020 Budget anticipated. In February 2020, California experienced a historically low unemployment rate of 3.9%. In the spring of 2020, the State’s unemployment rate peaked at 16%—the highest since the Great Depression. The unemployment rate has since improved. As of December 2022, California’s unemployment rate was 4.1%.

California’s consumer inflation slowed to 1.7% in 2020, its lowest rate in five years. However, California’s inflation rate was above 4% between April 2021 and February 2022, but remained lower than the national rate. California’s inflation averaged 6.8% in 2022, but is projected to decelerate to slightly above 3% by the end of 2023. The longer inflation persists, the more severe the impact will be on the economy because sustained high inflation can lead to price instability and cause disruptions across many sectors of the economy.

The pandemic created supply chain disruptions in California and throughout the United States. Although progress has been made to resolve those disruptions, there still remains persistent shortages. Some of those shortages are a result of strict lockdowns imposed by countries such as China. Moreover, the Russian invasion of Ukraine added to supply chain disruptions and shortages as countries imposed sanctions on Russia. A slow resolution of supply chain issues could lead to reduced economic activity.

The threat of recession remains a risk. In response to high inflation, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates in an attempt to slow economic growth. The Federal Reserve’s tightening of monetary policy, in conjunction with inflation and other factors, has the potential of inducing an economic slowdown. Further, federal policies affecting topics such as immigration and tariffs, among others, could also negatively affect the State’s economy.

Geography. California’s geographic location subjects it to earthquakes, extreme weather events and other natural hazards, such as wildfires, drought, heat waves, flood, and coastal storm surges. It is impossible to predict the time, magnitude or location of a major earthquake or extreme weather event. Earthquakes and extreme weather events have triggered states of emergency and can negatively affect, among other things, agricultural production, property values, water supplies, and power generation.

State Budgets

Budget Process. California has a fiscal year ending on June 30 of each year. Under the State constitution, the Governor must submit a proposed budget to the Legislature by January 10 of the preceding fiscal year and the Legislature must adopt a final budget by June 15 of the preceding fiscal year. Both the proposed budget and final budget are required to be balanced, in that General Fund expenditures must not exceed projected General Fund revenues and transfers for the fiscal year.

Current Budget. The California State Budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year (the “2022 Budget Act”) was enacted on June 27, 2022 and amended on June 30, 2022. The 2022 Budget Act projects General Fund revenues and transfers will decrease 4.3% from last year to $219.7 billion and authorized General Fund expenditures of $234.4 billion, a 3.5% decrease from last year, for the fiscal year ending in June 2023. The 2022 Budget Act continues to build reserves and pay down the State’s debts and liabilities. In fact, the 2022 Budget Act projects California will have $37.2 billion in reserves at the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year.

 

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Future Budgets. California’s budget remains vulnerable to slowing economic activity because personal income tax and sales tax, which are both strongly affected by economic conditions, are the State’s largest revenue sources. It cannot be predicted what actions will be taken in the future by the Legislature and the Governor to deal with changing State revenues and expenditures.

Constraints on the Budget Process. Constitutional amendments approved by voters affect the budget process. These include Proposition 58, approved in 2004 and amended by voters effective as of the 2015-16 fiscal year, which requires the State to enact a balanced budget, establish a special rainy day fund in the General Fund and restrict future borrowing to cover budget deficits; and Proposition 25, approved by voters in 2010, which decreased the vote required for the Legislature to adopt a final budget from a two-thirds majority vote to a simple majority vote. Proposition 25 retained the two-thirds vote requirement for taxes. As a result of the provisions requiring the enactment of a balanced budget and restricting borrowing, the State may, in some cases, have to take immediate actions during the fiscal year to correct budgetary shortfalls.

Minimum Wage Increase. On April 4, 2016, the Governor signed SB 3, which gradually increases the minimum wage in California (currently $14.00 per hour or $13.00 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees) to $15 per hour by 2023 (at the earliest) for all businesses in the State. The Department of Finance estimates increased General Fund costs of $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2022-23. SB 3 includes provisions that allow the State to pause a scheduled increase in the minimum wage if certain economic and/or budget conditions occur. Consequently, the timing of full implementation will depend on any such pauses.

State Indebtedness

General Obligation Bonds and Revenue Bonds. As of January 1, 2023, the State had approximately $68.3 billion aggregate principal of outstanding long-term general obligation bonds. As of January 1, 2023, general obligation bond authorizations of approximately $27.8 billion remained unissued.

Ratings. As of July, 2022 the State’s general obligation bonds were rated Aa2 by Moody’s, AA- by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), and AA by Fitch Ratings. On August 12, 2016, Fitch Ratings raised California’s general obligation bond rating from A+ to AA-, stating that the upgrade reflected a combination of positive credit developments for the State. Fitch specifically stated that California is fundamentally better positioned to withstand a future economic downturn than has been the case in prior recessions due to numerous institutional improvements. On July 2, 2015, S&P raised California’s general obligation bond rating from A+ to AA-, citing the enactment of the 2015 Budget Act as marking improved fiscal sustainability. On June 25, 2014, Moody’s upgraded California’s general obligation bond rating from A1 to Aa3, citing the State’s “rapidly improving financial position, high but declining debt metrics, adjusted net pension liability ratios that are close to the State median, strong liquidity, and robust employment growth.” On February 25, 2015, Fitch Ratings upgraded California’s general obligation bond rating from A to A+ citing the State’s “continued improvement in its fundamental fiscal position, institutionalized changes to its fiscal operations, and its ongoing economic and revenue recovery as contributing to an improved financial position and enhancing the State’s ability to address future fiscal challenges.” The ratings agencies continue to monitor the State’s budget outlook closely to determine whether to alter the ratings. It is not possible to determine whether, or the extent to which, Moody’s, S&P or Fitch Ratings will change such ratings in the future.

Infrastructure Planning. California is experiencing challenges in infrastructure development and maintenance. In the transportation sector alone, there is an estimated $47 billion in deferred maintenance on the State’s roads and bridges. Additional funds for deferred maintenance will be available for infrastructure spending as required under Proposition 2 once the State Rainy Day Fund reaches its constitutional limit. The 2022 Budget Act projects there will be $465 million dollars of these funds available during the 2022-23 fiscal year. Under certain circumstances, the State also provides infrastructure funding assistance to local governments and the private sector such as for schools and local transportation programs, water projects, housing developments, and hospitals.

State Pension Funds. The two main State pension funds, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (“CalSTRS”), each faced unfunded future liabilities in the tens of billions of dollars. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, CalPERS reported a -7.4% and CalSTRS reported a -1.3% return on investment, which is lower than the systems actuarially assumed 6.8% and 7.0% rate of return, respectively. The State also provides retiree health care and dental benefits which are referred to as Other Postemployment Benefits (“OPEB”) to retired state employees, their spouses and dependents, and almost exclusively utilizes a “pay-as-you-go” funding policy. The Actuarial Accrued Liability relating to OPEB is estimated to be $99.53 billion as of June 30, 2021, of which $95.5 billion is unfunded. It is unknown how future economic conditions and other factors will ultimately impact the unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities.

 

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Medi-Cal and Health Care Reform. California continues implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), which included mandatory and optional Medi-Cal expansions. The mandatory Medi-Cal expansion simplified eligibility, enrollment, and retention rules that make it easier to enroll and stay on Medi-Cal. The optional expansion of Medi-Cal extended eligibility to adults without children, and parent and caretaker relatives with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level.

Medi-Cal is one the State’s largest expenditures. The 2022 Budget Act projects $137.9 billion in expenditures on Medi-Cal in fiscal year 2022-23. The $11.3 billion increase from the fiscal year 2021-22 is primarily due to costs associated with caseload projections, program cost growth, repayment of federal funds for ineligible claims, and the implementation of such programs as the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, Behavioral Health Bridge Housing, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, and the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal initiative.

The net impact of any health care reform on the State’s budget will depend on a number of factors, including levels of individual and employer participation and any changes in the federal matching rate and insurance premiums. Actual costs could differ materially as the ACA is implemented and as the California Legislature realigns responsibility for certain health care and long-term care programs between the State and local governments.

Local Government. The primary units of local government in California are the counties, which vary significantly in size and population. There are also hundreds of incorporated cities and thousands of other special districts formed for education, utility and other services. Counties are responsible for provision of many basic services, including indigent healthcare, welfare, courts, jails and public safety in unincorporated areas. The 2011 Budget Act instituted a major realignment of responsibility for public safety programs from the State to local governments, including certain criminal justice programs, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, child and elderly welfare programs and the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs). With the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act, counties have experienced significant savings in their indigent healthcare programs as participants have continued to enroll in the State’s expanded Medi-Cal program. In recognition of this shift in responsibility for indigent healthcare, the 2013 Budget Act established a mechanism to redirect a portion of each county’s cost savings to benefit the State.

Local governments are limited in their ability to raise revenues due to constitutional constraints on their ability to impose or increase various taxes, fees, and assessments without voter approval. Counties, in particular, have had fewer options to raise revenues than many other local government entities.

Local governments in California have experienced notable financial difficulties from time to time, and there is no assurance that any California issuer will make full or timely payments of principal or interest or remain solvent. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local California issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued by the State, and there is no obligation on the part of the State to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.

Constitutional and Legislative Factors. Initiative constitutional amendments affecting State and local taxes and appropriations have been proposed and adopted pursuant to the State’s initiative process from time to time. If any such initiatives are adopted, the State could be pressured to provide additional financial assistance to local governments or appropriate revenues as mandated by such initiatives. Propositions that may be adopted in the future may also place increasing pressure on the State’s budget over future years, potentially reducing resources available for other State programs, especially to the extent any mandated spending limits would restrain the State’s ability to fund such other programs by raising taxes. Because of the complexities of constitutional amendments and related legislation concerning appropriations and spending limits, the ambiguities and possible inconsistencies in their terms, the applicability of any exceptions and exemptions and the impossibility of predicting future appropriations, it is not possible to predict the impact on the bonds held by the Funds.

 

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Effect of other State Laws on Bond Obligations. Some of the California municipal securities held by the Funds may be obligations payable solely from the revenues of a specific institution or secured by specific properties. These are subject to provisions of California law that could adversely affect the holders of such obligations. For example, the revenues of California healthcare institutions may be adversely affected by State laws reducing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, and California law limits the remedies available to a creditor secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real property. Debt obligations payable solely from revenues of healthcare institutions may also be insured by the State but no guarantee exists that adequate reserve funds will be appropriated by the Legislature for such purpose.

Litigation. The State is a party to numerous legal proceedings, many of which normally occur in governmental operations. In addition, the State is involved in certain other legal proceedings that, if decided against the State might require the State to make significant future expenditures or impair future revenue sources. Because of the prospective nature of these proceedings, it is not presently possible to predict the outcome of such litigation or estimate the potential impact on the ability of the State to pay debt service costs on its obligations.

 

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

In pursuing their individual objectives, each of the Funds (except the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund) may purchase and sell (write) put options and call options on securities, securities indexes, commodity indexes and foreign currencies, and may enter into interest rate, foreign currency, index and commodity futures contracts and purchase and sell options on such futures contracts (“futures options”), except that those Funds that may not invest in foreign currency-denominated securities may not enter into transactions involving currency futures or options. These transactions may be for hedging purposes, to seek to replicate the composition and performance of a particular index, or as part of their overall investment strategies. Each of the Funds (except the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund) also may purchase and sell foreign currency options for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another.

Each Fund (except the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund) also may enter into swap agreements with respect to interest rates, commodities, indexes of securities or commodities and credit default situations, and to the extent it may invest in foreign currency-denominated securities, may enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign currencies. Such Funds may also invest in structured notes. If other types of financial instruments, including other types of options, futures contracts, or futures options are traded in the future, a Fund may also use those instruments, provided that the adviser determines that their use is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective.

 

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The value of some derivative instruments in which a Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to certain factors, including for example changes in prevailing interest rates, and like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of a Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Fund’s investment adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If the investment adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates.

A Fund might not employ any of the strategies described in this section, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. If the Fund’s investment adviser incorrectly forecasts interest rates, market values or other economic factors in utilizing a derivatives strategy for a Fund, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The use of these strategies involves certain special risks, including a possible imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of derivative instruments and price movements of related investments. While some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in related investments or otherwise, due to the possible inability of a Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable or the possible need to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time because the Fund is required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with transactions in derivative instruments, and the possible inability of the Fund to close out or to liquidate its derivatives positions. In addition, a Fund’s use of such instruments may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if it had not used such instruments. For a Fund that gains exposure to an asset class using derivative instruments backed by a collateral portfolio of fixed income instruments, changes in the value of the fixed income instruments may result in greater or lesser exposure to that asset class than would have resulted from a direct investment in securities comprising that asset class.

Options on Securities and Indexes

A Fund may, to the extent specified herein or in the applicable Prospectus, purchase and sell both put and call options on fixed income or other securities or indexes in standardized contracts traded on foreign or domestic securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, or quoted on NASDAQ or on an over-the-counter market, and agreements, sometimes called cash puts, which may accompany the purchase of a new issue of bonds from a dealer.

An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option for American options or only at expiration for European options. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security. Upon exercise, the writer of an option on an index is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of the index and the exercise price multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. (An index is designed to reflect features of a particular financial or securities market, a specific group of financial instruments or securities, or certain economic indicators.)

 

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If an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a capital gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. If an option purchased by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a capital loss equal to the premium paid. Prior to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an exchange-traded option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series (type, exchange, underlying security or index, exercise price, and expiration). There can be no assurance, however, that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund desires. A Fund may sell put or call options it has previously purchased, which could result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount realized on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put or call option which is sold. Prior to exercise or expiration, an option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series. A Fund will realize a capital gain from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the closing option is less than the premium received from writing the option, or, if it is more, the Fund will realize a capital loss. If the premium received from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, the Fund will realize a capital gain or, if it is less, the Fund will realize a capital loss. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security or index in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying security or index, and the time remaining until the expiration date.

The premium paid for a put or call option purchased by a Fund is an asset of the Fund. The premium received for an option written by a Fund is recorded as a deferred credit. The value of an option purchased or written is marked-to-market daily and is valued at the closing price on the exchange on which it is traded or, if not traded on an exchange or no closing price is available, at the mean between the last bid and asked prices.

A Fund may write covered straddles consisting of a combination of a call and a put written on the same underlying security. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund will also segregate liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

Risks Associated with Options on Securities and Indexes

There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities and on indexes. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events.

During the option period, the covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying security above the exercise price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues, has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an American option often has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. If a put or call option purchased by a Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security.

 

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There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when a Fund seeks to close out an option position. If the Fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a security, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. If the Fund were unable to close out a covered call option that it had written on a security, it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise. As the writer of a covered call option, a Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price of the call.

If trading were suspended in an option purchased by a Fund, the Fund would not be able to close out the option. If restrictions on exercise were imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it has purchased. Except to the extent that a call option on an index written by the Fund is covered by an option on the same index purchased by the Fund, movements in the index may result in a loss to the Fund; however, such losses may be mitigated by changes in the value of the Fund’s securities during the period the option was outstanding.

Foreign Currency Options

A Fund that invests in foreign currency-denominated securities may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies. The Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies either on exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits that may limit the ability of the Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options. Over-the-counter options differ from traded options in that they are two-party contracts with price and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options. Under definitions adopted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC, many foreign currency options will be considered swaps for certain purposes, including determination of whether such instruments need to be exchange-traded and centrally cleared as discussed further in “Government Regulation of Derivatives.”

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security or commodity for a set price on a future date. These contracts are traded on exchanges, so that, in most cases, either party can close out its position on the exchange for cash, without delivering the security or commodity. An option on a futures contract gives the holder of the option the right to buy or sell a position in a futures contract to the writer of the option, at a specified price and on or before a specified expiration date.

Each Fund (except the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund) may invest in futures contracts and options thereon (“futures options”) with respect to, but not limited to, interest rates, commodities, and security or commodity indexes. To the extent that a Fund may invest in foreign currency-denominated securities, it may also invest in foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon.

An interest rate, commodity, foreign currency or index futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, commodity, foreign currency or the cash value of an index at a specified price and time. A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract was originally written. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, no physical delivery of these securities is made. A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes as well as financial instruments and foreign currencies, including, for example, the S&P 500; the S&P Midcap 400; the Nikkei 225; the NYSE composite; U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; GNMA Certificates; three-month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; the Australian dollar; the Canadian dollar; the British pound; the Japanese yen; the Swiss franc; the Mexican peso; and certain multinational currencies, such as the euro. It is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future. As described in the applicable Prospectus, one or more of the Funds may also invest in commodity futures contracts and options thereon. A commodity futures contract is an agreement between two parties, in which one party agrees to buy a commodity, such as an energy, agricultural or metal commodity, from the other party at a later date at a price and quantity agreed-upon when the contract is made.

 

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A Fund may purchase and write call and put futures options, as specified for that Fund in the applicable Prospectus. Futures options possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indexes (discussed above). A futures option gives the holder the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is true. A call option is “in the money” if the value of the futures contract that is the subject of the option exceeds the exercise price. A put option is “in the money” if the exercise price exceeds the value of the futures contract that is the subject of the option.

Limitations on Use of Futures and Futures Options

A Fund will only enter into futures contracts and futures options which are standardized and traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system.

When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made by a Fund, the Fund is required to deposit with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) a specified amount of assets determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser in accordance with established procedures (“initial margin”). The margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified during the term of the contract. Margin requirements on foreign exchanges may be different than U.S. exchanges. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract that is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Each such Fund expects to earn interest income on its initial margin deposits. A futures contract held by the Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or receives cash, called “variation margin,” equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. This process is known as “marking-to-market.” Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund, but is instead a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. In computing daily net asset value, the Fund will mark-to-market its open futures positions.

A Fund is also required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option, and other futures positions held by the Fund.

Some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities or commodities, referred to as “physical delivery.” However, these obligations are generally closed out prior to the contractual delivery date by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument or commodity with the same delivery date. If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

A Fund may write covered straddles consisting of a call and a put written on the same underlying futures contract. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund will also segregate liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

When purchasing a futures contract that requires physical delivery, a Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) assets determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser in accordance with established procedures that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high as or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund.

 

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When selling a futures contract that requires physical delivery, a Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) assets determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser in accordance with established procedures that are equal to the market value of the instruments underlying the contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by owning the instruments underlying the contract (or, in the case of an index futures contract, a portfolio with a volatility substantially similar to that of the index on which the futures contract is based), or by holding a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same futures contract at a price no higher than the price of the contract written by the Fund (or at a higher price if the difference is maintained in liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian).

Some futures contracts do not allow physical delivery on the expiration date, but only settlement of daily variation margin. These are referred to as “cash settle contracts.” A Fund that enters into cash settle contracts will maintain 5% of the notional market value of such contracts in liquid assets with its custodian, marked to market daily.

When selling a call option on a futures contract, a Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) assets determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser in accordance with established procedures, that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, equal the total market value of the futures contract underlying the call option. Alternatively, the Fund may cover its position by entering into a long position in the same futures contract at a price no higher than the strike price of the call option, by owning the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by holding a separate call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same futures contract at a price not higher than the strike price of the call option sold by the Fund.

The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company also may limit the extent to which a Fund may enter into futures, futures options or forward contracts. See “Taxation.”

Risks Associated with Futures and Futures Options

There are several risks associated with the use of futures contracts and futures options as hedging techniques. A purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract. There can be no guarantee that there will be a correlation between price movements in the hedging vehicle and in the Fund securities being hedged. In addition, there are significant differences between the securities and futures markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between the markets, causing a given hedge not to achieve its objectives. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as variations in speculative market demand for futures and futures options on securities, including technical influences in futures trading and futures options, and differences between the financial instruments being hedged and the instruments underlying the standard contracts available for trading in such respects as interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.

Futures contracts on U.S. Government securities historically have reacted to an increase or decrease in interest rates in a manner similar to the reaction of the underlying U.S. Government securities. To the extent that a municipal bond fund enters into such futures contracts, however, the value of such futures will not vary in direct proportion to the value of the Fund’s holdings of municipal securities. Thus, the anticipated spread between the price of the futures contract and the hedged security may be distorted due to differences in the nature of the markets. The spread also may be distorted by differences in initial and variation margin requirements, the liquidity of such markets and the participation of speculators in such markets.

 

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Futures exchanges may limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of the current trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when a Fund seeks to close out a futures or a futures option position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist for any derivative.

Risks Associated with Commodity Futures Contracts

There are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts.

Storage. Unlike the financial futures markets, in the commodity futures markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while a Fund is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.

Reinvestment. In the commodity futures markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling futures contracts today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer generally must sell the futures contract at a lower price than the expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the futures market are purchasing futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the futures contract at a higher futures price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for a Fund. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in futures markets has shifted when it is time for a Fund to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new futures contract, the Fund might reinvest at higher or lower futures prices, or choose to pursue other investments.

Other Economic Factors. The commodities that underlie commodity futures contracts may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as droughts, floods, weather, livestock diseases, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments, including futures contracts, than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject a Fund’s investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.

Additional Risks of Options on Securities, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts, and Forward Currency Exchange Contracts and Options on Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts.

Options on securities, futures contracts, and options on currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in,

 

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or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in a Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States, and (v) lesser trading volume.

Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements

Each Fund (except the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund) may engage in swap transactions, including, but not limited to, swap agreements on interest rates, security or commodity indexes, specific securities and commodities, total return swaps and credit default and event-linked swaps. To the extent a Fund may invest in foreign currency-denominated securities, it may also invest in currency exchange rate swap agreements. A Fund may also enter into options on swap agreements (“swap options”).

A Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objective and policies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique, to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in a more cost efficient manner.

Over-the-counter swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard over-the-counter “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities or commodities representing a particular index. A “quanto” or “differential” swap combines both an interest rate and a currency transaction. Certain swap agreements, such as interest rate swaps, are traded on exchanges and cleared through central clearing counter partners. Other forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. A total return swap agreement is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a single stock, a basket of stocks, or a stock index during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. As a matter of operating policy, the aggregate purchase price of caps and floors held by a Fund may not exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase.

Consistent with a Fund’s investment objective and general investment policies, certain of the Funds may invest in commodity swap agreements. For example, an investment in a commodity swap agreement may involve the exchange of floating-rate interest payments for the total return on a commodity index. In a total return commodity swap, a Fund will receive the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. If the commodity swap is for one period, the Fund may pay a fixed fee, established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is more than one period, with interim swap payments, the Fund may pay an adjustable or floating fee. With a “floating” rate, the fee may be pegged to a base rate and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, the Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.

 

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A Fund may enter into over-the-counter and cleared credit default swap agreements. While the structure of a credit default swap depends on the particular swap agreement, a typical credit default structure is as follows. The protection “buyer” in an over-the-counter 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 until a credit event, such as a default, on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event of default occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap transaction. 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. However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund (if the buyer) will receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap. Credit default swap agreements sold by a Fund may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, and with respect to over-the-counter credit default swaps, counterparty risk and credit risk.

A Fund may also enter into swap options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. Each Fund (except the Payden Equity Income and Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Funds) may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options.

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

Whether a Fund’s use of swap agreements or swap options will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the ability of the Fund’s investment adviser to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid depending on the underlying circumstances. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. A Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit the Funds’ ability to use swap agreements.

Following the adoption and implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), many categories of swaps (such as interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and swaps on broad-based securities indexes) are commodity interests subject to the jurisdiction of the CFTC. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, swaps are subject to a comprehensive regulatory regime overseen by the CFTC and the SEC. One key aspect of these regulations provides for the centralized clearing of several categories of swap transactions. Centralized clearing may reduce some risks associated with bilateral trading – like counterparty and credit risks – but may present other risks, like risks associated with the failure of the member firm through which swaps are submitted for clearing. Unless an exception applies, swap transactions that are subject to the centralized clearing requirement are required to be executed on a designated contract market or a swap execution facility, and the clearing organizations for those transactions may impose initial and variation margin requirements. Swaps that are uncleared may be subject to margin requirements imposed by regulation. A swap counterparty will have certain recordkeeping requirements regarding its swap transactions, and information about those transactions may be required to be reported and made publicly available. These requirements will impose additional costs on entering into swaps. For more information on these requirements, see “Government Regulation of Derivatives,” below.

 

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Structured Notes

Structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities include structured notes as well as securities other than debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile. To the extent a Fund invests in these securities, however, the Fund’s investment adviser analyzes these securities in its overall assessment of the effective duration of the Fund’s portfolio in an effort to monitor the Fund’s interest rate risk.

Hybrid Instruments

A hybrid instrument is a type of potentially high-risk derivative that combines a traditional stock, bond, or commodity with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a hybrid is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some commodity, currency or securities index or another interest rate or some other economic factor (each a “benchmark”). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed income securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. An example of a hybrid could be a bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest that accrues in correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. Such a hybrid instrument would be a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.

Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero.

Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes a Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund. No Fund will invest more than 5% of its total assets in hybrid instruments.

Certain hybrid instruments may provide exposure to the commodities markets. These are derivative securities with one or more commodity-linked components that have payment features similar to commodity futures contracts, commodity options, or similar instruments. Commodity-linked hybrid instruments may be either equity or debt securities, and are considered hybrid instruments because they have both security and commodity-like characteristics. A portion of the value of these instruments may be derived from the value of a commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable. A Fund will only invest in commodity-linked hybrid instruments that qualify under applicable rules of the CFTC for an exemption from the provisions of the CEA.

 

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Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instruments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a 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.

Government Regulation of Derivatives

Additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or prevent a Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent a Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Funds engage in derivative transactions could also prevent the Funds from using certain instruments.

There is also a possibility of additional future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Funds or the ability of the Funds to continue to implement their investment strategies. The futures, options and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of swaps, options and futures transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action.

Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act governs the use of derivative investments and certain financing transactions (e.g. reverse repurchase agreements) by registered investment companies. Among other things, Rule 18f-4 created limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminated the requirement to comply with the asset segregation framework arising from prior SEC guidance for covering certain derivative instruments and related transactions, treats derivatives as senior securities, and requires funds to implement a risk management program and appoint a risk manager, subject to certain exceptions. A fund that limits its investment in derivatives to 10% of its net assets and implements written policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks is not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4.

The Dodd-Frank Act has changed and will continue to change the way in which the U.S. financial system is supervised and regulated. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a legislative framework for over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, including financial instruments, such as swaps, in which the Funds may invest. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and requires clearing and exchange trading of many derivatives transactions. The definitions of “swap” and “security-based swap” were finalized by the CFTC and SEC and were effective in October 2012. These definitions provide the parameters around which contracts subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Act. For purposes of the Funds’ fundamental policies, all swap agreements and other derivative instruments that were not classified as commodities prior to the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Act are not deemed to be commodities or commodity contracts.

Provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act include capital and margin requirements and the mandatory use of clearinghouse mechanisms for many derivative transactions. The CFTC, SEC and other federal regulators have developed the rules and regulations enacting the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Requirements, including capital requirements and mandatory clearing, may increase the cost of a Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors.

In derivative transactions that are now required or permitted to be cleared, a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of the clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives positions, the Fund will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through their accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house.

In some ways, cleared derivative arrangements can be less favorable to the Funds than OTC arrangements. For example, a Fund may be required to provide more margin for cleared derivatives positions than for OTC derivatives positions. Also, in contrast to an over-the-counter derivatives position, following a period of notice to a Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of an existing cleared derivatives position at any time or an increase in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing positions or to terminate those positions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination of existing cleared derivatives positions by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Increased margin requirements could also expose a Fund to greater credit risk to its clearing member because margin for cleared derivatives positions in excess of a clearing house’s margin requirements may be held by the clearing member. A Fund could also be subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared, and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund’s behalf. In such cases, the position might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the position, including loss of an increase in the value of the position and/or loss of hedging protection, or could realize a loss.

Some types of cleared derivatives are required to be executed on an exchange or on a swap execution facility. A swap execution facility is a trading platform where multiple market participants can execute derivatives by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants in the platform. While this execution requirement is designed to increase transparency and liquidity in the cleared derivatives market, trading on a swap execution facility can create additional costs and risks for the Funds. For example, swap execution facilities typically charge fees, and if a Fund executes derivatives transactions on a swap execution facility through a broker intermediary, the intermediary may impose fees as well. Also, a Fund may be required to indemnify a swap execution facility, or a broker intermediary, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Fund’s transactions on the swap execution facility.

These and other recent rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict the Funds’ ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Funds of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Funds, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. These regulations are evolving, so their potential impact on the Funds and the financial system are not yet known. While the regulations and central clearing of certain derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk, there is no assurance that the clearing mechanisms will achieve that result.

Exclusion from Definition of Commodity Pool Operator

Pursuant to amendments by the CFTC to Rule 4.5 under the CEA, each Fund’s investment adviser has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the applicable Fund(s). The Funds and their investment advisers are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as pool operators under the CEA. In order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Funds are significantly limited in their ability to invest in commodity futures, options and swaps (including securities futures, broad-based stock index futures and financial futures contracts). As a result, the Funds will be more limited in their ability to use these instruments than in the past, and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability of the investment advisers to manage the Funds, and on the Funds’ performance. If a Fund’s operators were to lose their ability to claim this exclusion with respect to the Fund, such persons would be required to comply with certain CFTC rules regarding commodity pools that could impose additional regulatory requirements, compliance obligations and expenses for the Fund.

DELAYED FUNDING LOANS AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES

Each Fund (except the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund and the Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund) may enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowing arrangements in which the lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrower repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment may be borrowed again during the term of the revolving credit facility. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that the Fund is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times segregate assets determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser in accordance with established procedures in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.

A Fund may invest in delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, the Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value. Each Fund currently intends to treat delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities for which there is no readily available market as illiquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments. For a further discussion of the risks involved in investing in loan participations and other forms of direct indebtedness see “Loan Participations and Assignments.” Participation interests in revolving credit facilities will be subject to the limitations discussed in “Loan Participations and Assignments.” Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are considered to be debt obligations for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction relating to the lending of funds or assets by the Fund.

WHEN-ISSUED, DELAYED DELIVERY AND FORWARD COMMITMENT TRANSACTIONS

Each of the Funds may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis. When such purchases are outstanding, the Fund will segregate until the settlement date assets determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser in accordance with established procedures, in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price. Typically, no income accrues on securities the Fund has committed to purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made, although the Fund may earn income on securities it has segregated.

When purchasing a security on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis, a Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining its net asset value. Because the Fund is not required to pay for the security until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund’s other investments. If the Fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment purchases are outstanding, the purchases may result in a form of leverage.

When a Fund has sold a security on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis, the Fund does not participate in future gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the Fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or could suffer a loss. Additionally, when selling a security on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis without owning the security, a Fund will incur a loss if the security’s price appreciates in value such that the security’s price is above the agreed upon price on the settlement date. A Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a transaction after it is entered into, and may sell when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss. There is no percentage limitation on the extent to which a Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis.

 

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FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

As indicated in the applicable Prospectuses, certain Funds may enter into foreign currency transactions. A Fund normally conducts its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currencies or on a forward basis. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will enter into forward currency contracts (contracts to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date and price). The Fund generally will not enter into a forward currency contract with a term of greater than one year. Although forward currency contracts are used primarily to protect the Fund from adverse currency movements, they may also be used to increase exposure to a currency, and involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted and the Fund’s total return will be adversely affected as a result. Most forward foreign currency transactions entered into by the Funds calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, a Fund’s obligations will be equal to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). A Fund’s gain or loss position under the forward transaction will be accrued daily and any net loss positions will be covered by the segregation of assets determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser in accordance with established procedures.

Precise matching of the amount of forward currency contracts and the value of securities denominated in such currencies of a Fund will not generally be possible, since 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 the forward currency contract is entered into and the date it matures. Prediction of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may commit a substantial portion of its assets to the consummation of these contracts. Under normal market conditions, consideration of the prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into the longer term investment decisions made with regard to overall diversification strategies.

At the maturity of a forward currency contract, a Fund may either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an “offsetting” contract obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same amount of the foreign currency.

It may be necessary for a Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the security is less than the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.

If a Fund retains a portfolio security and engages in an offsetting foreign currency transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or a loss to the extent that there has been movement in forward contract prices. If the Fund engages in an offsetting foreign currency transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract to sell the foreign currency. Should forward prices decline during the period between the date the Fund enters into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell.

A Fund’s dealings in forward foreign currency exchange contracts will generally be limited to the transactions described above. However, the Funds reserve the right to enter into forward foreign currency contracts for different purposes and under different circumstances. Use of forward currency contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. Additionally, although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in the value of that currency.

 

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Although a Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. Foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, but they do realize a profit based on the difference (the “spread”) between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN FINANCIAL MARKETS

Governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators have responded to major economic disruptions through various monetary policy changes. Some changes include direct infusions of capital into companies or lower interest rates. On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”) that provides $1.9 trillion in funding, program changes, and tax policies aimed at mitigating the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite ARP’s positive short-term effects, there is no guarantee that ARP or other similar stimulus legislation (within the U.S. or elsewhere) will have their intended long-term effect. In addition, an unexpected or quick reversal of such policies could increase volatility in securities markets, which could adversely affect a Fund’s investments.

The instability in the financial markets after the financial downturn that began in 2008 led the U.S. Government and other governments and regulators around the world to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Most significantly, the U.S. Government enacted a broad-reaching regulatory framework over the financial services industry and consumer credit markets, the potential long-term impact of which on the value of securities held by a Fund is still unknown. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Funds invest, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Funds themselves are regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The U.S. Government recently terminated its “quantitative easing” initiatives, whereby it purchased trillions of dollars of distressed assets over the course of several years. The implications of government purchase, ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and the existence or winding up such programs may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Funds’ portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Funds to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Funds. Each Fund’s investment adviser will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

The value of a Fund’s holdings is also generally subject to the risk of future local, national, or global economic disturbances based on unknown weaknesses in the markets in which the Fund invests. In the event of such a disturbance, issuers of securities held by a Fund may experience significant declines in the value of their assets and even cease operations, or may receive government assistance accompanied by increased restrictions on their business operations or other government intervention. In addition, it is not certain that the U.S. Government or foreign governments will intervene in response to a future market disturbance and the effect of any such future intervention cannot be predicted. It is difficult for issuers to prepare for the impact of future financial downturns, although companies can seek to identify and manage future uncertainties through risk management programs.

INCREASING GOVERNMENT DEBT

The total public debt of the United States as a percent of gross domestic product has grown rapidly since 2008. Current governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain high debt levels for the foreseeable future. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt cost higher and cause the U.S. Treasury to sell additional debt with shorter maturity periods, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that the U.S. Government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due. In the worst case, unsustainable debt levels can cause devaluations of currencies, prevent the U.S. Government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns and contribute to market volatility.

In the past, U.S. sovereign credit has experienced downgrades and there can be no guarantee that it will not experience further downgrades in the future by rating agencies. The market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government may be adversely affected by a rating agency’s decision to downgrade the sovereign credit rating of the United States. Uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. government to increase the statutory debt ceiling could increase the risk that the U.S. government may default on payments on certain U.S. government securities, cause the credit rating of the U.S. government to be downgraded, increase volatility in the stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates, reduce prices of U.S. Treasury securities, and/or increase the costs of various kinds of debt. The performance of a Fund that holds securities of a U.S. Government-sponsored entity will be negatively affected if that entity is adversely impacted by legislative or regulatory action, is unable to meet its obligations, or has its creditworthiness decline.

RATINGS AS INVESTMENT CRITERIA

In general, the ratings of nationally recognized rating services represent the opinions of these agencies as to the quality of securities that they rate. Such ratings, however, are relative and subjective, are not absolute standards of quality and do not evaluate the market value risk of the securities. These ratings may be used by the Funds except for the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, as initial criteria for the selection of portfolio securities, but the Funds also will rely upon the independent advice of their advisers to evaluate potential investments. Among the factors that will be considered are the long-term ability of the issuer to pay principal and interest and general economic trends.

If, after purchase, the credit rating on a security is downgraded or the credit quality deteriorates, or if the maturity is extended, a Fund’s portfolio managers will decide whether the security should be held or sold. Upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or defaults, the investors in a security held by a Fund may become the holders of underlying assets. In that case, the Fund may become the holder of securities that it could not otherwise purchase at a time when those assets may be difficult to sell or can be sold only at a loss.

LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

To realize additional income, certain of the Funds may lend securities with a value of up to 30% of their respective total assets to broker-dealers, institutional investors or other persons. Each loan will be secured by collateral which is maintained at no less than 100% of the value of the securities loaned by marking-to-market daily. A Fund will have the right to call each loan and obtain the securities on five business days’ notice or, in connection with securities trading on foreign markets, within a longer period of time which coincides with the normal settlement period for purchases and sales of such securities in such foreign markets. Loans will only be made to persons deemed by the Fund’s investment adviser to be of good standing in accordance with standards approved by the Board and will not be made unless, in the judgment of the Fund’s investment adviser, the consideration to be earned from such loans would justify the risk. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, voting rights or rights to consent with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE MEASURES

Each Fund may establish and maintain reserves when the Fund’s investment adviser determines that such reserves would be desirable for temporary defensive purposes (for example, during periods of substantial volatility in interest rates) or to enable it to take advantage of buying opportunities. A Fund’s reserves may be invested in domestic and foreign money market instruments, including government obligations.

BORROWING

Each Fund may borrow for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes, or for the clearance of transactions, and then only in amounts not exceeding 30% of its total assets valued at market (for this purpose, reverse repurchase agreements and delayed delivery transactions covered by segregated accounts are not considered to be borrowings). The Payden U.S. Government Fund may not borrow amounts exceeding 33% of total assets valued at market (including reverse repurchase agreements and delayed delivery transactions). The 1940 Act requires each Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, a Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. To avoid the potential leveraging effects of a Fund’s borrowings, additional investments will not be made while borrowings are in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased. Each Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with any such borrowings or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit, either of which would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

Borrowing involves special risk considerations. Interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. To the extent a Fund is leveraged, the value of its assets will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value, and to decrease more when its portfolio securities decrease in value, than if its assets were not leveraged. The rights of any lender to the Fund to receive payments of interest or repayments of principal will be senior to those of the investors in the Fund. Consequently, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales. Also, the terms of any borrowings may contain provisions that limit certain activities of the Fund, including the ability to make distributions.

REDEMPTION RISK

Each Fund may experience periods of heavy redemptions that could cause a Fund to liquidate its assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, particularly during periods of declining or illiquid markets. Such events could adversely affect the values of shares held by investors that remain invested in the Funds. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that a Fund has investors with large shareholdings, short investment horizons, or unpredictable cash flow needs. In addition, redemption risk is heightened during periods of overall market turmoil. Redemptions of a large number of shares of a Fund may affect the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio, increase the Fund’s transaction costs and/or lead to the liquidation of the Fund.

Redemption risk is particularly pronounced when a small number of investors owns a substantial portion of a particular Fund. Certain account holders, including funds or accounts managed by Payden, or their respective affiliates, may invest in the Funds and may at times have substantial investments in one or more Funds. Other institutional investors also may at times have substantial investments in one or more Funds. As a result, the Funds are subject to the risk that a relatively large redemption or purchase of a Fund’s shares by a large investor could adversely affect the Fund’s performance if it is forced to sell portfolio securities or invest cash when the Fund’s investment adviser would not ordinarily choose to do so.

MANAGEMENT RISK

Each Fund’s investment adviser’s judgments about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values or potential appreciation of particular investment strategies or sectors or securities purchased for a Fund’s portfolio may prove to be incorrect, all of which could cause the Fund to perform less favorably and may result in a decline in the Fund’s share price. Each Fund’s investment adviser selects investments for the Fund based in part on information and data that the issuers of such securities file with various government agencies or make directly available to the investment adviser or that the investment adviser obtains from other sources. Each Fund’s investment adviser is not in a position to confirm the completeness, genuineness or accuracy of such information and data, and in some cases, complete and accurate information is not readily available. It is also possible that information on which the investment adviser relies could be wrong or misleading. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to each Fund’s investment adviser in connection with managing the Fund and may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment goals and objectives.

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT

Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act requires, among other things, that the Funds establish a liquidity risk management program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. The Funds implemented a liquidity risk management program to meet the relevant requirements. Additionally, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved the designation of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program administrator to administer such program and will review no less frequently than annually a written report prepared by the administrator that addresses the operation of the program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. Costs associated with complying with the rule could impact the Fund’s performance and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

VALUATION RISK

Many factors may influence the price at which a Fund could sell any particular portfolio investment. The sales price may well differ (higher or lower) from the Fund’s last valuation, and such differences could be significant, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, a Fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value methodologies. Shareholders who purchase or redeem shares of a Fund on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before a Fund determines its net asset value. Each Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers. The NAV per share of each class of the Fund is generally calculated as of the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day on which the NYSE is open. Because of the differences in distribution fees and class specific expenses, the per share NAV of each class of the Fund will differ.

REGULATORY RISK

Financial entities, such as investment companies and investment advisers, are generally subject to extensive government regulation and intervention. Government regulation and/or intervention may change the way a Fund is regulated, affect the expenses incurred directly by the Fund and the value of its investments, and limit and/or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Government regulation may change frequently and may have significant adverse consequences. Moreover, government regulation may have unpredictable and unintended effects. For example, the Volcker Rule’s restrictions on proprietary trading may negatively impact fixed income market making capacity and could, therefore, result in reduced liquidity in fixed income markets. Additional legislative or regulatory actions to address perceived liquidity or other issues in fixed income markets generally, or in particular markets such as the municipal securities market, may alter or impair the Funds’ ability to pursue their investment objectives or utilize certain investment strategies and techniques. While there continues to be uncertainty about the full impact of these and other regulatory changes, it is the case that the Funds will be subject to a more complex regulatory framework, and may incur additional costs to comply with new requirements as well as to monitor for compliance in the future.

Actions by governmental entities may also impact certain instruments in which the Fund invests. For example, certain instruments in which the Fund may invest rely in some fashion upon the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). LIBOR is an average interest rate determined by the ICE Benchmark Administration, that banks charge one another for the use of short -term money. After June 30, 2023, a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will cease to be published. The U.S. enacted legislation to create a process for replacing LIBOR in existing contracts that do not already provide for the use of a clearly defined replacement benchmark rate. After June 30, 2023, if a contract does not contain a fallback benchmark rate provision, the Secured Overnight Financing Rates published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York will automatically replace the USD LIBOR benchmark. The transition away from LIBOR may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, particularly if the documentation governing such instruments does not include fallback provisions addressing the transition from LIBOR. The transition may also result in a reduction in the value of certain instruments held by the Fund or reduce the effectiveness of related Fund transactions such as hedges. Any such effects of the transition away from LIBOR, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to the Fund.

MARKET EVENTS RISK

The value of the Fund’s securities may increase or decrease, rapidly or unpredictably. Some factors that may affect securities markets include changes in general market conditions, overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, investor sentiment and the global and domestic effects of a pandemic.

In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in the global economy and fluctuations in global financial markets. Governments and central banks responded to the pandemic and resulting economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, including direct capital infusions into companies and other issuers, new monetary policy tools and lower interest rates. The unprecedented fiscal response has contributed to elevated inflation rates, which have increased substantially in comparison to pre-pandemic rates and may rise further. In response to high inflation, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates in an attempt to slow economic growth. The Federal Reserve’s tightening of monetary policy, in conjunction with inflation and other factors, has the potential of inducing an economic slowdown, but the ultimate impact of these efforts is uncertain.

Other policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries and other recent events have affected global markets, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response to the invasion, the United States, along with various other countries, imposed broad economic sanctions against Russia. So far, Russia’s invasion has caused significant market disruptions and has negatively impacted global supply chains. The potential for wider conflict may result in further sanctions and economic disruptions. The extent of the impacts of the war in Ukraine may not be known for some time, but could result in further market and supply chain disruptions, increased inflation, and slow global economic growth.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, public health events, terrorism, natural disasters, war, and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

CYBER SECURITY RISK

As the use of technologies such as mobile devices and web-based (i.e., “cloud”) applications, and dependence on the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions becomes more prevalent, the Funds have become potentially more susceptible to operational risks through breaches in cyber security. In general, cyber-attacks result from deliberate attacks, but unintentional events may have effects similar to those caused by intentional conduct. Cyber security breaches could include, among other things, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users), infection by malicious software, such as malware or computer viruses, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems, networks or devices that are used to service a Fund’s operations, the unauthorized release of confidential information and causing operational disruption. Cyber security breaches of a Fund’s third party service providers can also subject a Fund to many of the same risks associated with direct cyber security breaches. A cyber security incident affecting a Fund, its investment adviser or its service providers could cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Fund to process transactions (including fulfillment of Fund share purchases and redemptions), violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, litigation costs, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, forensic investigation and remediation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cyber security incidents affecting issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, counterparties with which the Funds engage in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions. The Funds have established risk management systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security. However, there is no guarantee that such efforts will succeed, especially since the Funds do not directly control the cyber security systems of their third party administrators and other service providers. Additionally, as technology changes and evolves, new methods to carry out cyber attacks are constantly developing. As a result, there is a possibility that some cyber security risks have not been identified or prepared for, which impairs the Fund’s ability to prevent or respond to a cyber attack.

 

45


AVERAGE MATURITY AND DURATION CALCULATIONS

Average Maturity

The portfolio average maturity of a Fund will be computed by weighting the maturity of each security in the Fund’s portfolio by the market value of that security. For securities which have put dates, reset dates, or trade based on average life, the put date, reset date or average life will be used instead of the final maturity date for the average maturity calculation. Average life is normally used when trading mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities.

Duration

One common measure of the price volatility of a fixed income security is duration, a weighted average term-to-maturity of the present value of a security’s cash flows. As it is a weighted term-to-maturity, duration is generally measured in years and can vary from zero to the time-to-maturity of the security. Duration is a complex formula that utilizes cash flow and the market yield of the security. Bonds of the same maturity can have different durations if they have different coupon rates or yields.

For securities which pay periodic coupons and have a relatively short maturity, duration tends to approximate the term-to-maturity. As the maturity of the bond extends, the duration also extends but at a slower rate. For example, the duration of a 2-year security can be about 1.8 years; the duration of a 30-year bond will be roughly 10 to 11 years. However, the duration of any security that pays interest only at maturity is the term-to-maturity. Thus a 30-year zero coupon bond has a duration of 30 years.

Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities require a more complex duration calculation. These securities are generally collateralized with loans issued to individuals or businesses and often allow the borrower the discretion to repay the loan prior to maturity. Loan prepayments typically occur when interest rates have fallen sufficiently to allow the borrower to refinance the loan at a lower interest rate. Given that the cash flows for these types of securities are not known with certainty, the standard duration calculation is not accurate. An effective duration is calculated instead, using a process in which cash flows are estimated and duration is computed for a variety of interest rate scenarios. The effective duration of the security is the average of these durations weighted by the probability of each interest rate scenario. The effective duration for a bond with known cash flows is the same as its modified duration.

The effective duration of the portfolio can be determined by weighting the effective duration of each bond by its market value. Effective duration is a much better indicator of price volatility than term-to-maturity. For example, the term-to-maturity for both a 30-year bond and a 30-year zero coupon security is 30 years. A portfolio manager using average maturity to judge price volatility would expect to see no difference in portfolio impact from these two securities (given equal yield). However, the 30-year zero coupon bond will experience a percentage price change roughly three times greater than that of the 30-year bond.

DISCLOSURE OF FUND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

In order to exercise oversight over the disclosure of information about portfolio securities, the Board has adopted a policy and related procedures with respect to the disclosure of the portfolio holdings of each of its Funds. You may obtain a listing of the portfolio holdings of any Fund by sending a written request to the Fund at 333 South Grand Avenue, 39th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071. With the exception of certain third-party providers to the Funds, portfolio holdings of the Funds are made available to any person, including without limitation individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries that distribute the Fund’s shares and rating and ranking organizations, as of a month-end and are released after the following month-end. As an example, a Fund’s portfolio holdings as of January 31 are first made available to any person on March 1.

Employees of the following third-party service providers, whose job responsibilities require them to have access to a Fund’s portfolio holdings on a daily basis, are not subject to the delayed availability policy: the Fund’s investment

 

46


adviser, fund administrator, fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent, independent registered public accounting firm, outside counsel, and financial printer. Each of these third-party providers requires that their employees maintain the confidentiality of this information and prohibits any trading based on this confidential information. In addition, in order to comply with amendments to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, information concerning the holdings of the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, as well as its weighted average maturity and weighted average life, will be posted on Payden’s website and at http://www.sec.gov five business days after the end of the month and will remain posted for six months thereafter.

None of the Funds, their investment advisers, or any other party receives any compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio holdings of a Fund. With one exception, there are no ongoing arrangements for any Fund to make available to any person information on a Fund’s portfolio holdings outside the disclosure policy just described. The exception is a Florida governmental investor which requires certain information to permit it to meet certain regulatory accounting requirements in a timely fashion. Finally, each Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer must approve any disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings that is outside the terms of this disclosure policy.

There can be no guarantee that a Fund’s disclosure policy and related procedures will be effective in preventing the misuse of information about portfolio holdings of the Fund by the persons in possession of this information.

MANAGEMENT OF THE P&R TRUST

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The Trustees of the P&R Trust are responsible for the overall management of the Funds, including establishing the Funds’ policies, general supervision and review of their investment activities. Massachusetts law requires each Trustee to perform his or her duties as a Trustee, including duties as a member of any Board committee on which he or she serves, in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the P&R Trust, and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. The officers of the P&R Trust, who administer the Funds’ daily operations, are appointed by the Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees

The current members of the Board of Trustees and their affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are as set forth below. The Trustees listed as “Independent Trustees” are not “interested persons” of the P&R Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

NAMEADDRESS AND AGE

 

POSITION

WITH

P&R TRUST

  YEAR FIRST
ELECTED AS
A TRUSTEE
OF P&R TRUST
   

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  NUMBER OF
P&R TRUST
SERIES
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE
   

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY TRUSTEE

 

OTHER RELEVANT
EXPERIENCE

Independent Trustees

           

Stephanie Bell-Rose

333 South Grand

Avenue Los Angeles

CA 90071

Age: 66

  Trustee     2020     Retired, Senior Managing Director, TIAA     All (20)     None   Corporate Director Experience

W.D. Hilton, Jr.
333 South Grand

Avenue Los Angeles,

CA 90071

Age: 76

  Trustee     1993    

Trustee/ Administrator,

As bestos Bankruptcy Trusts; General Partner, Menden hall Partners Ltd.; Private Investor

    All (20)     None  

Bank board experience

 

Executive management (CFO) experience

 

Board service for charitable/ educational/nonprofit organizations

Thomas V. McKernan
333 South Grand
Avenue Los Angeles,

CA 90071

Age: 78

  Trustee     1993    

Vice Chair, Automobile

Club of Southern California; Director, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks; Director, First American Financial

    All (20)     None  

Executive management (CFO) experience

 

Corporate Director experience

Rosemarie T. Nassif
333 South Grand
Avenue Los Angeles,

CA 90071

Age: 81

  Trustee     2008    

Executive Director, Center for Catholic Education, Loyola Marymount University

 

President Emerita, Holy Names University

    All (20)     None  

Bank board experience

 

Board service for charitable/ educational/nonprofit organizations

 

47


NAMEADDRESS AND AGE

 

POSITION

WITH

P&R TRUST

  YEAR FIRST
ELECTED AS
A TRUSTEE
OF P&R TRUST
 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  NUMBER OF
P&R TRUST
SERIES
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE
 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY TRUSTEE

 

OTHER RELEVANT
EXPERIENCE

Andrew J. Policano

333 South Grand

Avenue Los Angeles,

CA 90071

Age: 73

  Trustee   2008   Former Dean, The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California Irvine   All (20)  

None

 

Published research — finance & economics

 

Board service for charitable/

educational/nonprofit organizations

 

Ph.D — Economics

Dennis C. Poulsen
333 South Grand
Avenue Los Angeles,

CA 90071

Age: 80

  Trustee   1992  

Chairman,

Clean Energy Enterprises;

Private Investor

  All (20)   None  

Executive management (CEO) experience

 

Board service for charitable/ educational/nonprofit organizations

 

J.D.

Interested Trustees*

           

Asha B. Joshi
333 South Grand
Avenue Los Angeles,

CA 90071

Age: 65

  Trustee   2021   Managing Director,
Payden & Rygel
  All (20)    

Jordan H. Lopez

333 South Grand
Avenue Los Angels,
CA 90071

Age 42

  Trustee   2020  

Director,

Payden & Rygel

  All (20)    

(*)  “Interested 

persons” of the P&R Trust by virtue of their affiliation with Payden.

 

48


Information Concerning the Board

The Role of the Board.  The Board provides oversight of the management and operations of all of the Funds. Like all mutual funds, the day-to-day responsibility for the management and operation of the Funds is the responsibility of various service providers to the Funds, such as the Funds’ investment advisers, distributor, administrator, custodian and transfer agent. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Funds and their service providers. The Board has appointed various senior individuals of an adviser to the Funds to serve as officers of the P&R Trust, with responsibility to monitor and report to the Board on the day-to-day operations of the Funds. In conducting this oversight, the Board receives regular reports from these officers and service providers regarding the operations of each of the Funds. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who administers the compliance program for the Funds and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters. Some of these reports are provided as part of formal board meetings which are typically held quarterly, in person, and involve the Board’s review of recent operations of the various Funds. From time to time, one or more members of the Board may also meet with P&R Trust officers in less formal settings, between formal board meetings, to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual Trustee of the P&R Trust is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Funds and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the investments, operations or activities of the various Funds.

Board Leadership Structure.  The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to effectively perform its oversight function. It has established three standing committees, an Audit Committee, a Liquidity and Valuation Committee and a Governance Committee, which are discussed in greater detail below under “Board Committees.” More than sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the members of the Board are Independent Trustees. The members of each of the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee are all Independent Trustees. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee.

 

49


Board Oversight of Risk Management.  As part of its oversight function, the Board receives and reviews various risk management reports and assessments and discusses these matters with appropriate management and other personnel. Because risk management is a broad concept comprised of many elements (such as, for example, investment risk, issuer and counterparty risk, compliance risk, operational risks, business continuity risks, etc.) the oversight of different types of risks is handled in different ways. For example, the Audit Committee supports the Board’s oversight of risk management in a variety of ways, including (i) meeting with the Funds’ Treasurer and with the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure of the Funds’ financial reporting function and compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and (ii) reporting to the Board as to these and other matters. Similarly, the Liquidity and Valuation Committee supports the Board’s oversight of risk management in the context of the pricing of securities and any potential impact on the net asset value for the various Funds.

Information about Each Trustee’s Qualification, Experience, Attributes or Skills.  The Governance Committee of the Board and the Board itself select Independent Trustees with a view toward constituting a board of trustees that, as a body, possesses the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience to appropriately oversee the actions of each of the service providers to each of the Funds, to decide upon matters of general policy and to represent the long-term interests of the shareholders of each of the Funds. In doing so, the Governance Committee and the Board consider the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience of the current Board members, with a view toward maintaining a board that is diverse in viewpoint, experience, education and skills.

The Board seeks Independent Trustees who have high ethical standards and the highest levels of integrity and commitment, who have inquiring and independent minds, mature judgment, good communication skills, and other complementary personal qualifications and skills that enable them to function effectively in the context of the board and committee structure of the P&R Trust, and who have the ability and willingness to dedicate sufficient time to effectively fulfill their duties and responsibilities.

As indicated in the chart above, each Independent Trustee has a significant record of accomplishments in governance, business, not-for-profit organizations, government service, academia, law, accounting or other professions. Although no single list could identify all experience upon which each Independent Trustee draws in connection with his or her service, the chart summarizes key experience for each Independent Trustee. These references to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the Independent Trustees are pursuant to the disclosure requirements of the SEC, and shall not be deemed to impose any greater responsibility or liability on any Trustee or the Board as a whole. Notwithstanding the accomplishments listed, none of the Independent Trustees is considered an “expert” within the meaning of the Federal securities laws with respect to information in the registration statement for the Funds.

Interested Trustees have similar qualifications, skills and attributes as the Independent Trustees. Interested Trustees serve as senior officers of Payden or its affiliates. This management role with the service providers to the Funds also permits them to make a significant contribution to the Board.

 

50


Board Committees

The Board has established three standing committees — an Audit Committee, a Liquidity and Valuation Committee and a Governance Committee. The functions performed by each of these committees are described below. Each current Trustee of the P&R Trust attended 75% or more of the respective meetings of the full Board and of any committees of which he or she was a member that were held during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. The full Board met four times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.

Audit Committee.  Each Independent Trustee is a member of the P&R Trust’s Audit Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to: (i) oversee the P&R Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; (ii) oversee the quality and objectivity of the P&R Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) act as a liaison between the P&R Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board; (iv) oversee the selection of independent counsel and monitor its continued performance; (v) develop and recommend to the Board for its approval, an annual board self-assessment process; and (vi) receive reports from its members as to matters of regulatory news, industry developments or matters of interest learned through such member’s participation in industry forums, conferences or other programs in the nature of continuing education. Thomas V. McKernan, an Independent Trustee, is Chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.

Liquidity and Valuation Committee.  The Liquidity and Valuation Committee’s principal function is to generally oversee the P&R Trust’s pricing policies and procedures for securities in which the Funds invest as applied on a day-to-day basis by the P&R Trust’s management and the Funds’ investment advisers. The Liquidity and Valuation Committee is also responsible for recommending changes in these policies and procedures for adoption by the Board. Rosemarie T. Nassif, Stephanie Bell-Rose, Asha B. Joshi and Jordan H. Lopez are the Trustee members of the Liquidity and Valuation Committee, and Rosemarie T. Nassif is Chairman of the Liquidity and Valuation Committee. The Liquidity and Valuation Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.

Governance Committee.  The Governance Committee is responsible for the identification and evaluation of possible candidates to serve as Trustees of the P&R Trust. Each Independent Trustee is a member of the Governance Committee. Andrew J. Policano is Chair of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee is composed of Andrew Policano, Chair, along with W.B. Hilton , Thomas V. McKernan, and Dennis Poulsen met six times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Shareholders may recommend names of Trustee candidates for consideration as an independent Trustee by the Governance Committee by written submission to: The Payden & Rygel Investment Group, Attention: Reza Pishva, Secretary, 333 South Grand Avenue, 39th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

 

51


The Governance Committee evaluates candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and the independence of such candidates under the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Governance Committee believes that the significance of each nominee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is particular to that individual, meaning there is no single litmus test of these matters, and that board effectiveness is best evaluated at the group level, not at the individual trustee level. As a result, the Governance Committee has not established specific, minimum qualifications that must be met by an individual wishing to serve as a trustee of the P&R Trust. When evaluating candidates for a position on the Board, the Governance Committee considers the potential impact of the candidate, along with his or her particular experiences, on the Board as a whole. The diversity of a candidate’s background or experiences, when considered in comparison to the background and experiences of other members of the Board, may or may not impact the Governance Committee’s view as to the candidate. In assessing these matters, the Governance Committee typically considers the following minimum criteria: (i) the candidate’s experience as a director or senior officer of public companies or other fund complexes; (ii) the candidate’s educational background; (iii) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and personal and professional integrity; (iv) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills and qualifications; (v) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vi) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the candidate’s independence from the Funds’ service providers and the existence of any other relationships that might give rise to conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest; and (vii) such other factors as the Governance Committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies or other transitions (e.g., whether or not a candidate is an “audit committee financial expert” under the federal securities laws).

Trustee Compensation. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, each Independent Trustee received an annual retainer of $110,000 (paid quarterly at the rate of $27,500 per quarter), plus $10,000 for each in-person Board meeting, $4,500 for each Special Board meeting, $4,000 for each in-person Governance & Liquidity Committee meeting, $4,500 for each in-person Audit Committee meeting, $2,500 for each Special Committee Meeting, and reimbursement of related expenses. The chair of the Board received an annual retainer of $35,000, the chair of the Audit Committee received an annual retainer of $14,000 and each chair of any other Board Committee received an annual retainer of $12,000, in each case in addition to the annual Board retainer received by all Independent Trustees. The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid by the P&R Trust for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 to the Trustees who are not affiliated with Payden or Payden/Kravitz and the aggregate compensation paid to such Trustees for services on the Board. The P&R Trust does not maintain a retirement plan for its Trustees.

 

NAME

   AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
FROM P&R
TRUST
     PENSION OR
RETIREMENT
BENEFITS
ACCRUED AS
PART OF P&R
TRUST
EXPENSES
     ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
BENEFITS
UPON
RETIREMENT
     TOTAL
COMPENSATION
FROM P&R TRUST
AND P&R TRUST
COMPLEX
PAID TO TRUSTEE
 

Stephanie Bell-Rose

   $ 187,500        None        N/A      $ 187,500  

W.D. Hilton, Jr.

   $ 241,500        None        N/A      $ 241,500  

Thomas V. McKernan

   $ 202,000        None        N/A      $ 202,000  

Rosemarie T. Nassif

   $ 208,000        None        N/A      $ 208,000  

Andrew J. Policano

   $ 200,000        None        N/A      $ 200,000  

Dennis C. Poulsen

   $ 188,000        None        N/A      $ 188,000  

P&R Trust Fund Shares Owned by Trustees as of December 31, 2022

 

NAME

   DOLLAR RANGE
OF FUND SHARES
OWNED
     AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
OF SHARES OWNED IN
ALL P&R TRUST FUNDS
 

Independent Trustees

     

W.D. Hilton, Jr

        Over $100,000  

Payden Core Bond Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Corporate Bond Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Equity Income Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000     

Payden Floating Rate Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Global Low Duration Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden High Income Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Limited Maturity Fund

     Over $100,000     

Thomas V. McKernan

        Over $100,000  

Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Low Duration Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Strategic Income Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Equity Income Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden High Income Fund

     Over $100,000     

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     Over $100,000     

Rosemarie T. Nassif

        Over $100,000  

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000     

Payden High Income Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000     

Payden Low Duration Bond Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000     

Stephanie Bell-Rose

     

Payden Equity Income Fund

     $50,000 - $100,000     

 

52


NAME

   DOLLAR RANGE
OF FUND SHARES
OWNED
   AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
OF SHARES OWNED IN
ALL P&R TRUST FUNDS

Andrew J. Policano

      Over $100,000

Payden Corporate Bond Fund

   $10,001 - $50,000   

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   $1 - $10,000   

Payden Global Fixed Income Fund

   $10,001 - $50,000   

Payden Global Low Duration Bond Fund

   $1 - $10,000   

Payden High Income Fund

   $50,001 - $100,000   

Payden Equity Income Fund

   $10,001 - $50,000   

Payden Low Duration Bond Fund

   $1 - $10,000   

Dennis C. Poulsen

      Over $100,000

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   $10,001 - $50,000   

Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

   $1 - $10,000   

Payden Equity Income Fund

      Over $100,000

Payden High Income Fund

   $10,001 - $50,000   

Interested Trustees

     

Asha B. Joshi

   None   

Jordan H. Lopez

   None   

Officers

The current officers of the P&R Trust who perform policy-making functions and their affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are as set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE

  

POSITION

WITH

P&R TRUST

  

YEAR FIRST
ELECTED AS

AN OFFICER
OF P&R
TRUST

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Mary Beth Syal

333 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Age: 61

   Principal Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer    2021    Managing Director and Director, Payden & Rygel

Brian W. Matthews

333 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Age: 62

   Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer    2003    Managing Director, CFO and Director, Payden & Rygel

 

53


NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE

  

POSITION WITH

P&R TRUST

  

YEAR FIRST
ELECTED
AS AN OFFICER
OF P&R
TRUST

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Bradley F. Hersh

333 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Age: 54

   Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary    1998    Director and Treasurer, Payden & Rygel

Sandi A. Brents

333 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Age: 52

   Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary    2016    Senior Vice President, Risk Management and Senior Compliance Officer, Payden & Rygel

Reza Pishva

333 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Age: 48

   Secretary    2021    Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Payden & Rygel

Codes of Ethics

Each of the P&R Trust, Payden, and Payden & Rygel Distributors, the Funds’ distributor, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. Each Code of Ethics permits applicable personnel subject to the particular Code of Ethics to invest in securities, including under certain circumstances securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds of the P&R Trust.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Board adopted the P&R Trust’s “Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures” (“P&R Trust Proxy Policy”), pursuant to which it delegated the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Payden Funds to Payden as part of Payden’s general investment management responsibilities, subject to the continuing oversight of the Board. Under the P&R Trust Proxy Policy, Payden shall present to the Board at least annually its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies. The delegation by the Board to Payden of the authority to vote proxies may be revoked by the Board, in whole or in part, at any time. Information regarding how the P&R Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities of each of the Funds during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-572-9336, and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Payden’s “Proxy Voting Policy” states that it expects to fulfill its fiduciary obligation to each Payden Fund by monitoring events concerning the issuer of the particular security at issue and then by voting the proxies in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the applicable Payden Fund and that does not subordinate the Payden Fund’s interests to its own. With respect to several common issues that are presented, Payden’s policy provides that, absent special client circumstances or specific client policies or instructions, Payden will vote as follows on the issues listed below:

 

   

Vote for stock option plans and other incentive compensation plans that give both senior management and other employees an opportunity to share in the success of the issuer. However, consideration may be given to the amount of shareholder dilution.

 

   

Vote for programs that permit an issuer to repurchase its own stock.

 

   

Vote for proposals that support board independence (e.g., declassification of directors, or requiring a majority of outside directors).

 

54


   

Vote against management proposals to make takeovers more difficult (e.g., “poison pill” provisions, or supermajority votes).

 

   

Vote for management proposals on the retention of its independent registered public accounting firm. However, consideration may be given to the non-audit fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

   

Vote for management endorsed director candidates, absent any special circumstances.

With respect to the wide variety of social and corporate responsibility issues that are presented, Payden’s general policy is to take a position in favor of responsible social policies that are designed to advance the economic value of the issuing company. Further, Payden’s policy provides that, except in rare instances, abstention is not an acceptable position and votes will be cast either for or against all issues presented. If unusual or controversial issues are presented that are not covered by Payden’s general proxy voting policies, Payden’s Proxy Voting Committee will determine the manner of voting the proxy in question. However, many countries have “proxy blocking” regulations, which prohibit the sale of shares from the date that the vote is filed until the shareholder meeting. A Fund would be unable to sell its shares if a negative news event occurred during this time, thus harming shareholders. Payden reserves the right to decline to vote proxies for stocks affected by proxy blocking regulations.

From time to time, Payden may purchase for a Fund’s portfolio securities that have been issued by another of its investment advisory clients (other than an Acquired Fund). In that case, however, a conflict of interest may exist between the interests of the Fund and the interests of Payden. To ensure that proxy votes are voted in the Fund’s best interest and unaffected by any conflict of interest that may exist, Payden will vote on a proxy question that presents a material conflict of interest between the interests of the Fund and the interests of Payden as follows. If one of Payden’s general proxy voting policies described above applies to the proxy issue in question, Payden will vote the proxy in accordance with that policy. This assumes, of course, that the policy in question furthers the interests of the Fund and not of Payden. However, if the general proxy voting policy does not further the interests of the Fund, Payden will then seek specific instructions from the Fund.

 

55


CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Control Persons of the Payden Funds

As of January 31, 2023, the following persons held of record 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the following Payden Funds. The P&R Trust has no other information regarding the beneficial ownership of such shares:

 

FUND NAME

   CITY    STATE      %OWNERSHIP  

PAYDEN ABSOLUTE RETURN BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        72.17

PAYDEN ABSOLUTE RETURN BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO

   CHICAGO      IL        27.81

PAYDEN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SOCIAL IMPACT FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        53.83

PAYDEN CORE BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        31.85

PAYDEN CORE BOND FUND, ADVISER CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        90.47

PAYDEN CORE BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN OF COLORAD

   OAKLAND      CA        60.78

PAYDEN CORPORATE BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC

   BOSTON      MA        45.82

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKET BOND FUND, ADVISER CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        44.31

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        26.48

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        25.46

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS CORPORATE BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

MAC CO A C 825345

   PITTSBURGH      PA        53.41

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS CORPORATE BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY

   NORTHBROOK      IL        49.13

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

US BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        34.77

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

MAC CO A C 591781

   PITTSBURGH      PA        100.00

PAYDEN EQUITY INCOME FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        39.27

PAYDEN EQUITY INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        31.05

PAYDEN FLOATING RATE FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        33.24

TD AMERITRADE INC

   OMAHA      NE        27.19

PAYDEN FLOATING RATE FUND, SI CLASS

        

MAC CO A C 699659

   PITTSBURGH      PA        25.21

PAYDEN GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        52.67

PAYDEN GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        40.58

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        39.93

PAYDEN GLOBAL LOW DURATION FUND, INVESTOR

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        34.83

PAYDEN HIGH INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        45.27

PAYDEN LIMITED MATURITY FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        31.41

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        25.44

PAYDEN LIMITED MATURITY FUND, SI CLASS

        

MECHANICAL LICENSING COLLECTIVE

   NASHVILLE      TN        30.74

PAYDEN LOW DURATION FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SVCS CORP

   NEW YORK      NY        25.61

PAYDEN CASH RESERVES MONEY MARKET FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

JOHN ARRILLAGA JR SEPARATE PROP TRUST TRSTE

   HONOLULU      HI        41.26

PAYDEN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        86.45

PAYDEN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

JP MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS ACT

   BROOKLYN      NY        47.83

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, ADVISER CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        25.13

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

        

ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO

   FARGO      ND        47.57

MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO

   PHOENIX      AZ        36.41

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY USA

   BOSTON      MA        75.62

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, RETIREMENT CLASS

        

HARTFORD LIFE INS CO

   HARTFORD      CT        48.05

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO

   SPRINGFIELD      MA        42.96

 

56


If any of the above Payden Funds held an annual or special meeting of shareholders, the effect of other shareholders’ voting rights could be diminished by the influence of these controlling shareholders’ substantial voting power.

Principal Holders of Securities of the Payden Funds

As of January 31, 2023, the following persons held of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the following Payden Funds. The P&R Trust has no other information regarding the beneficial ownership of such shares.

 

FUND NAME

   CITY    STATE      %OWNERSHIP  

PAYDEN ABSOLUTE RETURN BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        72.17

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        12.60

PAYDEN ABSOLUTE RETURN BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO

   CHICAGO      IL        27.81

NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO

   CHICAGO      IL        18.49

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY

   OAKS      PA        9.85

HOWARD COUNTY MASTER TRUST

   ELLICOTT CITY      MD        9.09

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY

   OAKS      PA        8.65

MAC CO A C 554218

   PITTSBURGH      PA        6.32

NORTHERN TRUST AS CUSTODIAN

   CHICAGO      IL        5.38

PAYDEN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SOCIAL IMPACT FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        53.83

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        7.40

THE GIOIA F ARRILLAGA 2009 REV TRUST TRSTE

   PORTOLA VALLEY      CA        7.34

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        6.74

PAYDEN CORE BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        31.85

TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE

   OMAHA      NE        11.93

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC

   JACKSONVILLE      FL        10.06

MAC CO A C823908

   PITTSBURGH      PA        8.08

SAXON CO

   PHILADELPHIA      PA        5.49

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        5.10

PAYDEN CORE BOND FUND, ADVISER CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        90.47

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        7.76

PAYDEN CORE BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN OF COLORAD

   OAKLAND      CA        60.78

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        11.51

THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY CUSTODIA

   CHICAGO      IL        7.05

US BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        6.62

PAYDEN CORPORATE BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        23.33

MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST FBO

   PHOENIX      AZ        21.39

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        9.76

PERSHING LLC

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        7.76

SAXON CO

   CLEVELAND      OH        6.10

DCGT AS TTEE AND OR CUST

   DES MOINES      IA        5.03

PAYDEN CORPORATE BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

JOHN HANCOCK TRUST COMPANY LLC

   BOSTON      MA        45.82

MID ATLANTIC TRUST COMPANY FBO

   PITTSBURGH      PA        10.95

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        8.04

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        7.80

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKET BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        18.99

TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE

   OMAHA      NE        18.68

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        15.99

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKET BOND FUND, ADVISER CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        44.31

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        26.48

PERSHING LLC

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        20.66

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        25.46

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        12.18

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY

   OAKS      PA        9.21

MAC CO A C 331721

   PITTSBURGH      PA        6.97

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        6.87

MASSACHUSETTS LABORERS’

   BURLINGTON      MA        5.40

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS CORPORATE BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

MAC CO A C 825345

   PITTSBURGH      PA        53.41

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        13.85

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        9.53

JP MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS ACT

   BROOKLYN      NY        7.72

MAC CO A C 697310

   PITTSBURGH      PA        5.11

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS CORPORATE BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY

   NORTHBROOK      IL        49.13

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        23.51

THE DOROTHY SHEA 2017 WYOMING TRUST TRSTE

   WALNUT      CA        9.18

MAC CO A C 646974

   PITTSBURGH      PA        5.67

MAC CO A C 646975

   PITTSBURGH      PA        5.55

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

US BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        34.77

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        17.23

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        12.06

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        11.56

PERSHING LLC

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        9.79

EMJAY CORPORATION CUSTODIAN FBO

   GREENWOOD VILLAGE      CO        5.20

PAYDEN EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND, SI CLASS

        

MAC CO A C 591781

   PITTSBURGH      PA        100.00

PAYDEN EQUITY INCOME FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        39.27

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY

   OAKS      PA        15.01

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        9.92

US BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        7.06

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        6.42

PAYDEN EQUITY INCOME FUND, ADVISER CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        10.36

PAYDEN EQUITY INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        31.05

KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN OF COLORAD

   OAKLAND      CA        12.48

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        8.03

A&P CHILDREN INVESTMENT LLC

   PALO ALTO      CA        6.91

JOHN F SHEA FAMILY TRUST

   WALNUT      CA        5.75

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        5.73

PAYDEN FLOATING RATE FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        33.24

TD AMERITRADE INC

   OMAHA      NE        27.19

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        10.60

MAC CO A C 673033

   PITTSBURGH      PA        5.68

PAYDEN FLOATING RATE FUND, SI CLASS

        

MAC CO A C 699659

   PITTSBURGH      PA        25.21

JP MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS ACT

   BROOKLYN      NY        12.73

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        12.24

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        11.09

MAC & CO A/C 646974

   PITTSBURGH      PA        7.08

MAC & CO A/C 646975

   PITTSBURGH      PA        7.08

PAYDEN GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        52.67

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        22.01

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        9.41

PAYDEN GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        40.58

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        39.93

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        16.12

PAYDEN GLOBAL LOW DURATION FUND, INVESTOR

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        34.83

JP MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS ACT

   BROOKLYN      NY        13.40

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        10.53

KAISER-CASH

   OAKLAND      CA        6.94

PERSHING LLC

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        6.22

TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE

   OMAHA      NE        5.56

PAYDEN GNMA FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        16.74

TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE

   OMAHA      NE        10.61

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        10.44

A&P CHILDREN INVESTMENT LLC

   PALO ALTO      CA        8.47

JOHN ARRILLAGA JR SEPARATE PROP TRUST TRSTE

   HONOLULU      HI        7.15

PAYDEN HIGH INCOME FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        20.12

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FOR

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        15.14

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY

   OAKS      PA        12.28

TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE

   OMAHA      NE        9.92

MAC CO A C 646974

   PITTSBURGH      PA        7.76

MAC & CO A/C 646975

   PITTSBURGH      PA        6.43

PAYDEN HIGH INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        45.27

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        13.23

U S BANK FBO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        10.26

A&P CHILDREN INVESTMENT LLC

   PALO ALTO      CA        5.77

CCF-LA SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION

   LOS ANGELES      CA        5.51

PAYDEN LIMITED MATURITY FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        31.41

CAPINCO C O US BANK NA

   MILWAUKEE      WI        25.44

JP MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS ACT

   BROOKLYN      NY        9.18

PAYDEN LIMITED MATURITY FUND, SI CLASS

        

MECHANICAL LICENSING COLLECTIVE

   NASHVILLE      TN        30.74

MECHANICAL LICENSING COLLECTIVE

   NASHVILLE      TN        13.88

MAC CO A C 531159

   PITTSBURGH      PA        11.20

BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER

   BOSTON      MA        5.55

MAC CO A C 950376

   PITTSBURGH      PA        1.04

PAYDEN LOW DURATION FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SVCS CORP

   NEW YORK      NY        25.61

MAC CO A C 734109

   PITTSBURGH      PA        6.99

LPL FINANCIAL FBO

   SAN DIEGO      CA        6.89

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        6.01

PAYDEN LOW DURATION FUND, SI CLASS

        

MAC & CO A/C 531159

   PITTSBURGH      PA        19.65

BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER

   BOSTON      MA        17.81

SAXON & CO

   CLEVELAND      OH        15.61

TUFTS HEALTH PUBLIC PLANS INC

   WATERTOWN      MA        9.91

TUFTS ASSOCIATED HEALTH MAINT ORG INC

   WATERTOWN      MA        6.19

PAYDEN CASH RESERVES MONEY MARKET FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

JOHN ARRILLAGA JR SEPARATE PROP TRUST TRSTE

   HONOLULU      HI        41.26

MAC & CO

   PITTSBURGH      PA        10.48

BAND & CO

   MILWAUKEE      WI        7.45

PAYDEN HIGH INCOME FUND

   LOS ANGELES      CA        6.93

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

   LOS ANGELES      CA        5.07

PAYDEN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        86.45

INLAND EMPIRE IBEW/NECA HEALTH PLAN

   STOCKTON      CA        5.23

PAYDEN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

JP MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS ACT

   BROOKLYN      NY        47.83

NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY CUSTODIAN FBO

   CHICAGO      IL        16.73

MAC CO A C 345227

   PITTSBURGH      PA        11.60

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        8.95

THE DOROTHY SHEA 2017 WYOMING TRUST TRSTE

   WALNUT      CA        7.91

GOOD SAMARITAN SPECIFIC PURPOSE

   LOS ANGELES      CA        5.77

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, ADVISER CLASS

        

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO SPECIAL CUSTOD

   SAN FRANCISCO      CA        25.13

NATIONWIDE TRUST CO FSB

   COLUMBUS      OH        18.48

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO

   SPRINGFIELD      MA        15.69

EMPOWER TRUST FBO

   GREENWOOD VILLAGE      CO        13.92

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO

   SPRINGFIELD      MA        10.42

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC

   JERSEY CITY      NJ        5.56

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

        

ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO

   FARGO      ND        47.57

MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS CUST FBO

   PHOENIX      AZ        36.41

ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO

   FARGO      ND        16.02

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, SI CLASS

        

JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY USA

   BOSTON      MA        75.62

AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE

   LINCOLN      NE        8.82

PAYDEN MANAGED INCOME FUND, RETIREMENT CLASS

        

HARTFORD LIFE INS CO

   HARTFORD      CT        48.05

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO

   SPRINGFIELD      MA        42.96

EMPOWER TRUST FBO

   GREENWOOD VILLAGE      CO        5.71

PAYDEN US GOVERNMENT FUND, INVESTOR CLASS

        

A&P CHILDREN INVESTMENT LLC

   PALO ALTO      CA        21.53

JOHN ARRILLAGA JR SEPARATE PROP TRUST TRSTE

   HONOLULU      HI        16.10

PEERY CHILDREN INVESTMENT LLC

   PALO ALTO      CA        8.08

PEERY FOUNDATION

   PALO ALTO      CA        7.24

SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

   MOUNTAIN VIEW      CA        5.70

THE JUSTINE ALEXANDRA STAMEN ARRILLAGA

   HONOLULU      HI        5.15

ARRILLAGA FOUNDATION

   PALO ALTO      CA        5.00

 

57


Management Ownership of the Payden Funds

As of January 31, 2023, the Trustees and officers of the P&R Trust, collectively, owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each of the Payden Funds.

 

58


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Adviser — Payden Funds

Payden was founded in 1983 as an independent investment counseling firm specializing in the management of short term fixed income securities. Today, the firm provides a broad array of investment management services involving both fixed income and equity securities and other investment techniques. Payden is 100% privately owned by employee shareholders, all of whom are active in the firm’s operations. Joan Payden is the majority shareholder. As of such date, it had 450 client relationships, including pension funds, endowments, credit unions, foundations, corporate cash accounts and individuals, and managed total assets of approximately $138 billion.

Payden provides investment management services to the Payden Funds pursuant to an investment management agreement with the P&R Trust, dated as of June 24, 1992, as amended from time to time (the “Payden Agreement”). The Payden Agreement provides that Payden will pay all expenses incurred in connection with managing the ordinary course of a Payden Fund’s business, except the following expenses, which are paid by each Payden Fund: (i) the fees and expenses incurred by a Payden Fund in connection with the management of the investment and reinvestment of the Payden Fund’s assets; (ii) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons, as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, of Payden; (iii) the fees and expenses of the Trust’s custodian, transfer agent, fund accounting agent and administrator; (iv) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the P&R Trust and legal counsel to the Independent Trustees; (v) brokers’ commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to a Payden Fund in connection with its securities and futures transactions; (vi) all taxes and corporate fees payable by a Payden Fund to Federal, state or other governmental agencies; (vii) a Payden Fund’s portion of the fees of any trade associations of which the P&R Trust may be a member; (viii) a Payden Fund’s portion of the cost of fidelity bonds and trustees and officers errors and omission insurance; (ix) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of a Payden Fund and of its shares with the SEC, registering the P&R Trust as a broker or dealer and qualifying the shares of a Payden Fund under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the P&R Trust’s registration statements, prospectuses and statements of additional information for filing under Federal and state securities laws for such purposes; (x) communications expenses with respect to investor services and all expenses of shareholders’ and trustees’ meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders; (xi) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the P&R Trust’s business, and (xii) any expenses assumed by the P&R Trust pursuant to a plan of distribution adopted in conformity with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

The Payden Agreement provides that Payden receives a monthly fee from each Fund

 

59


at the following annual rates:

 

FUND

  

FEE

Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund

   0.15% of average daily net assets

Payden Limited Maturity Fund

   0.28% for the first $1 billion of average daily net assets

Payden Low Duration Fund

   0.25% of average daily net assets above $1 billion

Payden U.S. Government Fund

  

Payden Core Bond Fund

  

Payden Strategic Income Fund

   0.55% of average daily net assets

Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund

   0.50% of average daily net assets

Payden Corporate Bond Fund

   0.35% of average daily net assets

Payden GNMA Fund

   0.27% of average daily net assets

Payden High Income Fund

   0.35% of average daily net assets

Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund

   0.32% for the first $1 billion of average daily net assets
   0.25% of average daily net assets above $1 billion

Payden Global Low Duration Fund

   0.30% of the first $2 billion of average daily net assets

Payden Global Fixed Income Fund

   0.25% of average daily net assets above $2 billion

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   0.45% of average daily net assets

Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

   0.60% of average daily net assets

Payden Equity Income Fund

   0.50% for the first $2 billion of average daily net assets
   0.30% of average daily net assets above $2 billion

Payden Floating Rate Fund

   0.55% of average daily net assets

Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund

   0.80% of average daily net assets

Payden Managed Income Fund

   1.10% of average daily net assets

 

60


Gross fees earned by Payden, Payden Fund expenses subsidized by Payden and the net advisory fee or net expense subsidy for the three fiscal years ended October 31 for all Payden Funds are shown below.

 

     FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31  
     2020 (000S)     FY 2021 (000S)     2022 (000S)  
     FEE      SUBSIDY     NET     FEE      SUBSIDY     NET     FEE      SUBSIDY     NET  

Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund

     466        (484     (18     528        (1,151     (623     715        (919     (204

Payden Limited Maturity Fund

     2,679        (2,780     (101     5,073        (4,779     294       5,485        (6,437     (952

Payden Low Duration Fund

     4,112        (1,422     2,690       4,312        (1,319     2,993       3,808        (1,569     2,239  

Payden U.S. Government Fund

     120        (127     (7     106        (129     (23     87        (121     (34

Payden GNMA Fund

     339        (264     75       306        (257     49       239        (222     17  

Payden Core Bond Fund

     2,866        (492     2,374       3,560        (712     2,848       3,094        (731     2,363  

Payden Corporate Bond Fund

     1,659        (56     1,603       1,661        (23     1,638       1,413        (63     1,350  

Payden High Income Fund

     1,532        —         1,532       2,254        —         2,254       2,457        (125     2,332  

Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund

     196        (175     21       230        (171     59       357        (252     105  

Payden Global Low Duration Fund

     284        (179     105       265        (200     65       226        (219     7  

Payden Global Fixed Income Fund

     463        (123     340       791        (69     722       813        (50     763  

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     4,597        (277     4,320       4,566        155       4,721       3,800        (200     3,600  

Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

     1,013        —         1,013       587        (56     531       216        (84     132  

Payden Equity Income Fund

     6,820        (733     6,087       8,438        (779     7,659       7,796        (931     6,865  

Payden Floating Rate Fund

     386        (205     181       617        (299     318       1,039        (468     571  

Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund

     330        (214     116       416        (218     198       406        (233     173  

Payden Strategic Income Fund

     797        (334     463       949        (386     563       986        (445     541  

Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund

     3,621        (1,704     1,917       4,680        (2,176     2,504       4,715        (2,182     2,533  

 

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The Payden Funds are responsible for their own operating expenses. Payden has contractually agreed that, for so long as it acts as investment adviser to certain Payden Funds, the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest and taxes) of each of those Funds will not exceed the percentage indicated of the particular Fund’s average daily net assets on an annualized basis. In addition, Payden has contractually agreed to temporarily limit the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver or Expense Reimbursement (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest and taxes) for certain Payden Funds to the percentage indicated of the Fund’s average daily net assets on an annualized basis. This Agreement has a one-year term ending February 28, 2024. The temporary expense limitation may be renewed and may be amended by approval of a majority of the P&R Trust’s Board of Trustees. Each Payden Fund remains liable to Payden for expenses subsidized in any fiscal year up to a maximum of three years from the end of the period in which the expenses were subsidized. However, for any Payden Fund in any given year, such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Payden Fund’s payment of current ordinary operating expenses, and the level of reimbursement cannot cause the Payden Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the contractual expense limits discussed above.

In the event the operating expenses of a Payden Fund, including all investment advisory and administration fees, but excluding brokerage commissions and fees, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses such as litigation, for any fiscal year exceed the Payden Fund’s applicable expense limitation, Payden shall reduce its advisory fee to the extent of its share of such excess expenses. The amount of any such reduction to be borne by Payden shall be deducted from the monthly advisory fee otherwise payable with respect to the Payden Fund during such fiscal year; and if such amounts should exceed the monthly fee, Payden shall pay to the Payden Fund its share of such excess expenses no later than the last day of the first month of the next succeeding fiscal year.

The Payden Agreement provides that Payden will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Payden Funds in connection with the performance of the Payden Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of Payden’s duties or from reckless disregard by Payden of its duties and obligations thereunder. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Payden Agreement will continue in effect with respect to each Payden Fund for two years after the Fund’s inclusion in the P&R Trust’s Master Trust Agreement (on or around its commencement of operations) and then continue for each such Payden Fund for periods not exceeding one year so long as such continuation is approved annually by the Board (or by a majority of the outstanding voting shares of each such Payden Fund as defined in the 1940 Act) and by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Payden Agreement by vote cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Payden Agreement terminates upon assignment and may be terminated with respect to a Payden Fund without penalty on 60 days’ written notice at the option of either party thereto or by the vote of the shareholders of the Payden Fund.

 

62


Adviser — Payden Managed Income Fund

Payden/Kravitz Investment Advisers LLC (“Payden/Kravitz”), the prior investment adviser to the Payden Managed Income Fund (the “Managed Income Fund”), was formed in 2008 as a joint venture between Payden and Cinderblock Consulting, Inc., previously known at different times as kPlans Investment Services, Inc., Kravitz Investment Services, Inc. and Kravitz Davis Sansone Inc., respectively (collectively, “Kravitz”). Following a decision by Payden and Kravitz to dissolve and conclude the operations of Payden/Kravitz and transition its business to Payden, at a meeting held on December 20, 2022, the P&R Trust’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved (i) the termination of the investment management agreement with Payden/Kravitz (the “Former Agreement”) effective December 30, 2022, (ii) a new investment management agreement (the “New Agreement”) between the P&R Trust, on behalf of the Managed Income Fund, and Payden, an affiliate of Payden/Kravitz, and (iii) an interim investment management agreement between the P&R Trust, on behalf of the Managed Income Fund, and Payden (the “Interim Agreement”, and collectively with the New Agreement, the “Payden Agreement”). Payden currently serves as the investment adviser to the Managed Income Fund pursuant to the Interim Agreement, which took effect on December 30, 2022, after the termination of the Former Agreement. Payden will serve as investment adviser pursuant to the Interim Agreement until the earlier of 150 days from December 30, 2022 or until shareholders of the Managed Income Fund approve the New Agreement. For Payden to continue to provide investment management services to the Managed Income Fund after the expiration of the term of the Interim Agreement, shareholders of the Managed Income Fund are required to approve the New Agreement. Payden will receive the same compensation as Payden/Kravitz, thus, the investment management fee will remain the same.

A discussion regarding the basis for the approval by the Board of the Former Agreement for the Managed Income Fund is available in the Managed Income Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2022, under the heading “Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement.” The Annual Report is available, free of charge, on the Managed Income Fund’s Internet site at payden.com.

The Payden Agreement provides that Payden will pay for all expenses incurred in connection with managing the ordinary course of the Managed Income Fund’s business, except the following expenses, which are paid by the Managed Income Fund: (i) the fees and expenses incurred by the Managed Income Fund in connection with the management of the investment and reinvestment of the Managed Income Fund’s assets; (ii) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons, as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, of Payden; (iii) the fees and expenses of the Managed Income Fund’s custodian, transfer agent, fund accounting agent and administrator; (iv) the Managed Income Fund’s portion of charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the P&R Trust and legal counsel to the Independent Trustees; (v) brokers’ commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Managed Income Fund in connection with its securities and futures transactions; (vi) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Managed Income Fund to Federal, state or other governmental agencies; (vii) the Managed Income Fund’s portion of the fees of any trade associations of which the P&R Trust may be a member; (viii) the Managed Income Fund’s portion of the cost of fidelity bonds and trustees and officers errors and omission insurance; (ix) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Managed Income Fund and of its shares with the SEC and qualifying the shares of the Managed Income Fund under state securities laws, including the Managed Income Fund’s portion of the preparation and printing of the P&R Trust’s registration statements, prospectuses and statements of additional information for filing under the Federal and state securities laws for such purposes; (x) communications expenses with respect to investor services and all expenses of shareholders’ and trustees’ meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders; (xi) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the P&R Trust’s business; (xii) any expenses assumed by the P&R Trust on behalf of the Adviser Class or the Retirement Class of the Managed Income Fund pursuant to the P&R Trust’s Rule 12b-l Distribution Plan; and (xiii) any expenses payable by the Managed Income Fund pursuant to the P&R Trust’s Shareholder Servicing Plan. The Payden Agreement provides that Payden receives a monthly fee from the Managed Income Fund at the annual rate of 1.10% of average daily net assets.

 

63


Though Payden/Kravitz is no longer the investment advisor as of December 30, 2022, the gross fees earned by Payden/Kravitz, Managed Income Fund expenses subsidized by Payden/Kravitz and the net advisory fee or net expense subsidy for the three fiscal years ended October 31 for the Managed Income Fund are shown below.

 

Fiscal Year Ended October 31  
2020      2021      2022  
Fee      Subsidy     Net      Fee      Subsidy     Net      Fee      Subsidy     Net  
$ 1,886      $ (469   $ 1,417      $ 1,538        (403   $ 1,135      $ 1,211      $ (407   $ 804  

The Managed Income Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses under the Payden Agreement as of December 30, 2022. Payden has agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Managed Income Fund under the Payden Agreement, and to pay Managed Income Fund operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit the Managed Income Fund’s aggregate Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest and tax expenses) to the limit set forth in the Fees and Expenses Table (“expense limitation”) of the applicable Prospectus. Any such reductions made by Payden in its fees or payment of expenses which are the Managed Income Fund’s obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Managed Income Fund to Payden if so requested by Payden, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Managed Income Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) does not exceed the expense limitation on Managed Income Fund expenses. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Managed Income Fund’s payment of current ordinary operating expenses.

In the event the operating expenses of the Managed Income Fund, including all investment advisory and administration fees, but excluding brokerage commissions and fees, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses such as litigation, for any fiscal year exceed the Managed Income Fund’s applicable expense limitation, Payden shall reduce its advisory fee to the extent of its share of such excess expenses. The amount of any such reduction to be borne by Payden shall be deducted from the monthly advisory fee otherwise payable with respect to the Managed Income Fund during such fiscal year; and if such amounts should exceed the monthly fee, Payden shall pay to the Managed Income Fund its share of such excess expenses no later than the last day of the first month of the next succeeding fiscal year.

The Payden Agreement provides that Payden will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Managed Income Fund in connection with the performance of the Payden Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of Payden’s duties or from reckless disregard by Payden of its duties and obligations thereunder. Assuming the New Agreement is approved by the shareholders of the Managed Income Fund, the New Agreement will continue in effect with respect to the Managed Income Fund for two years after the Managed Income Fund’s inclusion in the P&R Trust’s Master Trust Agreement (on or around the Managed Income Fund’s commencement of operations) and then continue for the Managed Income Fund for periods not exceeding one year so long as such continuation is approved annually by the Board (or by a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Managed Income Fund as defined in the 1940 Act) and by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the New Agreement by vote cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, unless earlier terminated. The New Agreement terminates upon assignment and may be terminated with respect to the Managed Income Fund without penalty on 60 days’ written notice at the option of either party thereto or by the vote of the shareholders of the Managed Income Fund.

 

64


SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

The P&R Trust has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan with respect to the Funds that allows each Fund (other than the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund) to pay to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries a fee for shareholder services provided to Fund shareholders who invest in the Fund through the intermediary. With respect to each Fund, the fee is payable at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets invested through the intermediary. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets, over time these fees will also increase the cost of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund.

The shareholder services that may be provided under the Shareholder Servicing Plan are non-distribution shareholder services that the intermediary provides with respect to shares of the Fund owned from time to time by customers of the intermediary. Such services include (i) transfer agent and sub-transfer agent type of services for beneficial owners of Fund shares, (ii) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders for Fund shareholders, (iii) providing beneficial owners of Fund shares who are not record owners with statements showing their positions in the Fund, (iv) processing dividend payments for Fund shares, (v) providing sub-accounting services for Fund shares held beneficially, (vi) forwarding shareholder communications, such as proxies, shareholder reports, dividend and tax notices, and updated prospectuses to beneficial owners of shares who are not record owners, (vii) receiving, tabulating and transmitting proxies executed by beneficial owners of Fund shares who are not record owners, (viii) responding generally to inquiries these shareholders have about the Fund or Funds, and (ix) providing such other information and assistance to these shareholders as they may reasonably request.

 

 

65


In addition to fees paid under the Shareholder Servicing Plan for the Funds, a Fund’s investment adviser may pay service, administrative or other similar fees to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. Those fees are generally for sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus or other group accounts. Those payments are sometimes necessary to ensure that the Fund is listed on supermarket and other platforms maintained by certain dealers, agents and financial institutions. The Fund’s investment adviser believes that such payments and listings will make shares of the Fund available to a wider distribution network. The rate of those fees paid by the Fund’s investment adviser may vary and ranges from 0.10% to 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to a particular intermediary.

DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENT

Pursuant to a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with the P&R Trust, Payden & Rygel Distributors (the “Distributor”), 333 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071, acts as distributor for each of the Funds. The Distributor has agreed to use its best efforts to effect sales of shares of the Funds, but is not obligated to sell any specified number of shares. The offering of Fund shares is continuous. The Distribution Agreement contains provisions with respect to renewal and termination similar to those in the respective Investment

 

66


Management Agreements described above. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the P&R Trust has agreed to indemnify the Distributor to the extent permitted by applicable law against certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

Except in connection with the Rule 12b-1 distribution plan as described below, no compensation is payable by the Funds to the Distributor for its distribution services. The Distributor pays for the personnel involved in accepting orders for purchase and redemption of Fund shares, expenses incurred in connection with the printing of Prospectuses and SAIs (other than those sent to existing shareholders), sales literature, advertising and other communications used in the public offering of shares of a Fund, and other expenses associated with performing services as distributor of the Funds’ shares. Each Fund pays the expenses of issuance, registration and transfer of its shares, including filing fees and legal fees.

RULE 12b-1 DISTRIBUTION PLAN

Pursuant to SEC Rule 12b-1, the Board has adopted the Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (“Distribution Plan”), under which each class of shares of a Fund with a 12b-1 fee is allowed to pay asset-based sales charges or distribution and service fees for the distribution, sale or servicing of its shares. These activities include advertising, compensation to the Distributor and other intermediaries for sales and marketing activities and materials and related shareholder servicing. The Distribution Plan applies to the following Fund classes: (1) the Adviser Class shares of each of the Payden Core Bond, Payden Emerging Markets Bond and Payden Equity Income Funds (each a “Payden Fund Adviser Class”), (2) the Adviser Class shares of the Payden Managed Income Fund (the “Payden Managed Income Fund Adviser Class”), and (3) the Retirement Class shares of the Payden Managed Income Fund (the “Payden Managed Income Fund Retirement Class”). For each Payden Fund Adviser Class and the Payden Managed Income Fund Adviser Class, the fee is payable at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the applicable Adviser Class, regardless of the actual expenses incurred, which the Distributor may use to compensate other broker-dealers. Similarly, for the Payden Managed Income Fund Retirement Class, the fee is payable at an annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Payden Managed Income Fund Retirement Class, regardless of the actual expenses incurred, which the Distributor may use to compensate other broker-dealers. As indicated in the table in the “Fees and Expenses” section in the applicable Prospectus for each Payden Fund Adviser Class, the Payden Managed Income Fund Adviser Class and the Payden Managed Income Fund Retirement Class, this 12b-1 distribution fee is included in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses. Because these fees are paid out of the assets of each Payden Fund Adviser Class, the Payden Managed Income Fund Adviser Class, and the Payden Managed Income Fund Retirement Class on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment in shares of each Payden Fund Adviser Class, the Payden Managed Income Fund Adviser Class, and the Payden Managed Income Fund Retirement Class.

The Distribution Plan continues in effect from year to year, provided that each such continuance is approved at least annually by a vote of the Board, including a majority vote of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the P&R Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Plan or in any agreement relating to the Distribution Plan (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance. The Distribution Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time, without penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or the class affected by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund or the class affected. The Distribution Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amounts to be paid by the shareholders of a Rule 12b-1 class of any Fund with a Rule 12b-1 class of share for the services described therein without approval by the shareholders of such class, and all material amendments are required to be approved by the Board in the manner described above. The Distribution Plan will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

The P&R Trust, when approving the establishment of the Distribution Plan, determined that there are various anticipated benefits to each of the various Funds with a Rule 12b-1 class of shares from such establishment, including the likelihood that the Distribution Plan will stimulate sales of shares of each Rule 12b-1 class and assist in increasing the asset base of each such Fund in the face of competition from a variety of financial products and the potential advantage to the shareholders of the various Rule 12b-1 classes of prompt and significant growth of the asset base of the those Funds, including greater liquidity, more investment flexibility and achievement of greater economies of scale.

 

67


Except to the extent that affiliates of Payden receive distribution fees from the Distributor, or that the Funds’ investment advisers benefit through increased fees from an increase in the net assets of the Funds with a Rule 12b-1 class of shares, which may result in part from the expenditures, no interested person of the P&R Trust nor any Trustee who is not an interested person of the P&R Trust has or had a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or any related agreements.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Funds with a Rule 12b-1 class of shares paid the following 12b-1 fees to the Distributor.

 

FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2022

   FEES
(000S)
 

ADVISER CLASS

  

Payden Core Bond Fund

   $ 94  

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   $ 90  

Payden Equity Income Fund

   $ 50  

Payden Managed Income Fund

   $ 36  

RETIREMENT CLASS

  

Payden Managed Income Fund

   $ 111  

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, Distribution Plan expenses were as follows:

 

     EXPENSES
(000S)
 

Industry Conferences

   $ 62  

Printing

   $ 87  

Advertising

   $ 24  

Third Party Broker Payments

   $ 629  

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTANT, CUSTODIAN AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Administrator

Treasury Plus, Incorporated (“Treasury Plus”), located at 333 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Payden which serves as administrator to each Fund. Under the Administration Agreement with the P&R Trust, Treasury Plus has agreed to prepare periodic reports to regulatory authorities, maintain financial accounts and records of each of the Funds, transmit communications by each Fund to shareholders of record, make periodic reports to the Board regarding Fund operations, and oversee the work of the fund accountant and transfer agent.

For providing administrative services to the P&R Trust, Treasury Plus receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the daily net assets of the Funds.

Under the Administration Agreement with the P&R Trust, Treasury Plus has agreed that, if in any fiscal year the expenses borne by a Fund exceed the applicable expense limitations imposed by the securities regulations of any state in which shares of the Fund are registered or qualified for sale to the public, it will reimburse the Fund for a portion of such excess expenses, which portion is determined by multiplying the excess expenses by the ratio of (i) the fees respecting the Fund otherwise payable to Treasury Plus pursuant to its agreement with the P&R Trust, to (ii) the aggregate fees respecting the Fund otherwise payable to Treasury Plus pursuant to its agreement and to Payden pursuant to its Investment Management Agreement with the P&R Trust.

 

68


During the three most recent fiscal years ended October 31, shown below, Treasury Plus earned the amounts listed below.

 

     FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31  
     2020
(000S)
     2021
(000S)
     2022
(000S)
 

Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund

     466        529        715  

Payden Limited Maturity Fund

     1,435        2,864        3,111  

Payden Low Duration Fund

     2,203        2,407        2,105  

Payden U.S. Government Fund

     64        57        46  

Payden GNMA Fund

     189        170        133  

Payden Core Bond Fund

     1,535        1,956        1,678  

Payden Corporate Bond Fund

     711        712        606  

Payden High Income Fund

     657        966        1,053  

Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund

     92        108        167  

Payden Global Low Duration Fund

     142        133        113  

Payden Global Fixed Income Fund

     232        395        407  

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     1,532        1,522        1,267  

Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

     253        147        54  

Payden Equity Income Fund

     2,046        2,531        2,339  

Payden Floating Rate Fund

     105        168        283  

Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund

     62        78        76  

Payden Strategic Income Fund

     217        259        269  

Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund

     1,086        1,404        1,414  

Payden Managed Income Fund

     257        210        165  

Transfer Agent

Pursuant to its agreement with the P&R Trust, UMB Fund Services, Inc. (“UMB”), located at 235 W. Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, provides transfer agency services to each of the Funds. These services include the issuance and redemption of Fund shares, maintenance of shareholder accounts and preparations of annual investor tax statements. UMB receives from the P&R Trust fees for these transfer agency services, and certain out-of-pocket expenses are also reimbursed at actual cost.

Fund Accountant

Pursuant to its agreement with the P&R Trust, The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”), located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, provides fund accounting services to each of the Funds. These services include the calculation of daily expense accruals and net asset value per share for the Funds. BNY Mellon receives from the P&R Trust fees for these fund accounting services, and certain out-of-pocket expenses are also reimbursed at actual cost.

The liability provisions of the agreement between Treasury Plus, UMB and BNY Mellon with the P&R Trust are similar to those of the Payden Agreement discussed above. In addition, the P&R Trust has agreed to indemnify Treasury Plus, UMB and BNY Mellon against certain liabilities. The agreement may be terminated by either party to such agreement on 90 days’ notice.

 

69


Custodian

Pursuant to its agreement with the P&R Trust, BNY Mellon (the “Custodian”) serves as custodian for the assets of each of the Funds. The Custodian’s address is One Boston Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Under its Custodian Agreement with the P&R Trust, the Custodian has agreed among other things to maintain a separate account in the name of each Fund; hold and disburse portfolio securities and other assets on behalf of the Funds; collect and make disbursements of money on behalf of the Funds; and receive all income and other payments and distributions on account of each Fund’s portfolio securities.

Pursuant to rules adopted under the 1940 Act, the Funds may maintain foreign securities and cash in the custody of certain eligible foreign banks and securities depositories. The Board has delegated to the Custodian the selection of foreign custodians and to the applicable investment adviser the selection of securities depositories. Selection of such foreign custodial institutions and securities depositories is made following a consideration of a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the reliability and financial stability of the institution; the ability of the institution to perform capably custodial services for the Funds; the reputation of the institution in its national market; the political and economic stability of the country in which the institution is located; and risks of nationalization or expropriation of Fund assets. No assurance can be given that the appraisal by the Custodian and by the applicable investment adviser of the risks in connection with foreign custodial and securities depository arrangements will always be correct, or that expropriation, nationalization, freezes, or confiscation of assets that would impact assets of a Fund will not occur, and shareholders bear the risk of losses arising from these or other events.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), an independent registered public accounting firm, 555 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for each of the Funds. Deloitte audits and reports on the Funds’ annual financial statements, and performs other authorized professional services when engaged to do so with the approval of the Audit Committee of the P&R Trust.

Securities Lending Arrangement

Pursuant to an agreement with the P&R Trust, BNY Mellon provides the following services to the Funds in connection with the P&R Trust’s securities lending program. Of the 19 Payden Mutual Funds, all Funds may conduct securities lending, with the exception of the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund. BNY Mellon acts as the Funds’ Lending Agent. Each Fund may lend securities with a value of up to 33% of its total assets to broker/dealers, institutional investors or other persons. Each loan is secured by collateral which is maintained at no less than 102% of the value of the securities loaned by marking-to-market daily. Loans will only be made to counterparties deemed by Payden & Rygel, the Funds’ investment adviser, to be eligible. Payden & Rygel’s credit group reviews all counterparties no less than quarterly and immediately contacts Payden & Rygel’s Investment Policy Committee any time there is a concern with a counterparty me.

The following table summarizes the financial results for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 of the P&R Trust’s securities lending Program on behalf of the Funds:

 

  (I)

Gross income to the Funds of the P&R Trust: $437,494.23

 

  (II)

Fee revenue split in which the Funds of the P&R Trust receive 80% and BNY Mellon, the Funds’ lending agent, receives 20%.

 

  (III)

Amount paid to BNY Mellon: $87,491.59

 

  (IV)

Net income to the Funds of the P&R Trust: $350,002.64

 

70


PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

PAYDEN FUNDS

Adviser Portfolio Manager Conflicts of Interest

Payden adopted policies and procedures that address conflicts of interest that may arise between a portfolio manager’s management of a Payden Fund and his or her management of other Funds and accounts. Potential areas of conflict could involve allocation of investment opportunities and trades among Funds and accounts, use of information regarding the timing of Fund trades, personal investing activities, portfolio manager compensation and proxy voting of portfolio securities. Payden has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be effective or that Payden will anticipate all potential conflicts of interest.

Adviser Portfolio Manager Fund Holdings and Other Managed Accounts

As described below, portfolio managers may personally own shares of the Fund or Funds for which they act as portfolio manager. In addition, portfolio managers may manage a portion of other mutual funds, pooled investment vehicles or accounts advised by Payden.

The following table reflects information as of October 31, 2022.

 

Manager

  

Fund

 

Dollar Range of
Fund
Shares Owned

  No. of RICS   Value of
RICS
    No. of Other Pooled   Value of Other Pooled     No of Other Accts     Value of Other Accts     Accts with Perf Fees     Value of Perf Fee Accts  

Adam Congdon

   California Municipal Social Impact Fund           1     325,651,398     3     907,718,272       52       14,455,064,968      

Adam Congdon

   Global Low Duration Fund              1     325,651,398     3     907,718,272       52       14,455,064,968      

Adam Congdon

   Limited Maturity Fund           1     325,651,398     3     907,718,272       52       14,455,064,968      

Adam Congdon

   Low Duration Fund           1     325,651,398     3     907,718,272       52       14,455,064,968      

Al Giles

   Corporate Bond Fund           None     None     5     1,239,243,438       37       16,370,197,596       3       553,079,823  

Al Giles

   Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund           None     None     5     1,239,243,438       37       16,370,197,596       3       553,079,823  

Al Giles

   Equity Income Fund         1-10,000   None     None     5     1,239,243,438       37       16,370,197,596       3       553,079,823  

Al Giles

   Floating Rate Fund           None     None     5     1,239,243,438       37       16,370,197,596       3       553,079,823  

Al Giles

   High Income Fund           None     None     5     1,239,243,438       37       16,370,197,596       3       553,079,823  

Arthur Hovsepian

   Emerging Markets Bond Fund           None     None     6     723,726,232       25       6,662,696,919      

Arthur Hovsepian

   Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund           None     None     6     723,726,232       25       6,662,696,919      

Arthur Hovsepian

   Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund           None     None     6     723,726,232       25       6,662,696,919      

Brian Matthews

   Absolute Return Bond Fund           1     325,651,398     10     5,442,824,927       17       3,436,483,836      

Brian Matthews

   Core Bond Fund           1     325,651,398     10     5,442,824,927       17       3,436,483,836      

Brian Matthews

   Low Duration Fund           1     325,651,398     10     5,442,824,927       17       3,436,483,836      

Brian Matthews

   Managed Income Fund           1     325,651,398     10     5,442,824,927       17       3,436,483,836      

Eric Souders

   Absolute Return Bond Fund           None     None     9     5,305,762,343       17       3,421,803,812      

Eric Souders

   Managed Income Fund           None     None     9     5,305,762,343       17       3,421,803,812      

Gary Greenberg

   GNMA Fund           None     None     None     None       7       2,381,680,883      

Gary Greenberg

   U.S. Government Fund           None     None     None     None       7       2,381,680,883      

James Wong

   Equity Income Fund           None     None     1     62,313,918       5       390,818,000      

Jordan Lopez

   Floating Rate Fund           None     None     1     15,365,232       6       524,234,456      

Jordan Lopez

   High Income Fund           None     None     1     15,365,232       6       524,234,456      

Kerry Rapanot

   Global Low Duration Fund           None     None     7     4,697,421,628       90       39,826,769,264      

Kerry Rapanot

   Limited Maturity Fund           None     None     7     4,697,421,628       90       39,826,769,264      

Kerry Rapanot

   Low Duration Fund           None     None     7     4,697,421,628       90       39,826,769,264      

Kristin Ceva

   Absolute Return Bond Fund           None     None     6     723,726,471       18       4,568,355,884      

Kristin Ceva

   Emerging Markets Bond Fund         above 100,000   None     None     6     723,726,471       18       4,568,355,884      

Kristin Ceva

   Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund         above 100,000   None     None     6     723,726,471       18       4,568,355,884      

Kristin Ceva

   Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund           None     None     6     723,726,471       18       4,568,355,884      

Kristin Ceva

   Global Fixed Income Fund           None     None     6     723,726,471       18       4,568,355,884      

Kristin Ceva

   Strategic Income Fund           None     None     6     723,726,471       18       4,568,355,884      

Mary Beth Syal

   California Municipal Social Impact Fund           1     325,651,398     11     5,605,139,899       128       54,271,834,232      

Mary Beth Syal

   Core Bond Fund           1     325,651,398     11     5,605,139,899       128       54,271,834,232      

Mary Beth Syal

   Global Low Duration Fund           1     325,651,398     11     5,605,139,899       128       54,271,834,232      

Mary Beth Syal

   GNMA Fund           1     325,651,398     11     5,605,139,899       128       54,271,834,232      

Mary Beth Syal

   Limited Maturity Fund           1     325,651,398     11     5,605,139,899       128       54,271,834,232      

Mary Beth Syal

   Low Duration Fund           1     325,651,398     11     5,605,139,899       128       54,271,834,232      

Mary Beth Syal

   U.S. Government Fund           1     325,651,398     11     5,605,139,899       128       54,271,834,232      

 

71


Manager

  

Fund

 

Dollar Range of
Fund
Shares Owned

  No. of RICS   Value of
RICS
    No. of Other Pooled   Value of Other Pooled     No of Other Accts     Value of Other Accts     Accts with Perf Fees     Value of Perf Fee Accts  

Michael Salvay

   Absolute Return Bond Fund         10,001-50,000   1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Michael Salvay

   California Municipal Social Impact Fund         1-10,000   1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Michael Salvay

   Core Bond Fund         10,001-50,000   1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Michael Salvay

   Corporate Bond Fund           1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Michael Salvay

   Global Fixed Income Fund           1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Michael Salvay

   GNMA Fund           1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Michael Salvay

   Strategic Income Fund         10,001-50,000   1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Michael Salvay

   U.S. Government Fund           1     923,697,928     7     1,258,669,148       44       15,972,481,044       1       449,171,913  

Micheal Huynh

   Equity Income Fund           None     None     1     62,313,918       5       390,818,000      

Natalie Trevithick

   Corporate Bond Fund           None     None     4     1,223,878,205       32       15,845,963,140       3       553,079,823  

Natalie Trevithick

   Equity Income Fund           None     None     4     1,223,878,205       32       15,845,963,140       3       553,079,823  

Natalie Trevithick

   Floating Rate Fund           None     None     4     1,223,878,205       32       15,845,963,140       3       553,079,823  

Natalie Trevithick

   High Income Fund         1-10,000   None     None     4     1,223,878,205       32       15,845,963,140       3       553,079,823  

Natalie Trevithick

   Strategic Income Fund           None     None     4     1,223,878,205       32       15,845,963,140       3       553,079,823  

Nick Burns

   Floating Rate Fund           None     None     1     15,365,232       6       524,234,456      

Nick Burns

   High Income Fund           None     None     1     15,365,232       6       524,234,456      

Nick Manley

   California Municipal Social Impact Fund         1-10,000   None     None     None     None       29       2,209,772,835      

Nigel Jenkins

   Absolute Return Bond Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Core Bond Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Emerging Markets Bond Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Global Fixed Income Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Global Low Duration Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Limited Maturity Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Low Duration Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Strategic Income Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Nigel Jenkins

   Managed Income Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Paul St. Pasteur

   Global Fixed Income Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Paul St. Pasteur

   Global Low Duration Fund           None     None     10     1,732,553,442       12       4,894,966,180       1       219,167,470  

Timothy Crawmer

   Core Bond Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Timothy Crawmer

   Corporate Bond Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Timothy Crawmer

   Floating Rate Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Timothy Crawmer

   Global Fixed Income Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Timothy Crawmer

   GNMA Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Timothy Crawmer

   High Income Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Timothy Crawmer

   Strategic Income Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Timothy Crawmer

   U.S. Government Fund           1     923,697,928     16     2,991,222,590       67       20,867,447,224       2       668,339,383  

Zubin Kapadia

   Emerging Markets Bond Fund           None     None     None     None       4       1,954,976,261      

Zubin Kapadia

   Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund           None     None     None     None       4       1,954,976,261      

Zubin Kapadia

   Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund           None     None     None     None       4       1,954,976,261      

(1)

Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 — $10,000; $10,001 — $50,000; $50,001 — $100,000; $100,001 — $500,000; $500,001 — $1,000,000; over $1,000,000. The amounts listed include shares owned through Payden’s 401(k) plan.

(2)

Indicates fund(s) where the portfolio manager also has significant responsibilities for the day-to-day management of the fund(s).

(3)

Represents both domestic pooled investment vehicles and offshore funds advised by Payden. The offshore funds are only sold to offshore investors.

(4)

Reflects other separately managed accounts in which Payden is the investment adviser.

Adviser Portfolio Manager Compensation

Portfolio managers and other investment personnel are paid competitive salaries by Payden. In addition, they may receive bonuses based on the overall profit of the firm and their contribution to the investment team(s) on which they participate. The relative mix of compensation represented by salary and bonus will vary depending on the individual’s contribution to the investment team(s), contributions to the firm overall and other factors.

 

72


PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS — BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

The Funds pay commissions to brokers in connection with the purchase and sale of equity securities, options and futures contracts. There is generally no stated commission in the case of fixed-income securities, which are traded in the over-the-counter markets, but the price paid by a Fund usually includes an undisclosed dealer commission or mark-up. In underwritten offerings, the price paid by a Fund includes a disclosed, fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer. Agency transactions involve the payment by a Fund of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different brokers. Also, a particular broker may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction. Transactions in foreign securities involve commissions which are generally higher than those in the United States.

A Fund’s investment adviser places all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, options and futures contracts for the Funds it manages and buys and sells such securities, options and futures for the Funds through a substantial number of brokers and dealers. In so doing, the Fund’s investment adviser seeks the best execution available. In seeking the most favorable execution, the investment adviser considers all factors it deems relevant, including, by way of illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of the market for the security, the amount of the commission, the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the broker-dealer in other transactions. In light of such factors, a Fund’s investment adviser may select a broker that charges a higher brokerage commission than another broker might have charged for the same transaction. The Fund’s investment adviser periodically evaluates the performance of brokers used for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities to ensure that the Fund is obtaining best execution of these transactions. None of the Funds’ investment advisers have any “soft dollar” arrangements with any broker-dealer.

Some securities considered for investment by a Fund’s portfolio may also be appropriate for other clients served by the Fund’s investment adviser. If a purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of a Fund is considered at or about the same time as a similar transaction for one or more other clients served by the Fund’s investment adviser, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the Fund and other clients in a manner deemed fair and reasonable by the investment adviser. Although there is no specified formula for allocating such transactions, the various allocation methods used by the Fund’s investment adviser, and the results of such allocations, are subject to periodic review by the Fund’s Board.

The investment adviser manages the Fund without regard generally to restrictions on portfolio turnover, except those imposed on its ability to engage in short-term trading by provisions of the Federal tax laws (see “Taxation”). Trading in fixed-income securities does not generally involve the payment of brokerage commissions, but does involve indirect transaction costs. The higher the rate of portfolio turnover, the higher these transaction costs borne by the Fund generally will be. The turnover rate of a Fund is calculated by dividing (a) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a particular fiscal year by (b) the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. In calculating the rate of portfolio turnover, all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition were one year or less, are excluded. Interest rate and currency swap, cap and floor transactions do not affect the calculation of portfolio turnover.

The only Funds which paid brokerage commissions during the three most recent fiscal years ended October 31 shown below, were:

 

     FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31  
     2020      2021      2022  

Payden Equity Income Fund

   $ 861,306      $ 13,593      $ 361,403  

Payden Managed Income Fund

     10,912        670        925  

Payden High Income Fund

     9,251        35,508        55,196  

Payden Strategic Income Fund

     1,018        1,110        640  

Payden Global Low Duration Fund

     176        —          —    

Payden Floating Rate Fund

     231        —          —    

Payden Global Fixed Income Fund

     330        —          —    

Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund

     —          —          4,896  

 

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The Board periodically reviews the performance of Payden and Payden/Kravitz in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of the Funds of which each serves as investment adviser.

Turnover

With respect to turnover, the following Funds experienced a significant variation in turnover from the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 (first number shown), versus the previous fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 (second number shown), as indicated below. In each case, turnover has been significantly influenced by global events. In particular, the Adviser has been more active in its portfolio trading in order to navigate through market dislocation to manage risk.

Payden Low Duration Fund: 98% versus 138%

Payden Global Low Duration Fund: 128% versus 169%

Payden Strategic Income Fund 40% versus 90%

PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

Certain managed account clients of the investment adviser for a Fund may purchase shares of that Fund. To avoid the imposition of duplicative fees, the Fund’s investment adviser may be required to make adjustments in the management fees charged separately by the investment adviser to these managed account clients to offset the generally higher level of management fees and expenses resulting from a client’s investment in the Fund.

Each Fund offers its shares to the public on a continuous basis. The public offering price for each class of shares of a Fund is equal to the net asset value per share at the time of purchase.

Each Fund may, at the sole discretion of the Fund’s investment adviser, accept securities in exchange for shares of the Fund. Securities which may be accepted in exchange for shares of the Fund must: (1) meet the investment objectives and policies of the Fund; (2) be acquired for investment and not for resale; (3) be liquid securities which are not restricted as to transfer either by law or liquidity of market, as determined by reference to the liquidity and pricing policies established by the Board; and (4) have a value which is readily ascertainable as evidenced by, for example, a listing on a recognized stock exchange, or market quotations by third party broker-dealers.

Each Fund reserves the right to suspend or postpone redemptions during any period when: (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, as determined by the SEC, or that Exchange is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (b) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension; or (c) an emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists, making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable.

Each Fund will redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Each Fund reserves the right to pay any redemption price exceeding this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities held by the Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that shares would ever be redeemed in kind. If shares are redeemed in kind, however, the redeeming shareholder would incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution.

Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining smaller accounts, each Fund reserves the right to redeem shares in any account for their then-current value (which will be promptly be paid to the investor) if at any time, due to shareholder redemptions, the shares in the Fund account do not have a value of at least $5,000. An investor will be notified that the value of his or her account is less than the minimum and allowed at least 30 days to bring the value of the account up to at least $5,000 before the redemption is processed. The P&R Trust’s Master Trust Agreement also authorizes each Fund to redeem shares under certain other circumstances as may be specified by the Board.

 

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TAXATION

Each Fund intends to qualify annually and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. However, should a Fund fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M, the Fund would be subject to federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains, and distributions to shareholders would be taxed as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits. To qualify as a regulated investment company, a Fund must, among other things, (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships, or other income (including gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies (“Qualifying Income Test”); and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of a Fund’s assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of a Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of a Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses (the “Diversification Test”). The U.S. Treasury is authorized to promulgate regulations under which gains from foreign currencies (and options, futures, and forward contracts on foreign currency) would constitute qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Test only if such gains are directly relating to investing in stocks or securities. To date, such regulations have not been issued.

In addition, no definitive guidance currently exists with respect to the classification of interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps as securities or foreign currencies for purposes of certain of the tests described above. Accordingly, to avoid the possibility of disqualification as a regulated investment company, a Fund will limit its positions in swaps to transactions for the purpose of hedging against either interest rate or currency fluctuation risks, and will treat swaps as excluded assets for purposes of determining compliance with the Diversification Test.

If a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (any net long-term capital gains in excess of the sum of net short-term capital losses and capital loss carryovers) reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends, if any, that it distributes to shareholders, if the Fund distributes to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains in excess of any long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net exempt interest income each taxable year. Each Fund (other than the Payden Equity Income Fund) intends to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income monthly and any net capital gains annually. The Payden Equity Income Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income semi-annually and any net capital gains annually. Investment company taxable income or net capital gains not distributed by a Fund on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To avoid the tax, a Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary income (with adjustments) for the calendar year and foreign currency gains or losses for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (and adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the twelve month period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) all ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during such years. To avoid application of the excise tax, the Funds intend to make their distributions in accordance with the distribution requirements. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November, or December of that year to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid by a Fund during January of the following year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders (other than those not subject to Federal income tax) in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received. There can be no assurance that the Funds will make sufficient distributions in all periods to avoid all taxes at the Fund level.

DISTRIBUTIONS

The Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund intends to qualify to pay “exempt-interest” dividends to its shareholders, who may exclude those dividends from their gross income for Federal income tax purposes. In order to be able to pay those dividends, a Fund must satisfy the additional requirement that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets must consist of obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income under section 103(a) of the Code.

 

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With the exception of exempt-interest dividends from the Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund, dividends paid out of a Fund’s investment company taxable income will generally be taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income. Distributions received by tax-exempt shareholders will not be subject to Federal income tax to the extent permitted under the applicable tax exemption.

For individual shareholders, a portion of the distributions paid by a Fund may be qualified dividends eligible for taxation at long-term capital gain rates to the extent derived from investments of a Fund in taxable corporations and to the extent the Fund reports the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend. Due to the nature of their investments, many of the Funds will not pay qualified dividends to shareholders. In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the distributions may qualify for the inter-corporate dividends-received deduction to the extent a Fund reports the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend. Distributions of net capital gains, and reported as such, if any, are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has held a Fund’s shares and are not eligible for the dividends received deduction. The tax treatment of dividends and distributions will be the same whether a shareholder reinvests them in additional shares or elects to receive them in cash. A 3.8% federal tax applies to net investment income, which generally includes dividend income and net capital gains, for taxpayers in higher income tax brackets. A shareholder may realize taxable income from a Fund even in periods during which share values have declined. Tax considerations are not the primary objective in making a Fund’s investment decisions.

Under Section 163(j) of the Code, a taxpayer’s business interest expense is generally deductible to the extent of the taxpayer’s business interest income plus certain other amounts. If the Fund earns business interest income, it may report a portion of its dividends as “Section 163(j) interest dividends,” which its shareholders may be able to treat as business interest income for purposes of Section 163(j) of the Code. The Fund’s “Section 163(j) interest dividend” for a tax year will be limited to the excess of its business interest income over the sum of its business interest expense and other deductions properly allocable to its business interest income. In general, the Fund’s shareholders may treat a distribution reported as a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income only to the extent the distribution exceeds the sum of the portions of the distribution reported as other types of tax-favored income. To be eligible to treat a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income, a shareholder may need to meet certain holding period requirements in respect of the Fund shares and must not have hedged its position in the Fund shares in certain ways.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

Many of the options, futures contracts and forward contracts used by the Funds are “section 1256 contracts.” Any gains or losses on section 1256 contracts are generally considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”). Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked-to-market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as 60/40 gain or loss.

Generally, the hedging transactions and certain other transactions in options, futures and forward contracts undertaken by a Fund, may result in “straddles” for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by a Fund. In addition, losses realized by a Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the investment company taxable income or net capital gain for the taxable year in which such losses are realized. Because limited regulations implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences of transactions in options, futures and forward contracts to a Fund are not entirely clear. The transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a Fund which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.

Each Fund may make one or more of the elections available under the Code which are applicable to straddles. If a Fund makes any of the elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that vary according to the election(s) made. The rules applicable under certain of the elections operate to accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions.

Because application of the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.

The qualifying income and diversification requirements applicable to the Fund’s assets may limit the extent to which a Fund will be able to engage in transactions in options, futures contracts or forward contracts.

 

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SALES OF SHARES

Upon disposition of shares of a Fund (whether by redemption, sale or exchange), a shareholder will realize a gain or loss. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term or short-term generally depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. Any loss realized on a disposition will be disallowed by “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced by other Fund shares or other substantially identical stock or securities within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be the basis of the shares sold, increased or decreased by the difference, if any, between the price of the acquired share and the shares sold. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of capital gain dividends received by the shareholder with respect to such shares.

BACKUP WITHHOLDING

A Fund may be required to withhold for U.S. Federal income taxes at a current rate of 24% of all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. Federal tax liability if the required documentation is timely provided.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time a Fund amortizes or accrues premiums or discounts, accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain futures contracts, forward contracts and options, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the Code as “Section 988” gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. In addition, the Funds’ investment advisers intend to manage the Funds with the intention of minimizing foreign taxation in cases where it is deemed prudent to do so. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass-through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain exceptions. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled to use such amount (subject to limitations) as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. Federal income tax liability. Each shareholder will be notified in writing not later than 60 days after the close of a Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass-through” for that year. Absent the Fund making the election to “pass through” the foreign source income and foreign taxes, none of the distributions may be treated as foreign source income for purposes of the foreign tax credit calculation.

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of a Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to such election, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. Shareholders may be

FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS AND FOREIGN ACCOUNT TAX COMPLIANCE ACT (“FATCA”)

The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Foreign shareholders, including shareholders who are nonresident alien individuals, may be subject to U.S. withholding tax on certain distributions at a rate of 30% or such lower rates as may be prescribed by any applicable treaty.

Under FATCA, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreements, a 30% withholding tax on a Fund’s distributions generally applies if paid to a foreign entity unless: (i) if the foreign entity is a “foreign financial institution,” it undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding and certification obligations, (ii) if the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution,” it identifies certain of its U.S. investors or (iii) the foreign entity is otherwise excepted under FATCA. If withholding is required under FATCA on a payment related to your shares, investors that otherwise would not be subject to withholding (or would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) generally will be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefits of such exemption or reduction. A Fund will not pay any additional amounts in respect to amounts withheld under FATCA. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect of FATCA based on your individual circumstances. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit is modified for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax, and foreign taxes may not be deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.

 

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CERTAIN DEBT SECURITIES

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities may be treated as a dividend for Federal income tax purposes.

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as having an acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income ratably over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

A Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to shareholders representing discount on debt securities that is currently includable in income, even though cash representing such income may not have been received by the Fund. Cash to pay such dividends may be obtained from sales proceeds of securities held by the Fund.

OTHER TAXES

Distributions also may be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes, depending on each shareholder’s particular situation. Under the laws of various states, distributions of investment company taxable income generally are taxable to shareholders even though all or a substantial portion of such distributions may be derived from interest on certain Federal obligations which, if the interest were received directly by a resident of such state, would be exempt from such state’s income tax (“qualifying Federal obligations”). However, some states may exempt all or a portion of such distributions from income tax to the extent the shareholder is able to establish that the distribution is derived from qualifying Federal obligations. Moreover, for state income tax purposes, interest on some Federal obligations generally is not exempt from taxation, whether received directly by a shareholder or through distributions of investment company taxable income (for example, interest on Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Government National Mortgage Association Certificates). Each Fund will provide information annually to shareholders indicating the amount and percentage of the Fund’s dividend distribution which is attributable to interest on Federal obligations, and will indicate to the extent possible from what types of Federal obligations such dividends are derived.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund. The information above is only a summary of some of the tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders. Paul Hastings LLP, counsel to the P&R Trust, has expressed no opinion in respect thereof.

 

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FUND PERFORMANCE

Each Fund may quote its performance in various ways. All performance information supplied by a Fund in advertising is historical and is not intended to indicate future returns. A Fund’s share price, yield and total returns fluctuate in response to market conditions and other factors, and the value of Fund shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.

YIELD CALCULATIONS

Yields for each class of shares of a Fund (other than the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund) used in advertising are computed by dividing the interest income of the class for a given 30-day or one month period, net of expenses allocable to the class, by the average number of shares of the class entitled to receive dividends during the period, dividing this figure by the class’ net asset value per share at the end of the period and annualizing the result (assuming compounding of income) in order to arrive at an annual percentage rate. Income is calculated for purposes of yield quotations in accordance with standardized methods applicable to bond funds. In general, interest income is reduced with respect to bonds trading at a premium over their par value by subtracting a portion of the premium from income on a daily basis, and is increased with respect to bonds trading at a discount by adding a portion of the discount to daily income. For a Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, income and expenses are calculated first in their respective currencies, and converted to U.S. dollars either when they are actually converted or at the end of the period, whichever is earlier. Capital gains and losses are generally excluded from the calculation, as are gains and losses from currency exchange rate fluctuations.

The Fund may, from time to time, include the current yield or effective yield in advertisements or reports to shareholders or prospective investors. These performance figures are based on historical results calculated under uniform SEC formulas and are not intended to indicate future performance.

Yield refers to the income generated by an investment in the Fund over a seven-day period, expressed as an annual percentage rate. Effective yields are calculated similarly, but assume that the income earned from the Fund is reinvested in the Fund. Because of the effects of compounding, effective yields are slightly higher than yields.

With respect to the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, yields and effective yields for each class of shares of the Fund used in advertising are based on a seven-day base period. A yield quotation is computed by determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one share at the beginning of the period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting deductions from shareholder accounts, and dividing the difference by the value of the account at the beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return, and then multiplying the base period return by 365/7 with the resulting yield figure carried to at least the nearest 0.01%. An effective yield quotation, carried to at least the nearest 0.01%, is computed by determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one share at the beginning of the period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting deductions from shareholder accounts, and dividing the difference by the value of the account at the beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return, and then compounding the base period return by adding 1, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7, and subtracting 1 from the result.

Because yield accounting methods differ from the methods used for other accounting purposes, the Fund’s yield may not equal its distribution rate or income reported in the Fund’s financial statements. Yields and other performance information may be quoted numerically, or in a table, graph or similar illustration.

TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS

Total returns quoted in advertising with respect to shares of a Fund reflect all aspects of the Fund’s return, including the effect of reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the net asset value per share over the period. Average annual total returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical historical investment in shares of the Fund over a stated period, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. For example, a cumulative return of 100% over ten years would result from an average annual total return of 7.18%, which is the steady annual total return that would equal 100% growth on a compounded basis in ten years. While average annual total returns are a convenient means of comparing investment alternatives, investors should realize that a Fund’s performance is not constant over time, but changes from year to year, and that average annual total returns represent averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the Fund.

 

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The one-year, five-year, ten-year and since inception total returns for each of the Funds through October 31, 2022 are set forth below.    

 

NAME

   1 YEAR      5 YEARS      10 YEARS      ANNUALIZED
RETURN SINCE
INCEPTION*
     INCEPTION DATE  

PAYDEN FUNDS

              

Investor Share Class

              

Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund

     0.78        0.97        0.55           December 17, 1997  

Payden Limited Maturity Fund

     -0.41        1.39        1.13           April 29, 1994  

Payden Low Duration Fund

     -4.65        0.74        0.91           January 1, 1994  

Payden U.S. Government Fund

     -7.14        0.16        0.39           January 3, 1995  

Payden GNMA Fund

     -15.01        -1.55        -0.08           August 27, 1999  

Payden Core Bond Fund

     -16.43        -0.84        1.03           December 31, 1993  

Payden Strategic Income Fund

     -8.72        1.26           1.92        May 8,2014  

Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund

     -5.32        1.03           1.61        November 6, 2014  

Payden Corporate Bond Fund

     -19.53        -0.48        2.18           March 12, 2009  

Payden High Income Fund

     -10.45        2.89        3.89           December 30, 1997  

Payden Floating Rate Fund

     -1.10        2.60           2.91        November 11, 2013  

Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund

     -9.12        1.01        1.76           December 17, 1998  

Payden Global Low Duration Fund

     -4.55        0.81        1.02           September 18, 1996  

Payden Global Fixed Income Fund

     -13.49        -0.27        1.47           September 1, 1992  

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     -25.82        -3.19        0.45           December 17, 1998  

Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

     -19.76        -3.68        -3.01           November 2, 2011  

Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund

     -17.91        -0.53           2.21        November 11, 2013  

Payden Equity Income Fund

     -3.64        7.67        10.08           November I, 1996  

Adviser Share Class

              

Payden Core Bond Fund

     -16.70        -1.08        0.78           November 2, 2009  

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     -26.02        -3.43        0.20           November 2, 2009  

Payden Equity Income Fund

     -3.91        7.41        9.81           December 1, 2011  

SI Share Class

              

Payden Limited Maturity Fund

     -0.36              -0.19        June 30, 2021  

Payden Core Bond

     -16.36              -0.75        January 22, 2018  

Payden Strategic Income Fund

     -8.62        1.39           2.05        May 8, 2014  

Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund

     -5.10        1.27           1.81        November 6, 2014  

Payden Floating Rate Fund

     -1.01        2.72           3.03        November 11, 2013  

Payden Global Fixed Income Fund

     -13.37              -10.42        June 30, 2021  

Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund

     -25.76        -3.13        0.51           April 9, 2012  

Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund

     -17.93        -0.44           2.31        November 11, 2013  

Payden Equity Income Fund

     -3.59        7.75           8.61        August l, 2014  

Payden Managed Income Fund

              

SI Share Class

     -6.03        1.35        1.33           September 22, 2008  

Adviser Share Class

     -6.34        1.08        1.07           September 22, 2008  

Retirement Share Class

     -6.55        0.82        0.82           April 6, 2009  

Institutional Share Class

     -5.80        1.63           2.08        June I, 2016  

 

(*)

If less than ten years since inception. Returns under one year are unannualized

In addition to average annual total returns, a Fund may quote unaveraged or cumulative total returns for shares reflecting the simple change in value of an investment over a stated period of time. Average annual and cumulative total returns may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar amount, and may be calculated for a single investment, a series of investments, and/or a series of redemptions, over any time period. Total returns may be broken down into their components of income, capital (including capital gains and changes in share price) and currency returns in order to illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions to total return. Total returns, yields and other performance information maybe quoted numerically, or in a table, graph or similar illustration.


OTHER INFORMATION

CAPITALIZATION OF THE P&R TRUST

Each Fund listed below is a series of the P&R Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust in January 1992. The capitalization of each such Fund consists solely of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Board has currently authorized twenty series of shares of Payden Funds — the Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, Payden Limited Maturity Fund, Payden Low Duration Fund, Payden U.S. Government Fund, Payden GNMA Fund, Payden Core Bond Fund, Payden Strategic Income Fund, Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund, Payden Corporate Bond Fund, Payden High Income Fund, Payden Floating Rate Fund, Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund, Payden Equity Income Fund, Payden Global Low Duration Fund, Payden Global Fixed Income Fund, Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund, Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund, and the Payden Managed Income Fund, and Payden Securitized Income Fund.

The Board has established one class of shares, the Investor Class, for each of the following Funds: Payden Cash Reserves Money Market Fund, Payden U.S. Government, Payden GNMA, Payden California Municipal Social Impact, and Payden Global Low Duration Funds.

The Board has established more than one class of shares for each of the following Funds, as indicated: (1) the Payden Managed Income Fund — the SI Class, the Adviser Class, the Retirement Class and the Institutional Class; (2) the Payden Core Bond and Payden Emerging Markets Bond Funds — the Investor Class, the Adviser Class and the SI Class; (3) the Payden Low Duration, the Payden Strategic Income, Payden Absolute Return Bond, Payden Limited Maturity, Payden Corporate Bond, Payden High Income, Payden Floating Rate, Payden Global Fixed Income, Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond, and Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond, and Payden Securitized Income Funds. — the Investor Class and the SI Class.

The Board may establish additional funds (with different investment objectives and fundamental policies) and additional classes of shares at any time in the future. Advisory and administrative fees will generally be charged to each class of shares based upon the assets of that class. Expenses attributable to a single class of shares will be charged to that class. Establishment and offering of additional portfolios will not alter the rights of the Funds’ shareholders. Shares do not have preemptive rights or subscription rights. All shares, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable by the P&R Trust. The Board may liquidate a Fund at any time without shareholder approval. In liquidation of a Fund, each shareholder is entitled to receive his or her pro rata share of the assets of the Fund.

Expenses incurred by the P&R Trust in connection with its organization and the initial public offering are being reimbursed to Payden, subject to the expense limitation described in the Prospectus under “Investment Adviser”, and amortized on a straight line basis over a period of five years. Expenses incurred in the organization of subsequently offered series of the P&R Trust will be charged to those series and will be amortized on a straight line basis over a period of not less than five years.

MASTER TRUST AGREEMENT OF THE P&R TRUST

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Fund could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of that Fund. However, the Master Trust Agreement disclaims liability of the shareholders of a Fund for acts or obligations of the P&R Trust, which are binding only on the assets and property of the Fund, and requires that notice of the disclaimer be given in each contract or obligation entered into or executed by a Fund or the Board. The P&R Trust Master Trust Agreement provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of a Fund. The risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations and thus should be considered remote.

 

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